Health Blog | I Give You Health

Article by Debra Gropp

As a woman, do you really need to worry about heart disease? The answer is a resounding yes! Heart disease is the number one killer of American women. Though it is thought of as a men’s disease, more women than men die of heart disease each year.

Post-reproductive age women are most at risk. However, pre-menopausal women are also at risk for cardiovascular disease if they have cardiac risk factors such as smoking, hypertension, diabetes, elevated cholesterol and family history of premature cardiovascular disease.

HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOU HAVE HEART DISEASE?

Cardiovascular disease can be silent but usually has symptoms. Lack of blood flow to the heart muscle can cause symptoms of chest discomfort, shortness of breath, fatigue and sometimes palpitations and dizziness.

Talking to your doctor about your symptoms, along with good routine follow-up care are necessary first steps to determine if any further evaluation is necessary. Many cardiac risk factors can be controlled, modified or eliminated, including hypertension, diabetes, elevated cholesterol, smoking, obesity, and physical inactivity.

Chest pain has not been perceived to be the best signal that heart disease is really present. Chest pain can have different origins and women can experience uncharacteristic features of cardiac chest discomfort.

If a woman has palpitations (the sensation of fast and/or irregular heartbeat) or other symptoms such as dizziness or shortness of breath, she should inform her doctor. Your doctor can take a careful history and perform a physical exam.

HEART DISEASE RISK FACTORS

The three biggest risk factors for cardiovascular disease that can be prevented are:

*Cigarette smoking

*High blood pressure

*High blood cholesterol

Other contributing risk factors that can be present:

*Diabetes, or high blood sugar, raises the risk of coronary heart disease. The risk of death from heart disease is about three times higher in women with diabetes. Diabetic women also are more apt to have high blood pressure and high blood cholesterol.

*The risk of heart attack or stroke is higher for women who both smoke and use high-dose birth control pills (oral contraceptives).

*Excess body weight in women is linked with coronary heart disease, stroke, congestive heart failure, and death from heart-related causes. The more overweight you are, the higher your risk is for heart disease and many other ailments and diseases.

*Studies show that physical inactivity is a risk factor for heart disease. Heart disease is almost twice as likely to develop in inactive people as in those more active.

Just one risk factor will raise your chances of having heart-related problems. The more risk factors you have, the more likely you are to develop cardiovascular diseases.

HOW CAN YOU REDUCE YOUR RISK OF HEART DISEASE?

General recommendations to avoid heart disease:

*Quit smoking

*Cut back on foods high in fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol

*Check blood pressure and cholesterol levels

*Get more exercise

*Lose weight if you are overweight

Regular physical activity can help you reduce your risk of coronary heart disease. Being active helps women take off extra pounds, helps to control blood pressure, lessens the need for insulin, and boosts the level of *good* HDL-cholesterol.

CAN DIET AND EXERCISE REALLY MAKE A DIFFERENCE?

Following a low fat, low-cholesterol diet and a regular exercise plan are excellent health habits for all to follow. They help lower blood pressure and blood sugar. These are all factors that contribute to the development of arteriosclerosis (hardening and blockage of the blood vessels).

Physically active women have a much lower risk of heart disease than sedentary women. Being physically active does not necessarily mean an aggressive exercise regimen. It can be simple activities like daily walking, climbing stairs, gardening etc. Unfortunately, however, many women are physically inactive.

About the Author

Debra runs an online business, manages several blogs and writes articles pertaining to internet business, health, nutrition, and weight loss.

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Article by Hazel Blackthorne

The biggest and most infamous serial killer in America is not a clinical psychopath, it is heart disease. Heart disease has been steadily increasing since the 1950′s and seen a marked increase in the last 20 years. At one time or another someone’s life will be directly or indirectly affected by heart disease.

Below are 5 shocking facts that you should know about heart disease:

Fact One

In America alone there are over sixty million people who have one or more forms of heart disease. It we break that down into a ratio that is nearly one out of every four people with heart disease.

Fact Two

One out of every two deaths in America can be linked or directly caused by heart disease and stroke. These two diseases together have caused more deaths that all the other diseases combined together.

Fact Three

Many people think that driving can be dangerous however, you are ten times more likely to be killed by heart disease than being killed in a car accident. Although AIDS is a horrific you are thirty times less likely to die of it than you are with heart disease.

Fact Four

Heart disease is not fussy killer. Whether you are male or female heart disease does not discriminate. It also makes no difference to the color of your skin as heart disease is the biggest killer of both male and females in all ethnic and racial groups in America.

