Posts Tagged ‘Low Density Lipoproteins’

Congestive Heart Disease-4 Easy Tips to Prevent It

Sunday, March 27th, 2011

Congestive heart disease is a growing problem in our society. However, there is good news. If you are someone who has developed congestive heart disease, it runs in your family, or you just want to know how to prevent it, there are lifestyle changes you can do to develop a healthy heart. Here are 4 easy tips to prevent it from Mr. Andrew Bicknell.

Preventing Congestive Heart Disease
By Andrew Bicknell

For most people who have it congestive heart disease is preventable or even reversible if caught early enough. Its causes and effects are directly related to lifestyle choices and in some cases to other underlying diseases that can cause it symptoms. Smoking, obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, physical inactivity, metabolic syndrome, and diet are all risk factors for this most deadly of diseases.

These risk factors can cause atherosclerosis, which are lesions in blood vessels. This can lead to arteriosclerosis, which is a thickening, hardening, and calcification of arterial walls leading to a decreased blood supply. This affects the ability of the heart to do its job in an efficient manner. These risk factors can also damage the heart, weakening the muscle itself.

Preventing congestive heart disease is a matter of living a healthy lifestyle. By following some rather simple rules the majority of people can keep this disease from ever touching their lives. Here are some things to consider in the fight against this disease.

Tip #1: Eat oatmeal every morning. There are studies that show that oatmeal helps remove excess fat from the body. Not only is it good for your heart but it is high in fiber and complex carbohydrates, helping to provide sustained energy through out the morning.

Tip #2: Eat more Omega 3 fatty acids. These come from fish in the form of fish and are known to fight LDL (low-density lipoproteins) cholesterol and lower triglyceride levels.

With this in mind it makes sense to eat more fish, like salmon, that are high in Omega 3s. These types of fish contain no bad cholesterol, unlike red meat. If you do eat red meat stick with lean cuts to help cut down on the fats and bad cholesterol that is known to clog and harden arteries, which is a leading cause of congestive heart failure.

Tip #3: Getting daily exercise is also a good way to keep the affects of congestive heart disease at bay. Cardiovascular exercise keeps the heart strong and healthy. The heart is essentially a muscle and needs to be worked as such. If your overall body condition is weak chances are the heart is weak as well. Aerobic exercise works the entire cardiovascular system, including the heart, lungs, and circulatory system. It can be as simple as going for a walk or as you get stronger jogging, biking, or even swimming.

Tip #4: Learning to relax is the last thing you can do to help prevent congestive heart disease. Stress is known to increase the risk of congestive heart failure so taking time to de-stress is important in fighting this disease.

To learn more about congestive heart disease please visit the website Heart Disease by clicking here http://heart-disease.health-choices-net.com/Congestive-Heart-Disease.html

Andrew wrote about some very easy tips any of us can follow to prevent congestive heart disease from developing. Take some time and begin to implement at least one tip and you will be well on your way to keeping your heart healthy!

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

Heart Disease Treatments-The Good and Bad of Cholesterol

Tuesday, November 24th, 2009

Cholesterol is a fat-like substance circulating in the blood. The body needs a certain amount to maintain cell membranes and perform other vital functions, but high levels lead to blocked arteries which can cause a heart attack. Cholesterol is carried in the blood by two types of protein: low density lipoproteins (LDL) which carry three-quarters of the cholesterol, and high density lipoproteins (HDL). Total blood cholesterol is measured, and separate measurements are taken of LDL (bad) cholesterol and HDL (good) cholesterol. High LDL and total cholesterol levels increase the risk of a heart attack, as does a low level of HDL (below 0.9 millimoles per litre). Doctors recommend keeping total cholesterol below 5.6 millimoles per litre, ideally around 5.2 millimoles per litre, and your HDL level as high as possible.

High cholesterol levels are often linked to a diet rich in the saturated fat found in animal foods such as beef, butter and whole-fat dairy products and in coconut oil, palm oil and hydrogenated oils used in processed foods. This theory is no longer widely accepted as cholesterol from food is poorly absorbed, and levels of blood cholesterol are affected mainly by the manufacture of cholesterol in the body, but the body’s production of cholesterol is certainly stimulated by high intakes of saturated fat. Excess weight, smoking and lack of exercise also contribute to high cholesterol levels. Genetic predisposition may also be a factor.

Along with dietary changed, Vitamins C and E and some effective herbal compounds can help control your cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of a heart attack. Try taking Vitamins E and C and garlic together. These are safe for long-term use even if you are taking a cholesterol-lowering prescription drug. Vitamin E does not lower your cholesterol directly, but raises levels of HDL cholesterol and prevents the first step in the build-up of coronary plaque. Vitamin C boosts the effectiveness of Vitamin E, and is also thought to increase the level of protective HDL cholesterol. Chromium helps to reduce “bad” cholesterol and raise “good” cholesterol in those people with diets high in refined foods. Diets lacking in cholesterol-reducing soluble fibre can benefit from the herb psyllium, or from oat bran, which has a similar action. Beta-sitosterol can be taken to reduce the absorption of cholesterol from food and from bile discharged by the liver into the intestine. Artichoke extract may prove to be an effective alternative to cholesterol-lowering medications.

If home remedies do not lower your total cholesterol sufficiently within two or three months, you may need to take prescription drugs. Conventional drugs reduce heart attack risk by up to 25%. Take regular exercise to raise your HDL level, and improve your diet by reducing saturated fats. Substitute oily fish for meat, eat high-fiber foods (grains, vegetables and fruit), and use olive oil and mono-unsaturated spreads in place of butter, and include soya protein (available as tofu and soya milk).

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To Your Success,
Monique Hawkins
540-858-2885
SKype: Monique371
mentormonique@gmail.com