Hypertension and heart problems

Causes of Hypertension - Something You Need to Know

noreply@blogger.com (bloggerking) — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 05:44:00 +0000

Many might not be aware that many prescription and over-the-counter drugs can cause or exacerbate hypertension. For example, corticosteroids and immunosuppressive drugs increase blood pressure in most solid-organ transplant recipients. Medication taken for pain and inflammation such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors may raise blood pressure since their antiprostaglandin properties affect the kidneys.

As you might know, tobacco products (cigarettes, cigars, smokeless tobacco) contain nicotine, which temporarily increases blood pressure (for about thirty minutes or less). The blood pressure of smokers should be rechecked after thirty minutes if initial readings are high. Nicotine patches that are used for smoking cessation do not appear to increase blood pressure.

There does not appear to be a direct relationship between caffeine and chronic hypertension, even though caffeine intake can cause an acute (rapid but brief) increase in blood pressure. This may be due to the fact that tolerance to caffeine develops rapidly.

Note that chronic overuse of alcohol is a potentially reversible cause of hypertension. Five percent of hypertension is due to alcohol consumption and 30 to 60 percent of alcoholics have hypertension. Alcohol-induced hypertension is more likely to occur in women than men.

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What Women Must Know About Cholesterols

noreply@blogger.com (bloggerking) — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 06:08:00 +0000

Cardiovascular disease is the leading killer of American women, according to the American Heart Association (AHA). As with men, elevated cholesterol levels signal danger for a woman’s health, putting her at risk for both heart disease and stroke.

Women usually have higher HDL ("good") cholesterol levels prior to menopause because estrogen (the female sex hormone) raises this levHigh cholesterol (hyperlipidemia) involves elevated blood cholesterol and/or triglyceride levels.el. Therefore, women are particularly at risk after menopause, when their estrogen levels drop along with their HDL levels, and their LDL (“bad”) cholesterol levels increase. The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) found that over half of postmenopausal women needed to reduce their total cholesterol levels.

Men and women are also advised to maintain different levels of HDL cholesterol. Whereas men are considered to have low HDL cholesterol at less than 40 mg/dL, women have low HDL cholesterol at less than 50 mg/dL. Both men and women are advised to strive for HDL levels above 60 mg/dL.

Post-menopausal women are advised to be particularly aware of the relationship between hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and cardiovascular disease. It was previously thought that replacing lost sex hormones in post-menopausal women would provide the same cardio-protective benefits experienced by women with normal levels of estrogen. However, several major studies have since found that estrogen/progestin therapy increases the risks of heart attack, stroke, breast cancer, blood clots and overall cardiovascular disease.

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)

noreply@blogger.com (bloggerking) — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 14:34:00 +0000

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a chronic disease in which blood flow is obstructed through the coronary arteries that supply the heart with oxygen-rich blood. This obstruction is caused by a disease known as atherosclerosis, which is sometimes called "hardening of the arteries." An estimated 13.2 million Americans suffer from CAD. Also referred to as coronary heart disease, CAD is the most common form of cardiovascular disease in the United States today.

Atherosclerosis is gradual, often taking decades before the affected person is in danger of cardiovascular problems. First, the inner lining of the artery (e.g., the endothelium) is damaged. This causes white blood cells to gather at the site of the injury. This in turn provokes an inflammatory immune response that causes further damage to the artery wall. Over time, the endothelium is compromised and large, toxic LDL cholesterol molecules can penetrate into the artery wall. The white blood cells and cholesterol combine to form a lipid foam. In the early stages of atherosclerosis, these fatty streaks are present on the arterial wall as plaque deposits. Over time, the plaque may calcify, or form A heart attack happens every 29 seconds and is usually due to coronary artery disease (CAD).a hardened "shell." This reduces the supple artery's ability to contract and expand and narrows the artery, thus reducing the amount of blood that can flow through it. If the plaque deposit ruptures, a blood clot can form at the site of the rupture, or pieces of the plaque can travel through the arteries until they eventually cause a blockage. A heart attack and cardiac arrest may result.

