Creating A Cholesterol Plan

A number of Americans have put their hearts into lowering their cholesterol. Yet a recent American Heart Association survey found that many adults with high cholesterol still don't realize that they have an increased risk of developing heart disease.

According to the survey, 50 percent of respondents with cholesterol levels of 200 or greater, and who had risk factors such as high blood pressure or diabetes, did not perceive themselves to be at high risk for cardiovascular disease. Fifteen percent believed they were at low risk. However, the American Heart Association and National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) data indicate that many of these respondents are in danger of having a heart attack within a decade.

Cholesterol guidelines established by both groups show that people with multiple risk factors-smoking, high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, etc.-and people with coronary heart disease and other conditions are at high risk of having a heart attack within 10 years.

The findings are the focus of this year's American Heart Association's Cholesterol Low Down program, an effort meant to help teach people about their risk of heart disease. Anyone can join the program by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1 or visiting americanheart.org/cld. Participants receive a Healthy Heart Kit, which includes "The Cholesterol Low Down About Your Cholesterol" guide and a "Low-Fat Favorite Recipes" cookbook. The Cholesterol Low Down is sponsored by Pfizer.

"Patients know that cholesterol is important; however, they need to better understand that their high cholesterol and additional risk factors may lead to heart disease or a stroke," said Roger S. Blumenthal, M.D., associate professor of medicine in the Division of Cardiology at Johns Hopkins Hospital and School of Medicine in Baltimore.

Words Of Wisdom

The survey also found that 72 percent of respondents strongly agree that their health care provider is a partner in managing their cholesterol. Those who frequently discuss cholesterol with their health care provider report being well-informed about issues such as setting personal cholesterol goals and the importance of following treatment plans.

"Health care providers are an important and supportive resource for individuals at risk for heart disease and stroke because of their cholesterol and other risk factors, " said Lori Mosca, M.D., Director of Preventive Cardiology at New York-Presbyterian Hospital; Associate Professor of Medicine at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. "Patients should work with their doctor to learn if their cholesterol levels are healthy and to develop a plan that includes a healthy diet and physical activity to reduce their risk."

Creating A Personal Heart Health Profile Online

There's good news for those feeling the pressure to know more about high blood pressure and heart disease.

Nearly one in three adults has high blood pressure. Since the condition has no warning signs or symptoms, it's important to know your risk factors. High blood pressure management is imperative to reduce the incidence of coronary heart disease-the single largest killer of Americans.

Fortunately, a free online tool has been created that offers information and ways to create a personal heart health profile to let you know your personal treatment options.

The tool-called Heart Profilers-includes an integrated index of medical terminology to ensure that patients understand their condition and all treatment options. The tool can also connect interested patients, at their request, to nearby clinical trials so that they learn about qualifying for experimental treatment programs.

While anyone can develop high blood pressure, regardless of race, age or gender, it is possible to prevent and control high blood pressure by taking steps, such as maintaining a healthy weight, being physically active, following a healthy eating plan that emphasizes fruits and vegetables and low-fat dairy foods, and choosing and preparing foods with less salt and sodium.

About 70 percent of people who have a first heart attack and nearly 80 percent who have a first stroke have blood pressures higher than 140/90 mm Hg. A 10 percent decrease in blood pressure levels may result in an estimated 30 percent reduction in the incidence of coronary heart disease.

"Heart Profilers helps patients assess their risk for heart disease and offers them a list of treatment options," said Dr. Clyde Yancy, associate professor of medicine/ cardiology at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. "It's a major advance in online technology that has the potential to change the way patients and physicians interact with each other. This tool takes some of the mystery out of surfing the Web for health information."

In addition to high blood pressure, Heart Profilers also covers cholesterol, atrial fibrillation, heart failure and coronary artery disease. For more information, visit americanheart.org/heart profilers.

The American Heart Association also has a detailed site dedicated to high blood pressure

An Overview of Heart Disease

Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death in most developed countries around the world, and the number of cases is rising constantly as a result of both modern lifestyles and increased overall longevity. While developing the condition can have a devastating impact on the sufferer's life, modern medicine has developed several effective treatments for heart disease, ranging from drugs and lifestyle improvements right through to surgery.

Of course, prevention is always better than cure, so before we look at some of the symptoms of cardiac disease we'll look at some of the ways you can help your body ward off the risks.

Living a healthy lifestyle can go a long way to reducing the chances of developing cardiac problems, but there is unfortunately an element of inherited risk, so even those with excellent overall health may find that they're genetically programmed towards heart disease in later life. Thankfully, the greatest influence genetics has on heart disease is that of making us more susceptible to certain causes, and with careful adjustments of our lifestyles we can greatly improve our prospects of avoiding it.

The two most deadly contributors to cardiac problems are smoking and obesity. Both of these can raise blood pressure to dangerous levels, putting extra strain on the heart. Smoking causes the build up of fatty deposits within the arteries, also causing circulation problems. Being overweight also tends to mean that a healthy diet is not being followed, and so the body may well be short of essential minerals and nutriments that the heart needs to keep on functioning healthily.

