Posted by Linus
Saturday, Apr. 4th 2009
Peripheral artery disease (PAD), otherwise known as peripheral vascular disease, is a common circulatory problem, which narrows the arteries and reduces the blood flow to your limbs. Most of us do not find any signs and symptoms of it, but some may find a number of them. A few of these symptoms, that even you may have experienced, are:
• numbness or pain in the leg muscles
• painful cramps in your hips, thighs, or calf muscles
• change in the color of your legs
• sores on your feet or legs that won’t heal
These heart diseases are caused by various reasons, the most common being atherosclerosis. In this case, fatty deposits (plaque) build up in your artery walls and reduce blood flow. Other less common causes are blood clots in arteries, injury to limbs, unusual anatomy of ligaments or muscles, or infection. They may be due to factors such as smoking, high blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes. The risk for peripheral vascular disease increases with your age.
There are various tests to diagnose these heart diseases. These include physical examination by a doctor, ankle-brachial index (ABI), which is one of the most common tests used to diagnose PAD, ultrasound, angiography, and blood tests. The most important part that follows the diagnosis is the treatment. This starts at our end, with making lasting changes in the lifestyle, which lowers the blood pressure, reduces high cholesterol level, and brings down the blood sugar level. All these are done by maintaining a heart-healthy diet and getting some regular physical exercise. With all these changes in our lifestyle, you can manage the symptoms of PAD and also stop the progression of these heart diseases. By keeping an eye on your heart using various heart rate monitors that are available in the market, you can keep PAD and other heart-related problems at a safe distance.
Posted by Alex
Monday, Mar. 30th 2009
Heart diseases are becoming more common these days in humans, that too, at an early stage in life. An alarming number of deaths occur due to these heart diseases. In fact, heart diseases are the leading single cause of death globally. In the United States alone 1 in 2 women die of heart disease. The sad fact is that this number is on the rise.
This is due to a host of factors. High cholesterol levels, blood pressure, an unhealthy lifestyle and diet, physical inactivity, smoking, and increasing stress are a few of them. But, heart diseases are something that can be worked upon and you can take heart from that. The solution for preventing heart diseases is simple. The answer to how exactly we should take care of our heart is present right before us.
There are many heart healthy nutrients that can help reduce the risk of heart disease significantly. Fruits and vegetables, especially leafy ones, help maintain a normal blood pressure and lower blood cholesterol level. Whole grain cereals, beans, and peas also constitute a heart healthy diet. Beware of the hidden sugar in foods and avoid them! Garlic supplements have a history of preventing deaths due to heart diseases. Beverages also play a key role in protecting your heart.
In addition to the above, Vitamins B, A, C, and E are essential nutrition for the heart. Eating healthy food that is rich in fiber and low in fat is more likely to do the trick. You can come up with great menu ideas that include salmon, flaxseed, almonds, red wine, tuna, brown rice, etc. A well-balanced diet and regular exercise will surely guarantee a healthy and strong heart.
Posted by Meredith
Tuesday, Mar. 3rd 2009
When I went to visit a friend, who is recovering from a heart surgery in the hospital, I was shocked to see the number of female patients in the ward. Most women fear breast cancer, as it is the most life-threatening disease among them. But recent health surveys reveal that more women die of heart attacks each year than men in the United States. Shocking, isn’t it? Heart disease, which was once considered as a man’s disease, has become common among women these days. It is high time that women pay attention to their cardiac health. For this purpose more awareness should be created on women’s cardiac care.
As heart attack symptoms are not very strong in women, these indicators are more likely to be missed by them. A few such symptoms may be shortness of breath (it may not be accompanied by any chest pain); feelings of nausea, cold sweats, and clamminess; recurring chest discomfort; or indigestion. If you experience any of these symptoms, you should consult your family physician immediately.
Obese, or rather, overweight women with high levels of cholesterol are more prone to get a heart attack. Menopause is another factor that leaves women vulnerable to heart diseases. In general, women with a family history of cardiac diseases need to be extra careful about their heart care. It is important for such women to undergo treadmill testing and other screening tests to ensure their cardiac health.
One of the best ways to keep heart diseases at bay is to opt for a healthy lifestyle. This should include clean habits, proper diet, regular workouts, and frequent medical check-ups. There is a wide range of women’s heart rate monitors available in the market today. These efficient devices can be used to monitor one’s heart rate while exercising to maintain women’s cardiac health.
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