Posts Tagged ‘Lifestyle Factors’

Congestive Heart Disease-Don’t Wait to Start a Prevention Plan

Sunday, May 1st, 2011

While a heart attack is caused by insufficient flow of oxygenated blood to the heart which causes damage to the heart muscle, heart failure results in inadequate blood flow to the body. The heart has been under so much stress from high blood pressure or other factors that it begins to enlarge and weaken.

Eventually, the flow of blood is so insufficient that symptoms of heart failure develop. These include swelling from fluid buildup in the extremities, fatigue and shortness of breath. It can take years for congestive heart failure to develop, and it isn’t until it is critical that many people begin to notice.

The key is not to wait until this silent disease creeps up on you. There is no known cure for congestive heart disease. Therefore, the time to start thinking about it and prevention is while you are still young and healthy. Two of the main contributing factors for congestive heart failure are stresses placed on the heart by hypertension and atherosclerosis. Keeping this in mind, developing and following a heart healthy lifestyle plan can go a long way in helping you prevent this deadly disease.

High blood pressure is not fully understood, and some studies show that women don’t respond to medications as well as men. Lifestyle factors can help lower high blood pressure and can even help people avoid medication. If you smoke, quit. Smoking constricts the arteries and increases high blood pressure. It is also believed to be a contributing factor to hardening of the arteries.

Most successful heart healthy plans focus on the positive rather than on restricted items. Set your mind to eating healthy foods. Plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits add an abundance of nutrients, fiber and artery protecting antioxidants to the diet. Lean meat and coldwater fish are good protein sources, but some of the healthiest cardiovascular systems belong to vegetarians! Whole grains, spices and herbs round out the diet. These same food help normalize blood pressure and prevent atherosclerosis, helping you prevent the occurrence of congestive heart disease.

An often-neglected area of concern is today’s overstressed lifestyle. This busy, noisy world, full of tasks to accomplish and environmental pollution takes its toll on our health and your cardiovascular system. There is considerably less debate in the medical profession today than there used to be about the benefits of being able to handle stress, both mental and physical. Try quiet meditation, contemplative walks, or yoga to distress yourself. Significant drops in blood pressure are seen when these activities become part of an everyday routine.

Do not forget exercise. Although there are hundreds of good exercise plans and plenty of advice regarding which routine is the most beneficial, studies have shown that any exercise is vastly better for your heart than no exercise. Find something you enjoy and can stick to and make it a part of your daily routine. If you enjoy yoga, try some of the more strenuous workouts. Jogging, walking, swimming and bicycling are all great ways to enjoyably exercise.

Yes, congestive heart disease is growing problem, but it does not have to be your problem. Do all you can today to make sure you heart stays healthy!

To Your Heart’s Health
Monique Hawkins
540-858-2885 anytime
Skype: Monique371

Heart Disease Treatments-How To Keep A Healthy Heart

Sunday, April 4th, 2010

The leading cause of death among North Americans continues to be cardiovascular disease. As lifestyle factors play such a major role in heart disease, it is important to understands some aspects of the disease and what you can do to prevent it.

The heart is a muscle in the body that like all muscles needs its own supply of blood in order to function. Working properly, it then pumps blood through the circulatory system, delivering oxygen and nutrients to the body and removing wastes such as carbon dioxide.

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)

Heart disease begins in many when plaque begins to build up in the arteries. This causes the arteries to become narrow thereby restricting the blood flow through them. As the blood flow is reduced, the amount of oxygen delivered to the heart is reduced. This tends to create pains in the chest, called angina. Heart attacks result when the blood flow to the heart is totally blocked.

Diets low in fat, high in fiber coming mainly from fruit and vegetables help the body respond to CAD. Omega-3 oils found in foods like cold water fish and flax seeds are of benefit for a healthy heart, as they are felt to inhibit the blood from becoming ‘sticky’ thereby limiting the likelihood of clots forming and may slow down the process of plaque formation. In addition, regular exercise and stress reduction are also beneficial.

Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)

Congestive heart failure and related forms of heart failure affect over five million North Americans. It is a condition in which the heart cannot adequately supply the body’s other organs with blood. While a serious condition, the word failure does not mean that the heart stops beating.

As the pumping action of the heart is decreased, the blood does not move efficiently through the circulatory system and starts to back up, which then causes an increase of pressure in the blood vessels, and forces fluid from the vessels into body tissue. When the left side of the heart starts to fail, fluid tends to collect in the lungs, while when the right side starts to fail, fluid tends to collect in the feet and lower legs.

People with congestive heart failure tend to tire easily, have shortness of breath and can experience fluid retention and swelling. Diabetes, obesity and sleep apnea are commonly associated with CHF.

As with CAD a low fat, high fiber diet is recommended along with treatment for associated diseases. CoQ-10, a powerful antioxidant, has been clinically shown to be of benefit to CHF patients. Though exercise may be difficult for people with CHF, it would still be of benefit and therefore one should consult with their health professional to determine what the possibilities might be.

High Blood Pressure

As a leading cause of heart disease, high blood pressure, often called hypertension, is a condition in which too much pressure is being exerted on the walls of the arteries. Called ‘the silent killer’ high blood pressure can be present without a person experiencing any apparent symptoms.

In about 90% of high blood pressure cases an associated cause is not known. This is defined as primary hypertension. If it results from another disease or condition, it is called secondary hypertension and often returns to normal when the originating cause is treated.