Stopping smoking and other unhealthy practices such as excessive drinking, along with improving diet and taking up exercise to reduce weight can go a long way towards averting problems.

The symptoms of a developing heart problem can be both subtle and dramatic. Unfortunately, many of the symptoms can also signify other less dangerous conditions, and so a diagnosis of heart disease is often made later than it could have been. If you come across more than one of the symptoms below, then a trip to your doctor is highly advisable.

Breathlessness when engaged in physical exercise is normal to some extent for almost everyone, but if you find you're becoming breathless more and more easily then this is a clear sign that your general fitness levels aren't all they could be, and that your heart may be struggling under the pressure.

Palpitations, that is a heavily or unevenly beating heart, can be a sign of anxiety or can come on after extreme exercise, but if neither of these situations apply then heart problems could well be the culprit.

A tingling feeling in bodily extremities such as fingers, toes or lips is often a sign that your cirulation system isn't delivering enough oxygen, again a sign of possible heart problems. Should your extremeities go on to develop a blueish colour then this is certainly not a good sign, and medical attention should be sought at once.

The final and most obvious sign of cardiac problems is a feeling of tightness or pain in the chest, a condition known as angina. If you feel chest pain with any regularity, even if not particularly severely, a medical check up is advisable to make sure you catch any problems as early as possible. Angina can be controlled very well by medication in many cases, and doesn't necessarily have to develop into full-blown heart disease.

In summary, living a healthy lifestyle while keeping an eye out for the symptoms will greatly reduce the risk of your life being devastated by heart disease.

10 Ways to Avoid a Heart Attack

A heart attack is known as a myocardial infarction. This occurs when the heart muscle is damaged or does not receive enough oxygen. Many cardiac related problems occur due to blockages in arteries that carry purified blood away from the heart to different parts of the body. Another cause is the formation of blood clots.

Very often, it is quite difficult to differentiate between a heart attack and heartburn. The common signs of a heart attack are a tightness, pain, or discomfort in the chest. Sweating, nausea, and vomiting that are accompanied by intense pressure in the chest. A radiating and intense pain in the chest that extends from the chest to the left arm. A shortness of breath for more than a few minutes.  If you have any of the above you must consult the doctor or go to the emergency rooms.

If you even think you are having a heart attack you must call for a cardiac care ambulance, and put under your tongue a sorbitrate or chew an aspirin. If you are allergic to aspirin don’t take one. At the hospital care will include rapid thrombolysis, cardiac catheterization, and angioplasty. They will also administer intravenously clot busting medications.

The risk factors for a heart attack include: smoking, diabetes, high levels of cholesterol, hypertension, family history of heart diseases, atherosclerosis, lack of exercise, obesity, and fast foods.

Reduce the risks of a heart attack by:

1. Quitting smoking.

2. Eating healthy. Avoid fatty foods, excess salt, and red meats.

3. Controlling high blood pressure and diabetes.

4. Ensuring regular exercise at least 30 minutes a day. Walking is most beneficial.

5. Preventing obesity. Doing all you can to maintain weight.

6. Choosing to live a healthy lifestyle.

7. Practicing meditation.

8. Doing regular relaxation and breathing exercises.

9. Undergoing periodic cardiac evaluations.

10. Including foods that are rich in anti-oxidants in your diet.

A killer disease, according to the American Heart Association approximately 58.8 million people in the US suffer from heart diseases. And, about 950,000 Americans die of heart ailments each year. Heart diseases and death from it can be prevented by maintaining your health. Find a balance in life between work and other activities, abandon the couch for the outdoors, don’t watch sports on television play sports instead and you can hope to live a long and fulfilled life.

Be a well informed and caring citizen, read all about heart diseases and preventive care at: University of Maryland Heart Center for Preventive Cardiology --http://www.umm.edu/heart/preventive.html; or the American Heart Association  --http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=1200000; or the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion -- http://www.cdc.gov/doc.do/id/0900f3ec802720b8/ .

The norm prevention is better than cure could lead a whole nation towards good health and well being.

10 Common Symptoms And Signs Of High Blood Pressure

High Blood pressure is the measure of force against arteries. Do you have high blood pressure? Do you know what are common symptoms and signs of high blood pressure? This article will give you comprehensive information about common signs and symptoms of high blood pressure.

Usually people ignore high blood pressure. Even those who take medicine, only take anti hypertensive medication for short time. Studies have proved that 90% of high blood pressure patients show non compliance with their medication. If you will not control your blood pressure it may lead to serious problems with your Heart, Kidneys, Brain and Eyes. If you want to save these vital organs , then you will have to control your blood pressure with in limits.

Normal blood pressure is 120/80. If this reading goes above 140/90, then you consider yourself as a hypertensive patient. Between 120 and 140 is a pre hypertensive stage. which can be controlled even by natural measures like exercise, low salt intake, stop smoking, lower cholesterol, eat vegetables etc.

