Posts Tagged ‘Risk Factor’

Heart Patient Diet Plan-Two Easy Tips to Heart Health

Sunday, July 17th, 2011
Fresh vegetables are important components of a...

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The best way to prevent heart problems in the future is to begin now by keeping your heart healthy. It’s actually pretty easy to do if are willing to make a commitment.

I just was reading a recent article about what a healthy heart diet plan looks like along with a couple of easy things a person can do to include it in their lifestyle. Below are a few brief excerpts from the article.

What Does A Healthy Heart Diet Consist Of And What Health Benefits Will You Gain By Following One?

By 

To keep the body working, you need to have a healthy heart. It is the main organ of the body and when your heart is not functioning well, it means that your health is at risk. In America, diseases related to the heart are a leading cause of death. In fact, a healthy heart diet can prevent all of these things from happening.

Taking good care of yourself especially with what you are eating can result in a healthy heart. Below you are about to find out on what comprises a healthy heart diet.

Exercise is one of the essentials for a healthy heart. It is through exercise that you maintain normal heart function and burn excess fats that can cause cholesterol build up blocking your arteries.

Getting into a regular exercise regimen guarantees a healthy lifestyle and of course a healthy heart.

With regard to your exercise regimen, different bodies require different exercise regimens; therefore, you need to consult your fitness instructor on what is the appropriate exercise regimen for you.

When you need to lose weight because of excess fat, which is a risk factor for cholesterol build up, your goal in exercising is really to lose that excess fat.

On the other hand, the counterpart of exercise is a healthy heart diet. It is essential to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Surprisingly, a person who maintains a healthy diet will not be susceptible to heart disease even when they age. Avoiding cholesterol-rich foods is the first thing that you need to do.

There was lots of other good things in this article you will want to take a look at. To read the article in its entirety, go to http://ezinearticles.com/?What-Does-A-Healthy-Heart-Diet-Consist-Of-And-What-Health-Benefits-Will-You-Gain-By-Following-One?&id=5512808

 

To Your Heart’s Health,

Monique Hawkins

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Heart Disease Treatment Tips – Six Tips for Successful Heart Disease Prevention

Monday, May 16th, 2011

Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death in most of the developed world. The incidence of cardiovascular problems continues to rise. Some blame it on the stress of modern life, the abundance of unhealthy food, the pollution in the water we drink, and the air we breathe. While these problems all are have a part, many times it comes down to individual lifestyle choices that people make. Let’s look at 6 tips that will help put you in control of your health!

Tip #1: Listen to your doctor. If you have some developing risk factors for heart disease, your doctor will have suggestions for you to follow. You may be given medications as well. It is extremely important to take them as prescribed. High blood pressure, high cholesterol and other cardiovascular problems are all “silent.” You don’t feel anything until it is too late. There is no saying, “Well, I feel fine today so I’m not taking my medication.” You doctor knows what she/he is doing so follow their instructions. If you don’t like them and care to go the supplement route, you can always get another opinion.

Tip #2: Don’t miss appointments using the same faulty reasoning. Sure, you do feel fine, but it’s important to keep a close eye on any cardiovascular problems. You doctor will recommend tests or screenings that monitor your progress. Adjustments to medications are commonly done to make sure your progress is optimal. As cholesterol is normalized, you may be able to take less medicine and rely more on correct diet and exercise to control this heart disease risk factor.

Tip #3: Your doctor can’t do it all. It is up to you to make those recommended lifestyle changes and stick with them. Giving up old habits and starting new ones can be rough, so think of some create ways to encourage your success. Lots of people enjoy journaling or keeping a record book of their diet and exercise changes. An attractive journal with daily entries can help keep you motivated. When you see your progress, you are reminded of the reason why you are making these changes. This gives you have a sense of ownership of the situation.

