Women need to know more about how to treat heart disease

Although 73 per cent of women know how to prevent heart disease, many do not know how to treat once the diagnosis has been made.

In a study of 1,979 women over 35 years of age, only 55 percent said they understand how to treat heart disease. Interviewees often incorrectly the name of prevention techniques like exercise and healthy eating as treatment options, and less than 10 percent of behalf of current treatments such as angioplasty and stent placement.

Hispanics and African Americans, both considered high-risk groups for heart disease were twice as likely as Caucasian women to say that he knew nothing of the treatments at all.

The survey was conducted by the "sound of the campaign's" Heart Health, sponsored by the National Women's Resource Center and Cordis Corp. The campaign encourages women to learn about treatment options for coronary artery disease , the most common type of heart disease so they can make better decisions if it is diagnosed.

"The good news is that women are aware that they are at risk of heart disease. The bad news is that they are too confident in their ability to prevent and treat," said Dr. Cindy Grines, interventional cardiologist at William Beaumont Hospital Royal Oaks, Michigan, "Women must realize that education is the key to defeating the threat of coronary artery disease. There are a variety of treatment options available.

The most common procedure for treating coronary artery disease is balloon angioplasty with a coronary stent. Angioplasty widens narrowed arteries by threading a balloon-tipped catheter through the artery in the arm or groin to the blocked artery in his heart. The balloon is inflated to flatten plaque against the walls of the arteries, which in turn increases the blood vessels so that blood can flow more easily.

Scientific advances have enabled the development of drug-eluting stent, a tiny mesh scaffold that props the artery open, while the release of small amounts of a particular drug such as sirolimus into the artery over a period of time. This helps keep plaque from reforming and helps prevent recurrence of the blockage occurs inside the blood vessel.

In coronary bypass surgery is another treatment option. While more invasive, is a safe and effective treatment for patients who can not qualify for the insertion of angioplasty and stenting.


Why High blood cholesterol is dangerous

Cholesterol, like fat, can not travel through the bloodstream on its own because it is mixed with water. The bloodstream carries cholesterol in particles called lipoproteins that are transmitted by blood, such as cargo trucks delivering cholesterol to various body tissues to be used, stored or excreted. But too much of this circulating cholesterol can injure arteries, especially the coronary arteries supplying the heart. This leads to the accumulation of cholesterol-laden "plaque" in vessel walls, a condition called atherosclerosis.

When it impedes the flow of blood to the heart, the heart muscle becomes starved for oxygen, causing chest pain (angina). If a blood clot completely obstructs a coronary artery affected by atherosclerosis, a heart attack (myocardial infarction) or death can occur.

Are you at risk? Cardiovascular disease is still one of the major health problems affecting the West. According to the American Heart Foundation, more than 70 million Americans have cardiovascular disease (CVD). The national cost of nearly $ 400 million, and every 45 seconds an American has a Stoke.

Certain risk factors increase your chance of developing cardiovascular disease.

1. Overweight
2. High blood cholesterol
3. Insufficient physical activity
4. High blood pressure
5. Smoking
6. Excessive alcohol consumption
7. Diabetes

Many people have multiple risk factors for heart disease and the risk level increases with the number of risk factors. By reducing these risk factors can prevent the occurrence of cardiovascular disease. High cholesterol in the blood of its own is not necessarily a problem, but together with one or more risk factors for heart disease, it is often the straw that breaks the camel.

It is therefore very important to know what their cholesterol levels and keep a healthy level before you have any problems.

Cholesterol in high-risk
If your total cholesterol is 240 or more is definitely high. You have an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. In fact, you should have your LDL and HDL cholesterol test. Ask your doctor. About 20 percent of the U.S. population have high levels of blood cholesterol.

Borderline-high risk
People whose total cholesterol is 200 to 239 mg / dL have borderline-high cholesterol. About a third of American adults are in this group, while almost half of adults have total cholesterol levels below 200 mg / dL. In fact, people who have total cholesterol of 240 mg / dL have twice the risk of coronary heart disease than people whose cholesterol level is 200 mg / dl. Does physical activity affect cholesterol?