Untreated, CAD usually continues to worsen. Many CAD patients have symptoms such as chest pain (angina) and fatigue, which occur when the heart isn't receiving adequate oxygen. As many as 50 percent of patients, however, have no symptoms until a heart attack occurs.

Strategies to help reduce risk factors for CAD, or slow its progression if it has already begun, include:

* Learning your family medical history
* Eating a heart-healthy diet
* Improving your cholesterol ratio
* Controlling homocysteine levels
* Exercising regularly
* Controlling diabetes
* Controlling high blood pressure
* Achieving and maintaining a healthy weight
* Managing stress
* Quitting smoking (or not starting to smoke)
* Controlling chronic depression

Treatment options for CAD include medication, balloon angioplasty (with or without stenting), atherectomy and bypass surgery.

Fast Food Chains Ditch Trans Fats to Meet NYC Ban

noreply@blogger.com (bloggerking) — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 12:12:00 +0000

Fast food restaurants have been changing their recipes to adapt to New York City's trans fat ban. Here are some of the menu overhauls at major chains:

-Dunkin Donuts: Quit using partially hydrogenated oil months ago in favor of a trans-fat-free blend of palm, soybean and cottonseed oil.

-Kentucky Fried Chicken: Ditched trans fats from cooking oil immediately, recently removed it from its pot pie and biscuits.

-Pizza Hut: Removed trans fat from the one style of pizza that had it.

-McDonald's: Stopped cooking fries in trans fat last year, and now has it out of cookies and baked apple pie too, at least in New York. The rest of the country will follow.

-Burger King: New York locations no longer use trans fat in fries, apple pie or biscuits, with plans to eliminate them nationwide.

-Boston Market: Testing a trans-fat-free version of its chicken pot pie and cornbread in New York. If all goes well, the recipe change will be expanded nationwide.

Women, Mexican Americans at Higher Risk for Certain Stroke

noreply@blogger.com (bloggerking) — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 05:10:00 +0000

Mexican Americans and women may have an increased risk of experiencing a stroke in which there is bleeding in the space around the brain, a new study finds.

Researchers, reviewing the medical records of almost 30,000 people over age 44 in southeast Texas, found that Mexican Americans ran nearly twice the risk of a subarachnoid hemorrhage than white people. Women, they found, had a one-and-three-quarters-fold increased risk of having this type of stroke.

Only 107 of the 29,907 people in the study experienced a subarachnoid hemorrhage during the seven-year study period.

A subarachnoid hemorrhage often results from a cerebral aneurysm, a blistering of a blood vessel. Even if caught early, it could kill a person or lead to severe disability. The condition may cause a person to have a severe or "thunderclap" headache. Vomiting, seizures and neck stiffness may accompany the headache.

The findings were published in the June 11 online issue of Neurology.

"Physicians and public health officials should help Mexican Americans and women take steps which might prevent subarachnoid hemorrhage," study author Dr. Lewis B. Morgenstern, director of the University of Michigan Stroke Program in Ann Arbor, said in a prepared statement. "Given that Mexican Americans account for the largest and fastest-growing minority group in the United States, it is important to examine how this condition may affect certain ethnicities differently."

Tobacco use and hypertension treatment differences among ethnic groups may have played a role in the study's outcome, he said, noting that since the study took place in one geographic area, its results may not hold for other locations.

Control Blood Pressure

noreply@blogger.com (bloggerking) — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 05:06:00 +0000

# Did you know that high blood pressure is the number controllable risk factor for stroke? Nearly 65 million Americans — 29 million of them are women — have high blood pressure, but a third don't even know it. Have your blood pressure checked at least once a year — more often if you have a history of high blood pressure, have had a heart attack, are diabetic or are overweight.

# Know your family medical history. If high blood pressure runs in your family it's important that you ask your doctor about how to control your blood pressure.

# If you have high blood pressure it's important to follow the recommendations of your doctor, which may include changes in diet, regular exercise and the use of medication.

5 Steps to Lower Blood Pressure

noreply@blogger.com (bloggerking) — Sat, 24 May 2008 14:10:00 +0000

Every day, millions of Americans quietly battle a silent killer. High blood pressure is an elevation in the force of blood pushing against the walls of the arteries. It affects one out of every three Americans, according to the American Heart Association (AHA).