Tip #4: If you check your blood pressure at home or while shopping, write it down in your journal too. Remember that blood pressure readings can vary greatly throughout the day. What you are looking for is a pattern or an average of your readings. Don’t take your blood pressure during times of stress or right after heavy exercise. Sit and relax for at least 15 minutes before taking you blood pressure. Your doctor will help you learn to take accurate readings.

Tip #5: Look for ways to increase your movement. A sedentary lifestyle is a major risk factor in heart disease. Do you really have to drive those two blocks to the post office? Try walking instead. Every little bit of extra movement gets the blood flowing and helps with circulation. Instead of emailing or calling your co-worker just down the hall, get up and take a walk down to communicate with them.

Tip #6: Stay current on the latest developments in heart research. New studies are reported in the media almost daily. Yes, you’ll find conflicting research, so be aware that what studies show today may change by next year. There is a great amount of useful material and new discoveries that can help you take care of your health and your heart.

All of these are simple heart disease prevention tips you can follow that will keep your heart healthy.

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

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Heart Disease Prevention Tip – How Pets Can Help Your Heart Stay Healthy

Sunday, March 20th, 2011

There are many heart disease tips out there today. But, are you aware of all the health benefits pets can provide their owners? Numerous studies have shown the pets bring lots of benefits to their owners including stress reduction, increased survival rates after heart attacks and the ability to improve blood pressure levels.

One study showed that of those who had experienced a heart attack, a significant difference in mortality rates could be seen between the groups who owned pets and those who didn’t. Pet owners had only a six percent rate of mortality in the year after suffering a heart attack while 28 percent of non-pet owners died within a year. Pretty astonishing!

A study concerning dental patients found that spending time watching the almost hypnotic movements of aquarium fish had real benefits. Not only did the patients tend to relax, they also had a drop in blood pressure. The same results have been found when people pet dogs.

Having an aquarium or a pet dog provides numerous opportunities during every day to spend a few minutes with your full attention on your pets, bringing your blood pressure down. It is well known that high blood pressure can be a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease including heart attacks and strokes. It can also lead to kidney function and vision loss. Although medications may be required, other methods of reducing blood pressure enhance the effects produced by medications alone.

Pets provide a type of emotional support that can be very healing. They love unconditionally and bring out their owners’ sense of caring for another being, focusing their attention and love on their wonderful companion. This relationship with a pet gives a sense of emotional safety and wellbeing that really can help healing begin.

Although it doe not seem to matter what type of pet a person has, birds, fish, reptiles, rabbits, and cats and dogs all bring the same benefits. An additional benefit of dogs is providing a good walking companion to get you out in the fresh air and walking several times a day. Be sure to choose a dog that is leash trained, or go together to an obedience class so the dog learns to walk well with you. Large dogs especially need to be trained to follow their owners’ lead, rather than taking the lead themselves. Both of you will experience the benefits of regular, gentle exercise!

Choose your pet wisely. Carefully consider your living space and lifestyle and pick a pet that will do well in your environment. All dogs need exercise every day so if you aren’t up to twice a day walks, pick a cat, a litter-trained rabbit, a perky bird or a lovely tank of fish. Even fish require regular maintenance of their living environment so be sure you can provide what your pet needs to keep them healthy and happy for a long time.

Modern medicine does not fully understand the reasons behind the significant effect that having a pet has on a person’s health, but they acknowledge that pets can prolong a person’s life and help the healing process. I think the majority of pet owners knew this already!

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

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Heart Patient Diet Plan – Why Garlic Helps Prevent Heart Disease

Sunday, December 19th, 2010
Allium sativum, Alliaceae, Garlic, bulbils; Ka...
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For over 3,500 years people have recognized the amazing healing powers of garlic. Writings from ancient Egypt tell of garlic’s powerful healing properties with its ability to cure over 22 diseases. The Egyptians recognized that garlic was indispensable in healing those with heart disease, lethargy, and even tumors. Clay representations of garlic have been found in Egyptian tombs which represented their desire for good health during the afterlife.