Other factors that affect levels of blood cholesterol:

Heredity - High cholesterol often runs in families. Although specific genetic causes have been identified in only a minority of cases, genes still play a role in influencing cholesterol levels in the blood. If your parents have high cholesterol should be tested to see if your cholesterol levels are also high.

Age and gender - Before menopause, women tend to have lower cholesterol levels than men the same age. Cholesterol levels naturally rise as men and older women. Menopause is often associated with increased LDL cholesterol in women.

Stress - Studies have shown the strain were signed directly to cholesterol levels. But experts say that because people sometimes eat fatty foods to console themselves when under stress, this can cause high cholesterol in the blood.

Overweight - Excess weight tends to increase levels of blood cholesterol. Losing weight has been shown to help lower levels. A greater risk of increased cholesterol levels occurs when that extra weight is centered in the abdominal region, unlike the legs or buttocks.


When the Cardiologist says you have heart disease

This angiogram was in my immediate future. I am told that this is a safe and relatively painless and do not worry. There were plenty of things to worry though. They do not want to put a camera through my body and my heart for any reason. However, angiography is an outpatient procedure where the cardiologist opens an artery in the leg and works of a camera in the arteries of the heart muscle. It sounds much worse than it is but the benefit is that you know exactly what the state of your heart and arteries are at that point in time. So I'm ready!

At least the latter will respond to the seriousness of the problem, if I really had. The cardiologist must however have been concerned that angiography was scheduled 4 days later.

On the day of this adventure, I checked into the center of cardiology at a local hospital and willing to undergo angiography. IV was introduced and I was ready to go. Once in the theater angiogram, I was given sedatives that kept me aware though, there was no pain, nor have I heard anyone working that sent through me, to check the problem. When nurses and technicians to talk directly to me in a voice loud enough but I was able to respond.

The good thing is that if an angiogram are blockages, the general cardiologist may place stents or metal pipe like devices into the arteries to maintain blood flow if necessary. This is very far from the open heart, the crash of its kind in the chest surgery that would have required a few years ago. After about an hour, the doctor apparently reduced the sedatives that makes me remember a situation in my condition.

The Verdict!
The bad news was that they were calcium deposits on the inner walls of my arteries. This was what they had seen with other tests. The good news however, was that my arteries or pipes were absolutely smooth inside and is considered very large. Great pipes with a smooth thin layer of calcium equaled a potential problem only.

Being a person of a family of big people for many generations, the fact that my arteries are considered "big" does not surprise me. I can not prove it but you have to think that vitamins and minerals that have taken more than a decade I have been protected from development of a fatal heart disease at this point in my life. The cardiologist, however, remains concerned about the long-term survival score given the calcium from blood.

Where we go from here!
As is the changes in lifestyle for me. I've gone from a relatively sedentary person to one who rides an exercise bike almost 7 miles a day, every day. I still, though now the doctors' orders, to take a daily aspirin for adults and have changed my eating habits. It is a process so there are some good days and some worse, but I'm much more sensitive to how and what they eat. Although my bad cholesterol level in 90 (anything under 110 is considered good), the cardiologist has prescribed statins to lower bad cholesterol even more. Once again, I can not prove it but I believe that statins will soon be considered an essential part of living a long and healthy life.

So that's my story. The exercise and an aspirin a day to thin the blood. Statins to lower cholesterol and even more vitamins every day just because I've done so well with them so far. Hopefully, I'll live long without having to deal with the debilitating effects of severe heart disease.


What you should know about the causes of low blood pressure

When someone talks about the problems of blood pressure in most cases involve issues of high blood pressure. But low blood pressure is also a fairly common condition that needs attention.

What are the causes of low blood pressure? It turns out that there are a number of them.

Revealing the causes of hypotension is important because it must be treated before treating the clinical conditions of low blood pressure.

Antihypertensive medications are a possible cause. If someone with high blood pressure continues to take medication without proper supervision, can lead to drug accumulation in the body that can cause blood pressure to drop below acceptable levels.