Fact Five

As well being the biggest cause of deaths heart disease costs a fortune. It is estimated that the average cost related to heart disease in America is approximately 300 billion dollars.

Even though heart disease is responsible for causing many deaths it is a preventable disease. The rise of heart disease has a lot to do with the life style that many people live today. More and more people are taking less exercise, they are eating too much and the food that they are eating is very unhealthy.The rise of the fast food culture has increased the levels of obesity in America to a stage that is soon becoming epidemic. People who are overweight or obese or at a much greater risk at developing and dying from heart disease.

As pointed out in many cases heart disease is preventable. If you are overweight or obese then you should seek help and begin to change your lifestyle. You can begin by cutting down on foods that are high in saturated fats. Eat a diet that is high in fresh vegetables and fruit and lean meats. A healthy diet should also be taken in conjunction with regular exercise. If you do this regularly you will help to reduce your risk of getting heart disease.

About the Author

Hazel Blackthorne has been writing articles for over 2 years on subjects he cares greatly about. Check out her new website at http://www.mosesbasketcovers.net / which provides information relating to moses basket fitted sheets and accessories.

Article by Protica Research

There has always been a disparity between men and women when it comes to heart disease. For years, it was thought that heart disease only affected men and that it was the rare woman who developed heart problems, let alone had a heart attack. We now know that heart disease does affect women, but that their heart attack symptoms are different from a man’s typical signs and are often more likely to be ignored. There are a number of steps that men and women cannot change that increase their risk for heart disease, including their family history and genetics. However, there are other factors that can be changed. Six updated guidelines are:

- Learn to relax, especially with meditation. Studies have shown a 47% reduction in death, heart attacks and strokes in those who started practicing mediation after being diagnosed with heart disease.

- Education for self, families and community.

- Work to reduce blood pressure by losing weight, exercising and taking medication if it is needed.

- Know your waist measurement. Doctors have long said to lose weight or to control body mass index (BMI). However, new studies suggest that knowing your waist’s measurement may be more indicative of the heart disease risk that you face. The larger your waistline, the more likely it is that you are carrying your weight in your midsection. This fat is linked to higher triglyceride levels and an increased risk of diabetes in addition to heart disease.

- Increase the amount of vitamin D that you get. Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to some forms of cardiovascular disease. Food sources include milk, salmon and fortified cereals. We also get vitamin D from the sun.

- Manage diabetes. Heart disease is the main cause of death for those with diabetes. 65% or more of those with diabetes will die from a heart problem or stroke. Diabetics are also two to four times more likely to have heart disease in the first place.

- Get enough sleep. The right amount of sleep every night can affect stress hormones, blood pressure and the metabolism.

(Source: BHG 2010)

Different Genders, Different Risks

When plaque builds up in a man’s arteries, it tends to block them off and cause obvious problems. However, recent studies have shown that when the same thing happens in a woman’s arteries, they just get bigger to accommodate both the plaque and the blood flow. Unfortunately, that means that the plaque is not being spotted by traditional tests that are only looking for blockages. The plaque accumulates over a lifetime, some believe starting during pregnancy. The buildup can cause symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath and fatigue, which is often misdiagnosed by most doctors as something other than heart disease. Because the testing methods that are currently being used do not spot a blockage, the women are not cautioned to be alert to heart attack or other symptoms and are therefore more likely to die from their heart disease than a man would. There is a newer test that is recommended that can look at the smaller and more subtle symptoms that could indicate early cardiovascular disease. This t

est, the myocardial contrast echocardiography, is noninvasive, relatively inexpensive and can see far more than the traditional tests ever could. Anyone with risk factors should find out if the testing is available in their area (Source: Altshul 2010)

How Losing Weight Can Help

Losing weight can help to keep the risk of heart disease reduced. In addition to reducing the risk of heart disease, losing weight can reduce the risk of diabetes, hypertension, kidney disease and some cancers. Losing weight may also make it easier to get the right amount of exercise, which in turn can help to lose more weight. Staying active may also help in preventing arthritis and may slow the progression of some mental conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia.

Even a small reduction in weight can be beneficial, especially in those who are apple shaped (small legs, larger midsections). Monitoring the waist to hip ratio may be even more important than keeping track of the body mass index.

Heart disease in women tends to start undetected and develop gradually and without notice but is also ironically more likely to result in their death. A man’s heart disease may present with problems fairly early and may not be fatal right away. In fact, a man may have several smaller heart attacks before he suffers a fatal one. A woman’s first heart attack is more likely to be her last.