Originating in Central Asia over 6,000 years ago, garlic as a healing and culinary herb spread to Asia, Africa, and Europe. Folklore tells of garlic’s ability to ward off the Evil Eye and even vampires. Sounds odd to us, but these were just some of the things that got the blame for illnesses. So garlic’s ability to ward off these evils may actually be closely associated with its health benefits.

Garlic is a potent herb. The smell comes from the sulfur compounds that also provide many of the health benefits. Areas of the world where garlic is used routinely have a much lower incidence of cardiovascular disease than Western countries, especially the United States, where heart disease is the number one killer of both men and women.

Although there is some conflicting data, some studies have shown that garlic helps normalize cholesterol levels. The allicin in crushed garlic is believed to stop the oxidation of LDL, a factor that leads to atherosclerosis. The antioxidant properties help protect blood vessels from the oxidative damage caused by free radicals, one of the main factors in atherosclerosis.

Garlic is also used to lower high blood pressure. Hypertension is one of the biggest risk factors in developing serious heart problems including heart attack, heart failure, and stroke. Garlic also thins the blood, helping it to flow freely. Another risk factor in heart disease is blood sugar levels that are too high. Garlic is effective in lowering blood sugar and aids in preventing late-onset diabetes.

There is a growing body of evidence that links bacteria responsible for periodontal disease to heart disease. Medical science has not determined yet the exact mechanism for this correlation, but there definitely is one. Garlic comes to the rescue again. One of the primary benefits of garlic is its strong antibacterial and anti-viral properties. The natural antibiotic nature of garlic helps the body fight infection. Whether it is periodontal disease, the flu, a cold or any other infectious illness, garlic has been shown to be as effective as many modern medications. Long used to fight serious diseases, it was utilized for typhoid, tuberculosis, and even the plague.

Although garlic supplements are an easy and less smelly way to get your garlic, adding high-quality garlic powder to recipes and sprinkling it on salads or sandwiches is an inexpensive and effective way to add garlic to your daily routine. Some of the benefits are lost with heat so add crushed garlic to soups and stews at the end of cooking.

Garlic can indeed help prevent heart problems. Make sure you include some in your diet each day!

To Your Heart’s Heatlh!
Monique Hawkins 540-858-2885 Skype: Monique371
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Heart Patient Diet Plan-How Garlic Can Help Prevent Heart Disease

Monday, December 13th, 2010
Allium sativum, Alliaceae, Garlic, bulbils; Ka...
Image via Wikipedia

For as long as 3,500 years, and probably much longer than that, people have recognized the amazing healing powers of garlic. Writings from ancient Egypt tell of garlic’s powerful healing properties with its ability to cure over 22 diseases. The Egyptians recognized that garlic was indispensable in healing those with heart disease, lethargy, and even tumors. Clay representations of garlic have been found in Egyptian tombs, to provide for good health during the afterlife.

Originating in Central Asia over 6,000 years ago, garlic as a healing and culinary herb spread to Asia, Africa, and Europe, primarily in the Mediterranean area. Folklore tells of garlic’s ability to ward off the Evil Eye and even vampires. Sounds odd to us, but these were just some of the things that got the blame for illnesses, so garlic’s ability to ward off these evils may actually be closely associated with its health benefits.

Garlic is a potent herb, the smell come from the sulfur compounds that also provide many of the health benefits. Areas of the world where garlic is used routinely have a much lower incidence of cardiovascular disease than Western countries, especially the United States, where heart disease is the number one killer of both men and women.

Although there is some conflicting data, some studies have shown that garlic helps normalize cholesterol levels. The allicin in crushed garlic is believed to stop the oxidation of LDL, a factor that leads to atherosclerosis. The antioxidant properties help protect blood vessels from the oxidative damage caused by free radicals, one of the main factors in atherosclerosis.