For this reason, patients with beta-blockers should be closely monitored to make sure they do not lead to adverse effects such as hypotension.

Diuretic medications can cause this problem if abused drugs. In fact, it can lower blood pressure to dangerous levels if not taken properly.

Heart problems can, of course, because of low blood pressure. Problems such as tricuspid regurgitation, which is a valve problem can lead to disease.

Trauma, such as severe burns can lower blood pressure dramatically. Burns affect the permeability of blood vessels that causes the problem. Heat stroke is another possible cause of low pressure, because it alters the mechanism of fluid in the body.

Inflammation of organs like the pancreas may cause hypotension. So breathing problems such as pneumothorax and severe dysentery and gastro intestinal problems.

Patients taking nitrate drugs may have a tendency to suffer from this condition. This is especially true when alcohol is consumed. For this reason, doctors usually advice against the consumption of alcohol when the patient is taking nitrate drugs.

In fact, what constitutes low blood pressure often depends on the patient. There's a fine line between low pressure and hypotension clinically healthy.

As you can see, there are many possible causes of low blood pressure. The trial of caregiver health is crucial to decide if you have the hypotension and what type of treatment required.


What makes our blood high cholesterol?

Their level of blood cholesterol is affected not only by what we eat but also by how quickly your body makes LDL cholesterol and have it. In fact, your body makes all the cholesterol it needs, and need not take any additional cholesterol from the foods you eat.

People with heart disease or are at high risk for development which usually have too much LDL cholesterol in the blood. Many factors help determine whether your LDL-cholesterol level is high or low. The following factors are most important.

Their level of blood cholesterol is affected not only by what we eat but also by how quickly your body makes LDL cholesterol and have it. In fact, your body makes all the cholesterol it needs, and need not take any additional cholesterol from the foods you eat. Patients with heart disease or those at high risk for development which usually have too much LDL cholesterol in the blood. Many factors help determine whether your LDL-cholesterol level is high or low. The following factors are most important.

Inheritance. The genes influence how high your LDL cholesterol is affecting how fast LDL is made and removed from the blood. A specific form of inherited high cholesterol affects 1 in every 500 people is familial hypercholesterolemia, which often leads to early heart disease. But even if you do not have a specific genetic form of high cholesterol, genes play a role in influencing your LDL-cholesterol level.

What you eat.Two main nutrients in the foods you eat make your LDL cholesterol level go up: saturated fat, a type of fat found in foods of animal origin and cholesterol, which comes only from animal products. Saturated fat raises your LDL cholesterol level more than anything in the diet. Eating too much saturated fat and cholesterol is the main reason for high cholesterol and a high rate of heart attacks in the United States. Reducing the amount of saturated fat and cholesterol you eat is a very important step in reducing cholesterol levels in the blood.

Weight. Excess weight tends to increase their level of LDL-cholesterol. If you are overweight and have high LDL-cholesterol, losing weight can help reduce it. Weight loss also helps lower triglycerides and increase HDL.

Physical activity or exercise.Regular physical activity can reduce LDL cholesterol and raise HDL-cholesterol.

Age and sex. Before menopause, women usually have total cholesterol levels that are lower than those of men the same age. As women and men age, their blood cholesterol levels rise until about 60 to 65 years of age. In women, menopause often causes an increase in LDL cholesterol and a decrease in their levels of HDL-cholesterol, and after age 50, women often have higher total cholesterol levels than men of the same age.

Alcohol. Alcohol consumption increases HDL-cholesterol, LDL, but not lower cholesterol. Doctors are not certain whether alcohol also reduces the risk of heart disease. Drinking too much alcohol can damage the liver and heart muscle, high blood pressure and raise triglycerides. Because of the risks, alcoholic beverages should not be used as a way to prevent heart disease.

Stress. The long-term stress has been shown in several studies to raise levels of blood cholesterol. One way that stress may do this is by affecting your habits. For example, when some people are under stress, they console themselves by eating fatty foods. Saturated fat and cholesterol in these foods contribute to high cholesterol levels in the blood.