How will you come to know that you have high blood pressure?
High blood pressure typically has no symptoms at all, that is why we can call it as Silent killer. Although there are many coincidental symptoms that are widely believed to be associated with high blood pressure. These include headaches, nosebleeds, dizziness, a flushed face and fatigue. Although people with high blood pressure may have many of these symptoms, they occur just as frequently in those with normal blood pressure. Why these symptoms occur, If a person has high blood pressure that is severe or longstanding and left untreated, symptoms such as headache, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, shortness of breath, restlessness, and blurred vision can occur as a result of damage to the brain, eyes, heart and kidneys. In rare cases, high blood pressure may cause brain swelling, which can lead to drowsiness and coma.

Briefly Hypertension has following 10 common symptoms.
headache
Nosebleed (Epistaxis)
Breathlessness
tinnitus(Ringing in Ears)
sleepiness, Ansomnia
confusion
Fatigue
profuse sweating
vomiting
low libido or lack of sexual desire
Blurred vision

If you have not above symptoms, it does not mean that you have no high blood pressure. Remember most common symptom of high Blood pressure is that " It Has No Symptom". Best way to keep you healthy is to have your blood pressure checked at regular intervals.
Wish you all the good health.

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ARE NATURAL HOME REMEDIES RIGHT FOR YOU?

You  have  likely  seen  an  increase  in  health  food  stores  in  your  area  and  talks  about  natural  home  cures. Vitamins,  minerals  and  all-natural  treatment  for  ailments  such  as  dandruff,  memory  loss  and  acne  are  regular items  at  these  neighborhood  retail  stores.  The  truth  of  the  matter  is  as  more  and  more  natural  treatments  are being  discovered,  so  there  are  an  increased  number  of  people  using  them.    

Medicinal  doctors  are notwithstanding  getting  on  board  by  and  large. A number  of  people  are  of  the  view  that  there  is  no  need  for  natural  home  cures.  Antibiotics,  pain medications  and  antivirals  exist,  so  why  even  consider  natural  home  cures?

Ordinarily,  the  natural  cure  is  better  for  the  body,  as  well  as  much  less  expensive  also.  If  you  have  ever suffered  toenail  fungus  you  already  know  that  the  prescribed  treatment  will  cost  a  minimum  of  $150,  -  per month  for  up  to  a  year.  That  comes  out  to  a  total  of  $1800  dollars  for  the  treatment  of  a  relatively  minor condition,  which  is  good  news. Most  prescribed  treatments  are  successful  in  under  40%  of  the  cases.  

Now  and  again  the  symptoms  from  the medications  are  more  terrible  than  the  illness  itself.  Liver  failure  and  even  death  are  known  to  come  from  the use  of  prescription  treatments  for  toenail  fungus,  consequently  the  Food  and  Drug  Administration  obliges doctors  to  screen  liver  capacity  in  patients  they  endorse  toenail  fungus  medications  for. On  the  other  side,  the  natural  home  solutions  for  toenail  fungus  incorporate  warm  foot  soaks,  vitamin  C,  E and  calcium  supplements,  and  additionally  zinc,  magnesium  and  iron,  which  are  all  regular  supplements.  You may  likewise  be  encouraged  to  eat  more  fish  oil,  olive  oil  or  flax-seed  oil.  

As  you  will  see  these  are  all  normal substances  that  you  will  see  quite  easily  at  your  neighborhood  retail  store  or  health  food  store,  and  the  best part  is  when  utilized  mindfully  there  are  no  harmful  reactions. Natural  home  remedies  are  not  new.  Herbs  have  been  mulled  over  for  eras  as  could  reasonably  be  expected and  found  to  be  cures  for  a  wide  range  of  ailments.  Analysts  have  even  discovered  cave  drawings  portraying the  utilization  of  neighborhood  plants  as  treatment  for  primitive  man.  It  is  suspected  that  people  watched  the activities  of  creatures  in  the  wild  for  hints  about  legitimate  herbs  for  sicknesses.  Professionals  found  that when  creatures  in  the  wild  were  sick  they  would  eat  astringent  herbs  that  they  typically  stay  away  from.  This prompted  numerous  leaps  forward  in  normal  medications  throughout  the  years. The  vital  thing  to  recollect  when  considering  regular  cures  is  to  utilize  judgment  skills.  

Any  substance  that  is mishandled  can  possibly  be  unsafe.  An  overdose  of  iron  for  instance  can  be  as  deadly  as  taking  an  excess  of sleeping  pills.  All  things  considered,  in  the  event  that  you  utilize  astuteness  as  well  as  contact  a  home  grown expert  you  don't  have  anything  to  stress  over  with  natural  home  cures.  Save  yourself  money  and  possible  side effects  with  the  aid  of  substances  that  occur  naturally  in  order  to  treat  common  ailments.