Garlic is also used to lower high blood pressure. Hypertension is one of the biggest risk factors in developing serious heart problems including heart attack, heart failure, and stroke. Garlic also thins the blood, helping it to flow freely. Another risk factor in heart disease is blood sugar levels that are too high. Garlic is effective in lowering blood sugar and aids in preventing late-onset diabetes.

There is a growing body of evidence that links bacteria responsible for periodontal disease to heart disease. Medical science has not determined yet the exact mechanism for this correlation, but there definitely is one. Garlic comes to the rescue again. One of the primary benefits of garlic is its strong antibacterial and anti-viral properties. The natural antibiotic nature of garlic helps the body fight infection. Whether it is periodontal disease, the flu, a cold or any other infectious illness, garlic has been shown to be as effective as many modern medications. Long used to fight serious diseases, it was utilized for typhoid, tuberculosis, and even the plague.

Although garlic supplements are an easy and less smelly way to ingest it, adding high-quality garlic powder to recipes and sprinkling it on salads or sandwiches is an inexpensive and effective way to add garlic to your daily routine. Some of the benefits are lost with heat so add crushed garlic to soups and stews at the end of cooking.

To Your Heart’s Health

Monique Hawkins
540-858-2885
mentormonique@gmail.com

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Women’s Women’s Heart Attack-How to Act Now to Live Longer

Monday, November 16th, 2009

Can you reverse and even prevent having a heart attack? The answer is yes, with positive actions and lifelong habits that will keep you healthy. The following list of important lifestyle habits will show you many factors that will keep your heart healthy and working fine.

One of the most important ways to prevent heart disease is to get moving. Exercise lowers inflammation, helps to take off weight and redistribute weight, and also reduces the feeling of stress. If you cannot do a full out 90 minutes at one time, spread the exercise out over seven days, and make the commitment to do this every week. Studies have found that exercise does not have to be done all at one time to be beneficial. The key is to have the regular exercise and not to miss working out in a manner that makes you feel good. This could be aerobic, such as tennis or basketball or it could be weight lifting or house cleaning. You can even vary the exercise week by week and keep your weekly exercise fun.

Controlling blood pressure is another important issue to many Americans. A high blood pressure will make your heart work harder and can create a major risk factor in having a heart attack if not controlled. Have your doctor check your blood pressure with each visit and also make sure that his recommendations are followed. He may recommend exercise, a prescription, or other general health ideas because he knows your whole health outlook. Listen to his thoughts and take action as blood pressure is very important to your overall heart health.

An often overlooked way to control your risk of a heart attack is as simple as staying calm. A person who is constantly worrying about things they cannot control is a person who has a chance of developing heart disease. You can lower stress in many ways, find the right way for you. Maybe it’s a walk in a garden, writing in a journal, or listening to music that you like. Whatever it is, try to end each day with a calming activity. When feeling nervous practice thinking calming thoughts and reducing stress.

Diet can also contribute to heart disease. We all know to limit fat in our diet and to get our cholesterol checked regularly. You want the good, or HDL, levels to be high and the bad, or LDL, to be low. Reducing Trans fats and hydrogenated oils will get the cholesterol levels that are recommended by your doctor.

Reading a food label becomes important to overall health and especially to preventing heart disease. Eat low in fat and cholesterol. Every label in the grocery store is written for a person on a 2,000 calorie a day diet. Adjust your daily intake to meet your nutrition goals. You will want to keep fat to 20-30% of your daily calories and carbohydrates to about 130 per day. It is important to eat whole grains as they not only prevent heart disease but help in maintaining and preventing diabetes. Keeping salt or sodium content within a normal range of about 2,000 mg a day will help a great deal to prevent heart and stroke problems.

Overall, there is no reason not to take simple steps to maintain your heart and general health. Some of these recommendations are simple to incorporate into your daily living and most can become a habit very easily. Remember, no one else cares as much about your body as you should. It is the only one you have and it is your decisions that will influence the quality of your life now and in the future.