What is low blood pressure?

Apart from the technical interpretation, low blood pressure is a kind of disease that undermines the power of all parts of your body and mind. Their spirits are down and your body starts to tremble. You get a sinking feeling - and you need a rescue mission immediately!

Blood pressure is the pressure of blood in the arteries of the body. Blood pressure is the driving force that causes blood to flow through the body of the arteries (where the pressure is high), through organs, and in the veins (where the pressure is low). Blood pressure is generated by pumping blood through the heart into the arteries, as well as resistance to blood flow through the arteries. Systolic blood pressure (the top number) represents the pressure in the arteries when the heart muscle contracts and pumps blood into the arteries. And diastolic blood pressure (the bottom number) represents the pressure in the arteries when the heart muscle relaxes after contracts.

Systolic blood pressure for most healthy adults between 90 and 120 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). Normal diastolic blood pressure is between 60 and 80 mm Hg. (By convention, an individual's blood pressure is written as systolic / diastolic, for example, 120/80). Current guidelines define normal blood pressure of less than 120/80. Blood pressure between 120/80 and 140/90, which used to be considered "pre-hypertension", now considered too high. High blood pressure increases the risk of developing heart disease, kidney disease, hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis or arteriosclerosis), eye damage and stroke.

When blood flow is too low to deliver enough oxygen and nutrients to vital organs such as brain, heart and kidneys, known as low blood pressure. When this happens, the organs can not function normally and may suffer permanent damage. It should be noted that unlike high blood pressure, defined on the basis of blood pressure alone, low blood pressure is defined primarily by signs and symptoms of low blood flow. In fact, some people may have a blood pressure of 90/50 and no signs or symptoms of low blood pressure, and therefore does not lower blood pressure while others who normally have a blood pressure of 130/80 may develop symptoms and signs of low blood pressure if your blood pressure drops to 100/60.

There are certain traditional medicines can help cure low blood pressure. Butter milk is good for both high and low blood pressure. Use of asafoetida in various food items regularly, also helps to cure low blood pressure.


What different types of blood pressure monitor

Looking blood pressure monitors? This article will give full information on all types of blood pressure monitors.Taking your blood pressure and keep a record of measurements is important. It will give you and your medical information, how your blood pressure changes during the day. Blood Pressure Monitor is an important tool in monitoring your blood pressure. It is important to monitor your blood pressure to control their condition. Blood Pressure Monitor detects your systolic and diastolic pressure. Having such a tool will help you understand more about the condition that you are and how these changes affect their daily activities.

Aneroid blood pressure monitors or monitors manual blood pressure
Above all you will see this blood pressure monitor on the table by your doctor. Manual blood pressure monitor cuff arm includes a compression bulb inflation, a stethoscope or microphone, and an indicator of doctors to measure blood pressure. This monitor is best if you want to read more accurately. The disadvantage is that these are much larger in size compared to digital. You need separate stethoscope.

Digital Blood Pressure Monitor:
Also called as electronic or automatic blood pressure monitor. These are available with wrist and arm cuffs. But the arm cuffs digital monitors are considered more accurate, compared with monitors of the wrist. They have a screen that displays the results. Most of these come with only a single button. Wrap cuff, and click the button, that's it. The only disadvantage of this is that these are more expensive and sometimes does not work right if the bracelet does not fit precisely. It is best to take 2-3 readings each time you use the digital monitor.

Finger Blood Pressure Monitor:
New technology has arrived. Those who have to take blood pressure often finger this monitor is ideal for them. Just place your forefinger on the finger cuff. Cuff is inflated automatically. LCD screen displays the results. Light weight and portable. Most people use this monitor, even knowing that this is not accurate as arm monitors. Generally, they prefer because they are lighter weight and not have to roll up their sleeves. When every time you buy this monitor, always compare your readings with normal arm BP devices.

