Posted: February 14th, 2010 | Filed under: Cardioventis, Heart Disease Prevention, Heart Prevention | Tags: Cardioventis, Healthy Heart, Heart, Heart Disease, Heart Diseases, Heart Staple, HeartStaple |
Today if you and your loved one take commitment to eat a nutritious diet, engage in regular physical activity, maintain a healthy weight, and stop smoking, you will improve your heart health.
Currently, only 3 percent of U.S. adults practice these “Big Four” heart healthy habits. But it’s never too late to start. No matter what heart disease risk factors you have—or how many—you will greatly benefit from taking action in these four areas. If you already have heart disease, you can lessen its severity by following this plan.
True, you may need to take other steps to prevent or control heart disease. For example, if you have diabetes, you also will need to keep your blood sugar levels under control. But following a heart healthy eating plan, controlling your weight, and engaging in more physical activity will help you keep your blood sugar at healthy levels. These steps will also help reduce your chances of developing high blood pressure or high blood cholesterol. Whatever your current health conditions or habits, this action plan can make an enormously positive difference in your heart health. To find out how to get started, read on.
Eat for Health
The health of your heart has a lot to do with the foods you eat. The “Dietary Guidelines for Americans” give science-based advice for eating right and being physically active to maintain good health. The guidelines recommend the following healthy eating plans:
Emphasize fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fat-free or low-fat milk and milk products.Include lean meats, poultry, fish,beans, eggs, and nuts.
Choose foods that are low in saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol, salt and sodium, and added sugars.
Balance the calories you take in with the calories you need.
Although the “Dietary Guidelines for Americans” recommend an excellent basic menu for heart health, you may need to make some additional changes in your diet if you have high blood pressure or high blood cholesterol. You may want to work with a registered dietitian to help you make these changes. A dietitian can teach you about the eating plan that is best for you, determine a reasonable calorie level, and help you choose foods and plan menus. A dietitian can also help you keep track of your progress and encourage you to stay on your eating plan. Talk with your doctor about whether you should get a referral to a registered dietitian. In the meantime, if you have high blood pressure or high blood cholesterol.
Source:National Heart,Lung and Blood Institute.
Posted: February 10th, 2010 | Filed under: Heart Disease Prevention, Heart Prevention | Tags: Heart Conditions, Heart Disease, Heart Staple, Risk Factors for Heart Disease |
Lipoprotein Profile
What: A blood test that measures total cholesterol, HDL or”good” cholesterol, LDL or “bad” cholesterol, and triglycerides, another form of fat in the blood. The test is given after a 9- to 12-hour fast.
Why: To find out if you have any of the following: high blood cholesterol (high total and LDL cholesterol), low HDL cholesterol, or high triglyceride levels. All affect your risk for heart disease.
When: All healthy adults should have their blood cholesterol levels checked at least once every 5 years. Depending on the results, your doctor may want to repeat the test more frequently.
Blood Pressure
What: A simple, painless test using an inflatable cuff on the arm.
Why: To find out if you have high blood pressure (also called hypertension) or prehypertension. Both are risk factors for heart disease.
When: At least every 2 years, or more often if you have high blood pressure or prehypertension.
Fasting Plasma Glucose
What: The preferred test for diagnosing diabetes. After you have fasted overnight, you will get a blood test the following morning.
Why: To find out if you have diabetes or are likely to develop the disease. Fasting plasma glucose levels of more than 126 mg/d on two tests on different days mean that you have diabetes. Levels between 100 and 125 mg/dL mean you have an increased risk for diabetes and may have prediabetes. Diabetes is an important risk factor for heart disease and other medical disorders.
When: At least every 3 years, beginning at age 45. If you have risk factors for diabetes, you should be tested at a younger age and more often.
Body Mass Index (BMI) and Waist Circumference
What: BMI is a measure of your weight in relation to your height. Waist circumference is a measure of the fat around your middle.
Why: To find out whether your body type raises your risk of heart disease. A BMI of 25 or higher means you are overweight. A BMI of 30 or higher means you are obese. Both overweight and obesity are risk factors for heart disease. For women, a waist measurement of more than 35 inches increases the risk of heart disease and other serious health conditions.
When: Every 2 years, or more often if your doctor recommends it.
Other Tests
There also are several tests that can determine whether you already have heart disease. Ask your doctor whether you need a stress test, an electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG), or another diagnostic test .
Source:
Posted: February 8th, 2010 | Filed under: Heart Disease Prevention, Heart Truth | Tags: Heart Disease, Heart Staple |
Some surprising facts:
- One in 4 women in the United States dies of heart disease, while 1 in 30 dies of breast cancer.
- Twenty-three percent of women will die within 1 year after having a heart attack.
- Within 6 years of having a heart attack, about 46 percent of women become disabled with heart failure.
- Two-thirds of women who have a heart attack fail to make a full recovery.
- The fact is, if you’ve got a heart, heart disease could be your problem. Fortunately, it’s a problem you can do something about.
- For women in midlife, taking action is particularly important.Once a woman reaches menopause, her risks of heart disease and heart attack jump dramatically.
- One in eight women between the ages of 45 and 64 has some form of heart disease, and this increases to one in four women over 65.
Questions to ask your doctor about your Heart Health:
Getting answers to these questions will give you vital information about your heart health and what you can do to improve it.
You may want to take this list to your doctor’s office:
1. What is my risk for heart disease?
2. What is my blood pressure? What does it mean for me,and what do I need to do about it?
3. What are my cholesterol numbers? (These include total cholesterol, LDL or “bad” cholesterol, HDL or “good” cholesterol, and triglycerides.) What do they mean for me,
and what do I need to do about them?
4. What are my body mass index (BMI) and waist measurement? Do they indicate that I need to lose weight for my health?
5. What is my blood sugar level, and does it mean I’m at risk for diabetes?
6. What other screening tests for heart disease do I need?How often should I return for checkups for my heart health?
7. What can you do to help me quit smoking?
8. How much physical activity do I need to help protect my heart?
9. What is a heart healthy eating plan for me? Should I see a registered dietitian or qualified nutritionist to learn moreabout healthy eating?
10. How can I tell if I’m having a heart attack?