High blood pressure is considered a major risk factor for heart attack, heart failure and stroke. Untreated high blood pressure can cause the heart to eventually overwork itself to the point at which serious damage can occur.

High blood pressure can also cause injury to other areas served by delicate arteries that are damaged by the increased pressure. These include the brain, the eyes (retinopathy) and/or the kidneys (nephropathy).

In most cases, there is no cure for high blood pressure. Medication can control high blood pressure, but there are several lifestyle changes you can make to keep your blood pressure lower.

What You Can Do

There are several things you can do to lower your blood pressure. The top five are:

* Eat a healthful diet. Studies have shown that people on the American Heart Association's Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension diet, or "DASH" diet, for only eight weeks experienced a significant reduction in blood pressure. The DASH diet emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low-fat dairy while limiting saturated fat and red meat.

Excessive sodium intake also has been linked to an increased risk of high blood pressure. Limiting salt intake to 2,000 milligrams per day may help keep blood pressure low. A diet of 1,500 milligrams or less salt is especially effective at controlling blood pressure, according to the National Institutes of Health. Sodium is found in many foods, so keep an eye on the ingredients list to help rein in your sodium intake. In addition, avoid adding table salt to foods.

* Avoid smoking and excessive drinking. The nicotine found in tobacco products constricts blood vessels, causing your hear to beat faster and raising blood pressure for a period of time. Smoking also damages blood vessel walls and hardens the arteries, which both increase the risk of high blood pressure.

Alcohol consumption has a significant impact on blood pressure in some people. Limit alcohol use to one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men. One drink is defined as one 6-ounce glass of wine per day, one 12-ounce beer or one 1-ounce shot of distilled spirits.

* Get regular exercise. Exercising three to four times per week helps regulate high blood pressure, keeping in mind that the regularity of the exercise is more important than the intensity of the workout. Individuals should consult their physician before starting an exercise program.

To be effective, the exercise must be aerobic, meaning it must move large muscle groups and cause you to both breathe more deeply and to push your heart to work harder to pump blood. However, your activity level does not need to be especially intense. For example, studies have shown that tai chi (an ancient Chinese workout involving slow, relaxing movements) may lower blood pressure almost as well as moderately intense aerobics.

* Lose weight. Shedding pounds, especially in the abdominal area, can immediately lower blood pressure and help reduce the size of the heart. A loss of just 10 pounds can make a significant difference. In many people, a simple combination of weight loss and salt restriction eliminates the need for taking blood-pressure medication.

* Try to relax. Emotional factors may play important roles in the development of high blood pressure. Studies have linked numerous activities to reducing blood pressure. These include cognitive-behavioral therapy, transcendental meditation, active religious faith and participation in activities related to a faith community. Other research has linked owning a pet with lower overall blood pressure. Relaxation techniques typically work best when they are employed at least once a day.

Questions for Your Doctor

noreply@blogger.com (bloggerking) — Thu, 15 May 2008 09:36:00 +0000

Preparing questions in advance can help patients to have more meaningful discussions with their physicians regarding their conditions. Patients may wish to ask their doctor the following questions related to women and medical care:

1.What is your experience in treating women?
2.Do you keep up-to-date in women’s health issues?
3.How do you treat male and female patients with my condition?
4.How will being female affect my diagnostic testing?
5.How will my treatments differ because I am a woman?
6.Are there any treatments I cannot use because I am female? If so, which ones?
7.What medications should I avoid as a woman?
8.Do you feel I should see another physician for my condition?
9.How common is my condition in women?
10.How does being female affect my prognosis?