Losing weight should never be about a fad or uncontrolled diet, which is also bad for the heart and the rest of the body as well. Sudden, large amounts of weight loss can throw the heart into abnormal rhythms, for instance, and may increase the risk of gall stones in those who are predisposed to them. It is also important to note that there are other problems noted with extreme weight loss, and it is equally important to note that the faster the weight goes, the more likely it will be to come back right away.

Healthy and Balanced Nutrition

The American Heart Association suggests that the best weight loss plan is one that stresses healthy foods and includes all of the major food groups. The aim should be to lose no more than one pound per week and to make gradual lifestyle changes. Getting the right amounts of carbohydrates, fats and proteins is important. Using the DASH diet might be helpful as well. DASH (dietary approaches to stop hypertension) is the diet plan that is given to those who are combating high blood pressure, but it can be perfectly beneficial to others as well. It emphasizes fresh fruits and vegetables, low-fat dairy products and reduced sodium intake.

Using a protein supplement as either a between-meal snack or a meal replacement can be a good way to help reduce weight without causing the deprivation and starvation of severe reduced-calorie diets. Protica and Proasis are liquid supplements from Protica. Both have high quality protein that is easily digested by the body and come in a number of sizes, including a 50 gram, double serving sized vial and a 200 gram, 10 serving bottle. All sizes can be consumed as is or can be mixed with juice or other food or beverages.

Proasis is the first all-natural liquid protein supplement for those who may be concerned with additives or have any kind of food allergy at all. Both come in a number of fruit-based flavors to make them more palatable than other protein supplements that are on the market. It is free from preservatives, lactose, fat, cholesterol, eggs, stimulants, aspartame, yeast, wheat and gluten. It can be either boiled or frozen without changing its basic makeup and can also be mixed with other foods or beverages to suit the needs of the consumer. Proasis is also available in a number of flavors and sizes for convenience.

References

Sara Altshul. The Gender Gap, Excerpted from Heart Healthy Living (Spring 2010) Better Homes and Gardens Magazine, February 2010

The Way to Live. The Health Better Column in Better Homes and Gardens Magazine, February 2010

The American Heart Association

About the Author

About Protica Research (http://www.protica.com) Founded in 2001, Protica, Inc. is a nutritional research firm specializing in the development of dense nutrition in compact forms. Protica manufactures Profect (http://www.profect.com), IsoMetric (http://www.isometric.com), Pediagro (http://www.pediagro.com), Fruitasia (http://www.fruitasia.com) and many other brands in its GMP-certified, 250,000 square foot facility. Copyright – Protica

Heart Attack Risk Factors address the two types of risk factors associated with heart attacks, factors that a person can control and factors they cannot. Knowing the risk factors is so important because having just one risk factor doubles a person’s chance of developing heart disease.
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Motivation from 1sexytina1 weight journey video motivated me to do this video and journey! Congestive heart failure and weight management.
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Article by Ricardo Lumbardo

What Heart Diseases Can Affect Your Dog?

Just as there are several heart diseases that can affect human beings, dogs are also vulnerable to a wide variety of canine heart diseases. Some heart problems in dogs are inborn, some are developed through their growing years, and some are developed when the dog gets older. The frequency of dog heart disease in older dogs is higher than those in younger dogs. Some heart problems in dogs are minor, but some are large-scale and can lead to complete heart failure. One of the most common heart disease that can affect your dog is patent ductus arteriosus. This occurs when the blood from the heart is returned to the heart, instead of being distributed all throught the dog’s body. In essence, this has to do with abnormal blood flow. This happens when there is an abnormality in the functions of the ducts that connect thee heart to the rest of the organs. There are also common heart diseases such as enlargement of the heart. On the other hand, the most serious kind of heart problem in dogs is CHF, known as Congestive Heart Failure, which basically refers to the weakening of the heart and inability to perform its functions. This can completely take the life out of your dog, not only through death, but also by limiting its abilities to engage in certain exercises.

Symptoms of Dog Heart Diseases

Symptoms of heart diseases in dogs can vary based on the type of disease. The usual symptoms include rapid or shallow breathing, coughing, and weakening during strenuous activities. Your dog may also suffer from a loss of appetite, and can even experience fainting in extreme curcumstances. If there are already basic symptoms, you can check if your dog’s gums are paler than usual. If you detect any symptoms, you should immediately get your dog diagnosed. There are many ways to do so, one of which is through cardiac ultrasound.