PEDIATRIC blood pressure monitor
This monitor comes with a small cuff and an LCD as LCD games. This blood pressure monitor will help keep children entertained while at peace and that his diagnosis and treatment. Pediatric blood pressure monitor is used to detect hypertension in children. It should be noted that both systolic and diastolic pressure increased significantly in children because of the increased number of overweight and obese children. As the child becomes heavier, the risk of high blood pressure also increases. Blood pressure monitoring of pediatrics and children is widely used today.

Monitor blood pressure pulse:
If you have a broken arm or arthritis of the elbow, the preferred use wrist monitor blood pressure. Although it is said that the fingers and wrist monitors do not measure blood pressure very well, many people still use. These are more sensitive to body temperature and body position can give false reading. These are also too expensive. These come with an armband and a small LCD storage case. Some even with the wrist monitor. These are highly portable. Manufacturers have come up with the idea of adding much value to this device and as a result, the device's wrist blood pressure have been improved to look like a clock. For this reason, wrist blood pressure monitor has brought the comfort of your blood pressure checked in the much bigger size. This is especially made to suit the lifestyle of people reaching.

Blood Pressure Monitor Cuff:
When choosing blood pressure monitor, always see the cuff size first. If you are a fat person is not going to the normal size of a fist. You need a larger cuff. If using the normal size of fist, may hyper inflate, giving false reading. For children, also use smaller cuffs. Everything depends on the size of your arm.

What ever you choose to take blood pressure, the idea is to try to select that monitor blood pressure it can handle, read and operate easily and comfortably, so that gives you the most accurate reading. While taking blood pressure, follow all precautions on the leaflet comes with any blood pressure monitor.

Warning signs of a heart attack

Many people who experience symptoms of a heart attack that may go unnoticed. Ignoring the story, "say the signs of a heart attack can cause the problem is more severe than necessary, which can lead to heart failure and even death.

If you think you are experiencing a heart attack, seek medical attention immediately. This is especially true for individuals who have previously had a heart attack or an increased risk of suffering a heart attack due to medical conditions or current prescriptions.

Remember the old adage, "prevention is better than cure" and seek immediate medical help if you can identify a single sign of pain or discomfort you are experiencing may be a heart attack.

There are many myths when it comes to dealing with heart attacks and symptoms of people are having a heart attack. Many people believe that the pain must be extreme or intense before they seek medical attention. This is a common myth and completely false, as some patients say their heart attack was just slightly uncomfortable or painful.

When a person is having a heart attack, you probably do not seem to suffer at the movies or on television. The mental association of heart attacks with people clutching his chest and falling to the ground is usually incorrect, as many heart attack victims say their attack began very slowly with a strange feeling. If undetected, a heart attack may increase significantly in scale, but usually heart attacks are not a sudden burst of pain.

Women are likely to have heart attacks without knowing it, which puts them at greater risk of complications or problems. Most women think they are not at risk of a heart attack, but in fact have a high risk for one. Talk to your doctor about any potential problems with a heart attack in his family history, or as a result of a current medical problem before dismissing the threat.

There are four main warning signs when it comes to determining whether the symptoms you are experiencing may be a heart attack. If any of these symptoms, seek medical attention for potential heart attack immediately.

1.Chest pain or discomfort. The chest pain associated with heart attacks may not be overwhelming, but rather an uncomfortable feeling. This discomfort is said to come and go, you feel a pressure on the chest of the victim or a squeezing feeling uncomfortable. Usually, during a heart attack, any pain or discomfort arises from the center of the chest of the victim.

2.Upper discomfort. Tell heart attack victims who experienced discomfort in his upper body, especially in his shoulder, back, jaw or arms, before the sensation affected his chest. This may also include a funny feeling in my stomach. For this reason, a heart attack can easily be confused with heartburn or stomach pain simple.

3.Shortness of breath. Usually occurring simultaneously with pain or chest discomfort, shortness of breath can be anything from an inability to hold their breath for not being able to breathe properly. Heart attack victims dismissed this symptom as a side effect of any activity in which they were participating in a heart attack.