Remember to sign up for my “You Deserve to Have A Healthy Heart” newsletter.

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

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Heart Disease and Women-Heart Disease and Your Weight

Friday, October 23rd, 2009

Many factors contribute to women having heart disease. Did you know that you should be very careful with your weight if you don’t want to develop this very serious disease? Here is why.

Heart Disease and Your Weight

By Jennifer R. Scott, About.com

Updated: December 08, 2008
http://weightloss.about.com/od/obesityhealth/a/heartdisease.htm

What is Heart Disease?
Heart disease is a number of abnormal conditions affecting the heart and the blood vessels in the heart. Types of heart disease include coronary artery disease, heart failure, and arrhythmia. The most common form of heart disease is coronary artery disease, a narrowing or blockage of coronary arteries, which is the major reason people have heart attacks.

How Prevalent is Heart Disease?
According to the Centers for Disease Control, heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States and is a major cause of disability. In 2002, almost 700,000 people died of heart disease, just over half of which were women. These statistics mean that nearly 30% all U.S. deaths were due to heart disease.

Heart disease has been the deadliest health condition for women for 100 years. According to the American Heart Association, heart disease has been the leading killer of adult females since 1908.

How is Weight Connected to Heart Disease?
Overweight is considered a major risk factor for both coronary heart disease and heart attack. Being 20% overweight or more significantly increases your risk for developing heart disease, especially if you have a lot of abdominal fat. The American Heart Association has found that even if you have no other related health conditions, obesity itself increases risk of heart disease.

Being sedentary causes heart disease risk to increase, possibly even more so for women -– inactive females are more likely to become diabetic, have high blood pressure and/or high cholesterol. All three of these conditions increase the chance of developing heart disease.

Apples vs. Pears
Your risk of developing heart disease may be heightened even more by the way your weight is distributed on your body. Being overweight and “apple-shaped” — meaning you carry most of your excess weight in your abdominal area — is considered riskier than being overweight and “pear-shaped.” Apple-shaped individuals also have many other increased health risks including high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, diabetes, and stroke.

To find out if your waistline increases your risk of heart disease, you can measure yourself with a measuring tape. You may need a partner to help you measure accurately. The measurement should be taken at the narrowest part of your waist. A high-risk waistline is 35 inches or higher for women and 40 inches or higher for men.

What You Can Do
The good news is, reducing your weight by just 10% can begin to lower your risk of developing heart disease and other obesity-related health problems. Heart disease can often be connected to “known risk factors” with being overweight considered a “modifiable” risk factor (a risk you can do something to prevent). Age and race, on the other hand, are “nonmodifiable” risk factors.

In addition to managing your weight, you can reduce your chances of developing heart disease by controlling other related risk factors such as: controlling your blood pressure, lowering your cholesterol, quitting smoking and getting enough exercise.

A healthy diet is also an important part of lowering your risk of heart disease. The American Heart Association recommends a diet that contains no more than 30% of daily calories from fat. For example, if you eat a diet of 2,000 calories per day, no more than 600 calories should come from fat.

To assess your caloric intake and recommended calories from fat, visit My Fat Translator, a Web site from the American Heart Association.

To learn more about heart disease, visit The American Heart Association or About.com’s Heart Disease site.

Sources:

American Heart Association. Diseases & Conditions. 1 February 2008.

American Heart Association. Obesity & Overweight. 1 February 2008.

Centers for Disease Control. CDC Heart Disease. 7 February 2008.

Centers for Disease Control. CDC Deaths,Leading Causes for 2002. National Vital Statistics Reports 2005;53(17) as qtd. in DHDSP – Heart Disease – Facts and Statistics. 7 February 2008.

U.S. National Library of Medicine and National Institutes of Health/Medline Plus. Medline Plus: Heart Diseases 4 February 2008.

I hope you enjoyed the article! Also, remember to sign up for my “You Deserve to Have A Healthy Heart” newsletter.

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

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