Treatment and Prevention of Canine Heart Diseases

Heart problems in dogs can be prevented through regular checkups and consultation with your veterinarian. Don’t wait for symptoms of any kind of disease to start showing. Remember to get regular checkups, and always ask your veterinarian about heart diseases. This way, the veterinarian can properly check. In case a heart problem is detected, the time of detection is very crucial. The earlier it is diagnosed, the better chances your dog has of fighting it through normal treatment options. Another reason why heart problems in dogs should be diagnosed early is that any kind of heart problem can also cause problems to other organs, due to the lack of enough blood, or abnormal blood flow. Aside from regular vet visits, you can also prevent canine heart diseases with a proper diet plan for your dog, which will keep away obesity, which actually plays a role in causing heart diseases in dogs. There are also available heart medications for dogs, but you have to be cautious when using them because most causes negative side effects to dogs. However, in severe cases, the only thing that can save a badly affected dog from a fatal heart problem is surgery. But since heart problems in dogs are very common, surgeries to treat canine heart diseases are often practiced and have a high rate of success.

About the Author

To learn more about American Bulldog and to find other high quality breeds, please visit http://www.11-peaks.com.

Article by 7daywheatgrass

Today, many of us have experienced a loved one dying or becoming deathly ill from Heart Disease or Cancer. Death is already hard enough to deal with, but these illnesses tend to make those who have them, suffer tremendously from pain and heartache for months and even years. Modern medicine has countless treatments to help fight against these diseases, but people continue to die at alarming rates. However, alternative medicine seems to prevail when conventional medicine has loss, and I will explain just how Wheatgrass juice can help you in your fight against heart disease and cancer.

In the year 2007 alone cancer was responsible for 7.6 million deaths. It affects people of all ages, and the risk increases with age. It is caused by tobacco smoke, carcinogens in our air and food, chemicals, radiation and infectious agents. You can also be genetically pre-disposed through “complex interactions between carcinogens and the host’s genome.”

Cancer affects your cells. The body cells begin to display uncontrolled growth and this abnormal cellular growth can invade other tissues and spread to other parts of your body. Some forms of cancer can be cured and/or removed from your body. For instance, most benign tumors can be removed fairly easy with a full recovery prognosis. However, around 7 million adults and children die annually from this disease, and some scientists predict that in the next 40 years, this number could double. It is very obvious that conventional medicine has failed horribly in the treatment and overall cure of Cancer. So, the question is how can we prevent and protect ourselves from Cancer?

Heart disease consists of many conditions including

Question by -: How does heart disease etc. cause downward curving fingernails?
Downward curving nails can be harmless or they can be signs of certain health conditions which can include heart, liver, respiratory and thyroid disease. I know *what* can cause it, but my question is HOW do these health problems cause the nails to curve?

… In other words, how does a thyroid problem, heart disease, etc., cause fingernails to curve under? I Googled this but can’t find an answer. Thanks.

Best answer:

Answer by mildred f
Decreased circulation over a long period.

Add your own answer in the comments!

Article by Colin L Wolfenden

The Heart Disease Hit List

* FACT – Heart disease is the biggest killer in the western world, and has been for more than a century.* FACT – Heart disease related deaths account for more than a third of deaths..* FACT – A large percentage of heart attack victims die before they reach hospital..* FACT – The first sign of heart disease that many heart attack victims notice is sudden excruciating pain followed by death.

Shocked yet? You should be! In-fact we all should be. Many people ignore the occasional chest pain, the twinge in the arm or shoulders after a meal etc, and take no interest in reversing heart disease. Feeling safe in the knowledge that if they have a heart problem they’ll go to the hospital and get fixed up; maybe take steps toward reversing heart disease through lifestyle changes if the doc says so. Sounds like a good plan huh? Unfortunately as the above statistics clearly show, the plan can fail with tragic consequences, which could be avoided by reversing heart disease through a change of lifestyle.Reversing heart disease should be of prime importance to every adult in the western world. Poor lifestyle and complacency are sadly all too closely linked to the heart disease death rate..Check out the chilling statistics and you’ll find that the heart disease death rates are similar in every western country, and yet the majority of people are still complacent about the dangers associated with this silent killer.

The main risk factors are:

* High Blood Pressure* High Blood Cholesterol* Obesity* Smoking* Sedentary Lifestyle* Stress