4.Nausea. The feeling of being sick to your stomach is commonly associated with early warning symptoms of a heart attack. This symptom, along with discomfort in the stomach can cause a heart attack to dismiss the symptoms as a simple stomach ache or stomach flu.

Other symptoms may include a general feeling of dizziness or vertigo. Heart attack victims report that they received a general feeling of discomfort and had an idea that something was unusual. Moreover, many victims have been known to break into a cold sweat, which can also lead to a misdiagnosis of a flu virus or a less serious problem.

Since heart attacks are very common in men and women, should make a point to talk with their primary health care provider about the risk of heart attack. Many people are unaware of the potential risk or heart problems until it is too late and who have already suffered a heart attack. In addressing any problems before it's too late, you will be more likely that little damage to your heart as possible.


10 Tips for better heart health

Valentine's Day makes February, a native of the American Heart Month. How can you ensure that your heart beating keep going and not go Kerplunk? Let us count the ways ...

Here are our 10 tips for a healthy ticker:

1. Fill the fiber. Not only does fiber help reduce levels of LDL ( "bad cholesterol"), which can help control weight. Excess weight increases the risk of heart failure in third, while obesity is doubled. While two-thirds of Americans are too heavy, only half get enough fiber. Major sources include oatmeal, beans, raspberries, blueberries, oranges and green peas.

2. Go bananas. I did when I learned that 99 percent of women and 90 percent of men do not have enough potassium in your diet. Responsible for regulating fluid balance in our cells, potassium also mitigates the effects of excess sodium. Excess sodium and potassium, too little is a recipe for high blood pressure. A better balance by reducing salt and increasing potassium intake to bananas, potatoes, broccoli and kiwi.

3. Saying "no" to that extra cup of Joe. Four or more cups of tea a day may increase blood levels of homocysteine, an amino acid associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Drinking more than two cups of coffee a day can harden arteries and contribute to arteriosclerosis. Change to tea, your heart health benefits include blood pressure and reduce inflammation.

4. "Heart disease of beet. Betanin Beets contain antioxidants that can help keep LDL cholesterol from clogging of your arteries, according to a study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. Furthermore, the tuber is a good source of folic acid that helps break this heart-hurtin 'homocysteine. Main sources of folic acid are spinach, broccoli, romaine lettuce and papaya.

5. Learning to listen better. University of Baltimore, researchers found that people with "dominant personalities" had a 47 percent higher risk of heart disease compared with their more patient, passive companions. So how do you know if you are "dominant"? Another study has identified several markers - including the tendency to interrupt!

6. The "L" word in his heart truly desires: lycopene. This heart-healthy phytonutrients -; found in tomatoes, watermelon and pink grapefruit - can reduce cholesterol levels and reduce inflammation. Harvard researchers found that consumption of seven or more servings of tomatoes a week could reduce cardiovascular disease risk by 30 percent.

7. Choose healthy fats. Monounsaturated fats (olive oil, avocados, nuts) - when used in place of saturated fats (the butter, bacon, beef)-to help lower cholesterol. Other healthy fats - omega-3 - helps to reduce inflammation. Sources of omega-3s are wild salmon, walnuts and flaxseed.

8. Do not light breakfast on the holiday break. While skipping breakfast actually lowers your metabolism, get on the water is no better. A new study at the University of Buffalo, found that big fatty breakfast trigger the release of inflammatory chemicals associated with clogged arteries. So skip the stack of pancakes and opt for a strawberry and banana smoothie.

9. Ode to soy. Twenty-five grams of soy protein per day can help reduce cholesterol, according to the American Heart Association. I am the heart of other healthy nutrients including folic acid and magnesium (which helps maintain normal blood pressure). Soy milk, soy beans, tofu and soynuts are just some of the many ways to enjoy soy.

10. Go to an increase. In HDL cholesterol, which is. Higher levels of this "good" cholesterol can be almost as important as low levels of LDL cholesterol in the maintenance of cardiovascular diseases at bay. In addition to exercise, stop smoking and limit trans fats, of the University of Scranton study found that cranberry juice may help increase HDL levels.