There are some factors that though not causes, are often associated with high blood pressure such as: CAD as previously discussed, arteriosclerosis which is hardening of the arteries, imbalances in organs such as the kidneys, lungs and liver, obesity, lack of exercise, sodium (salt) sensitivity, alcohol consumption, and various pharmaceutical drugs. (Note this is not a comprehensive list.)

Once again a heart-healthy diet containing plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and fish, while low in saturated fats, salt and sugar is recommended for people with high blood pressure. As exercise helps lower blood pressure a regular exercise routine should become part of the daily routine.

Chickpeas, beans, soy products, proteins found in garlic, and other antioxidants such as bilberry help improve lipids in the blood and lower cholesterol. Avocados and nuts have been shown to boost your ‘good’ cholesterol.

Finally, a heart-healthy lifestyle will limit the amount of alcohol consumed as it has been shown to have an affect on cholesterol levels. It is recommended that women consume no more than one drink per day and men no more than two. Smoking has also been linked to heart disease, so the sooner a person can quit the better.

To Your Success,

To Your Heart’s Health
Monique Hawkins
540-858-2885
mentormonique@gmail.com
Remember to sign up for my “You Deserve To Have A Healthy Heart” Newletter!

P.S. Vita Che is the ultimate Roto Rooter for your arteries, visit http://699456.shopvitamark.com

Women’s Heart Problems-The Connection Between Inflammation And Disease

Monday, December 21st, 2009

There are many reasons for women’s heart problems. However, few people realize the connection between inflammation and disease including heart disease. Here is what I mean by this.

As you are well aware, the human body is marvelously made with so many amazing intricacies and abilities. Amid its functioning is the work of the immune system to protect you.

Years ago, infection was the major cause of disease, including heart disease, and death. However, with advancement in personal hygiene and ways of preventing infection’s onslaught, deaths from this source declined. Today researchers have turned their attention to inflammation as the major factor in many chronic diseases, disabilities and deaths.

Inflammation is the body’s response to harm, which can result from bacterial, viral or parasitic infection, injury or trauma, stress, genetic abnormalities, metabolic disorders and even poor lifestyle choices, amongst other sources.

When the body is assaulted, the immune system kicks into gear. Immediately white blood cells are sent to the problem area to start destroying the damaged cells by secreting various inflammation-promoting chemicals. As such, these chemicals and the heat associated with them can cause the following symptoms: redness, swelling, warmth and pain. As well, flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, fatigue and aching may also be the result of inflammation.

The body’s normal and natural response to damage is called acute inflammation which is short-lived for the specific purpose it’s addressing. However, being overworked or impaired by things such as lifestyle factors, the immune system may either overreact or react inappropriately. In this state it loses its ability to tell good or healthy cells from bad or sick ones. As a result it starts to attack all cells of a particular type preventing that body system or region from ever healing. This causes chronic inflammation and gives rise to autoimmune diseases.

If the immune system attacks connective tissue the person is said to have lupus. If it attacks the beta cells of the pancreas, they are said to have Type 1 diabetes. If it attacks the joints they suffer from rheumatoid arthritis. Inflammation of the airways is called asthma, inflammatory skin reactions are known as eczema and an inflamed bowel lining is called ulcerative colitis (Crohn’s disease).

Cancer, fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, heart disease and women’s heart problems, Alzheimer’s, gum disease, allergies … and the list goes on, are all associated with chronic inflammation.

The saying ‘prevention is better than a cure’ can certainly stand its ground when you consider the above diseases. So what can be done on the preventative side? There are some simple, easy steps that taken daily can yield significant positive changes. If you follow these steps, the liklihood of your developing women’s heart problems, will be reduced.

1. Breathe Deeply. There is simply no other means of expelling body toxins faster.

2. Drink Enough Water. Many people are chronically dehydrated. To ensure you drink enough water, take your weight in pounds and divide it in half. Drink at least that amount in ounces per day. Drinking water will not only give you an energy boost, it will help you eat less and more importantly, will help your body flush toxins out.

3. Eat Quality Nutrition. More than quantity, the body needs quality nutrition as its fuel. Most authorities agree that the quality of today’s food is lacking in providing what the body requires to function at an optimal level. Therefore taking a multi-vitamin and mineral supplement is recommended. Search around to find nutritionally dense whole-food supplements that are readily assimilated by the body.

4. Be Active. The body was created to move. Research has repeatedly shown that your body functions so much better when you are active on a regular basis. To increase the likelihood of staying active, find an activity that you enjoy doing, or find a friend that you can exercise with so you can encourage each other to keep at it.

5. Get Enough Rest. A sufficient amount of sleep is needed by the body for repair and regeneration. It is recommended that adults get between seven and a half to nine hours of sleep every night. Of course, non-interrupted, peaceful sleep is the ideal! It is also suggested that the room be as dark as possible – the darker the better.

6. Deal With Stress. Emotions, inner turmoil, negative thought patterns and the demands of everyday life all affect the body’s ability to function. People need to have coping mechanisms in place that allow them to be at peace with themselves and others. Without this, the body’s immune system is never given any down time for it to be rested and repaired.

7. Be Grateful. There is a lot to say for simply stopping and counting your blessing each day. Yes at times life seems to deal you more than seems fair, but even in those hard times if you can find it within yourself to be grateful, the positive impact it will have on you physically will be well worth the effort.

This is not a comprehensive list, but starting to implement these easy-to-do steps will certainly aid your body’s immune system. You will develop a healthy heart too and limit ever having any type of women’s heart problems!

Monique Hawkins
540-858-2885
mentormonique@gmail.com
Remember to sign up for my “You Deserve To Have A Healthy Heart” Newletter!