Combine a few, or perhaps all of these risk factors and you have a lethal time-bomb ticking away inside of you, with prevention being the best solution by reversing heart disease through lifestyle changes.Most of the major risk factors are silent. They must be sought actively, and much of the responsibility for their detection, and reversing heart disease lies with each of us as individuals. Regular checkups are particularly necessary if there is a family history of heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels or diabetes.There has been a slight decline in the death rate from heart disease over the last two decades as a portion of the population has heeded the warning and taken steps to modify their lifestyle to reduce the risk factors and thus reversing heart disease that would otherwise have progressed within their bodies. Despite this decline however, the death rate is still far too high.Another worrying problem is the high obesity rate among the young population today and its associated health problems, of which heart disease is only one. Many nutritionists and scientist believe this generation of adults will be among the first to outlive their children, a terrible thought for any parent. This highlights the importance of reversing heart disease factors for ourselves as well as our children through education and encouraging the whole family to get involved in making positive changes to diet and lifestyle.As with many other degenerative diseases of our society, heart disease is best prevented; rather than trying to gamble on surviving your first wakeup call. Heart disease prevention is best approached by taking steps toward reversing heart disease gradually and always under a doctor’s supervision. Educating yourself is also a smart course of action for reversing heart disease and specialist information will always have significantly more effective results than non-specialist information. Heart disease is no joke; it’s a matter of life and death!

Finally! How to Reverse or Prevent Heart DiseaseWithout Drugs or Surgery.A Former Heart Surgeon Reveals…

About the Author

Colin L Wolfenden is Webmaster for:http://www.impressiveebooks.comand http://www.my-resource.com

Question by Sour Apple: What kind of heart disease can stress/depression give you?
There are different types of heart disease. Which ones do emotional stress and/or depression contribute to? What can stress/depression do to your heart??

Thanks.

Best answer:

Answer by Laurence W
Stress can raise blood pressure and damage arteries, starting sites where blockages may develop.

Depression slows your immune system, making it easier to be sick, harder for your body to heal itself.

Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!

Article by F. Kuhn, RN

UNDERSTANDING THE BASICS OF YOUR HEART AND HEART DISEASE

Understand the basics associated with your heart and blood vessels. Here you will get an understanding of all the different types of cardiovascular disease that can be confusing. Get a basic overview of cardiovascular disease and the conditions that can affect your heart and blood vessels.

You probably hear a lot about preventing heart disease. But maybe you’re not sure what heart disease is. Is it the same thing as cardiovascular disease, coronary artery disease or other heart terms you sometimes see?

With many medical terms related to the heart and blood vessels, it’s no wonder you may be puzzled or confused. Here you will have a chance to brush up on some basic terms about cardiovascular disease (CVD) that can help you stay more informed. This can then help you when you’re watching the news or meeting with your doctor.

The first term to know is Cardiovascular Disease or CVD. CVD is a broad term. CVD is a large collection of diseases and conditions.

If you want to be technical, CVD refers to any disorder in any of the various parts of your heart system. Your cardiovascular system consists of your heart and all the blood vessels throughout your whole body.

Cardiovascular disease has two main mechanisms:

Diseases of the Heart (cardio)

Diseases of the Blood Vessels (vascular)

Everything from an aneurysm to a heart attack to varicose veins are all types of CVD. You may be born with a type of CVD (congenital) or you may acquire others later on in life possibly from a lifetime of unhealthy habits, lack of exercise, smoking, and other factors.

Here’s a closer look at the two mechanisms of cardiovascular disease.

Diseases of the Heart

The diseases and conditions that affect the heart are in a group known as heart disease. The heart consists of a muscle that pumps blood. Arteries supply blood to the heart muscle, and the valves make sure that the blood within the heart is pumped in the right direction. Problems can occur in any of these areas.

Just like CVD, Heart Disease is a broad term.

Here are the specific types of heart disease:

**Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)

**Coronary Heart Disease (CHD)

**Cardiomyopathy

**Valvular heart disease

**Pericardial disease

**Congenital heart disease

**Heart failure (CHF)

Diseases of the Blood Vessels

Blood vessels are in basic terms hollow tubes that carry blood to the organs and tissues throughout your body.

There are 4 basic types of blood vessels:

Arteries. These blood vessels carry oxygenated blood to all parts of the body

Veins. These blood vessels carry deoxygenated blood back to your heart. That is why they have a bluish cast to their color

Capillaries. These are tiny vessels that connect your arteries and veins.

Lymphatics. Fluid that leaks out of your capillaries in order to bathe your cells.

Here are some types of blood vessel disorders:

**Arteriosclerosis and atherosclerosis

**High blood pressure (HBP) or Hypertension (HTN)

**Stroke

**Aneurysm

**Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) and claudication

**Vasculitis

**Venous incompetence

**Venous thrombosis or blood clot

**Varicose veins

**Lymphedema

Heart Disease is a serious condition. Watch your fatty food intake, smoking, as well as your sweet tooth intake. Both can cause serious heart problems.

It is best to start out slow when changing your diet. Eating fresh fruits and vegetables is a great way to start.

About the Author

F. Kuhn, RN specializing in diabetes

http://www.heartnewscenter.comhttp://www.onediabetes.com

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