Vascular Health Lectures in Videos

noreply@blogger.com (bloggerking) — Sun, 11 May 2008 03:47:00 +0000

Click HERE for Lecture 1 (Defining Vascular Health)

Click HERE for Lecture 2 (Cholesterols and Vascular Disease)

Click HERE for Lecture 3 (How to Manage Common Diseases and Conditions in Patients with Risk Factors for Vascular Disease)

Click HERE for Lecture 4 (Trend of Vascular Disease)

Vascular health

noreply@blogger.com (bloggerking) — Sun, 11 May 2008 03:07:00 +0000

Vascular health refers to the well being of the blood vessels which are the pathways of the cardiovascular system. Blood vessels can become unhealthy through a process called atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is the build-up of plaque, which is often made of cholesterol and other fatty substances. This plaque can line the artery wall, blocking blood flow and possibly leading to a heart attack or stroke. Certain risk factors like high cholesterol, hypertension, diabetes, obesity and smoking, can put people at a higher risk for vascular diseases like coronary heart disease, stroke and peripheral vascular disease.

Click HERE to view the video and learn the basics of vascular health.

Click HERE to learn about your cholesterols.

Calculating heart disease risk

noreply@blogger.com (bloggerking) — Sat, 10 May 2008 03:20:00 +0000

The Framingham Heart Disease Epidemiology Study produced a strategy to calculate the risk of developing one of the following conditions in the next 10 years:

* Angina (certain type of chest pain, pressure or discomfort)
* Heart attack
* Heart-related death

To calculate this risk, the score sheet looks at uncontrollable and controllable risk factors, including:

* Age
* Gender
* Total cholesterol
* HDL cholesterol
* Systolic blood pressure (and whether a person is being treated for high blood pressure)
* Whether or not a person smokes

Each of these factors is assigned a point value. These points are added and then divided by the total risk factors present in a person of similar age and gender who is at low risk. The final risk is presented as a multiple of the ideal low-risk person.

In other words, a person with a reading of 5 would be five times more likely to suffer a major heart-related problem in the next 10 years than someone of similar age and gender who is at low risk.

As researchers learn more, they are working to identify new risk factors for heart disease, although these are not yet part of the standard Framingham risk-assessment model. These new risk factors include:

* Homocysteine. Framingham research has found that high levels of homocysteine may contribute to heart disease, stroke and reduced blood flow to the hands and feet. Homocysteine may contribute to the buildup of fatty substances in the arteries, increase platelet “stickiness” and make blood vessels less flexible. The level of homocysteine appears to have genetic factors and dietary factors, and it can be lowered through dietary changes or taking folic acid and vitamin B supplements.

* Lipoprotein(a) or Lp(a). This lipoprotein is a component of LDL cholesterol. It is thought to inhibit the breakup of blood clots.

* Infectious disease. Framingham investigators are pursuing links between heart disease and viruses, which may harm blood vessel walls and aggravate atherosclerosis. Such diseases include chlamydia, H. pylori and cytomegalovirus.

Blood clots

noreply@blogger.com (bloggerking) — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 14:15:00 +0000

Blood clotting is a natural process in which blood cells and fibrin strands rapidly form a clump to stop bleeding after a blood vessel has been injured. Eventually the clot will form a protective scab over a wounded blood vessel, allowing it to heal. If the body did not have the ability to form blood clots, people would bleed to death after even a minor cut.

Sometimes, however, blood clots form even when a person has not been injured. Although most blood clots tend to dissolve on their own with no long-term problems, there are situations in which blood clots can cause medical problems. Blood clots become dangerous when they block blood flow through an artery or vein.

When a blood clot blocks blood flow to an artery in the heart or brain, a heart attack or stroke may result. Blood clots can also block veins and arteries throughout the body, causing diseases that range from varicose veins to a life-threatening pulmonary embolism.

Physicians treat blood clots with a variety of methods. Medications such as anticoagulants (which help prevent blood clots) and clot busters (which help to dissolve blood clots) are prescribed to prevent and treat blood clots. In more serious situations, physicians might opt for a catheter-based procedure, which uses a long, thin tube called a catheter, or even surgery to remove the clot (thrombectomy). In addition, devices may be implanted into certain blood vessels to catch blood clots before they can cause serious damage.

LDL "bad" cholesterol and food

noreply@blogger.com (bloggerking) — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 10:11:00 +0000

A high level of LDL "bad" cholesterol can be dangerous because it puts a person at greater risk of hardened arteries (atherosclerosis) and coronary artery disease. If a blood test shows an elevated level of LDL cholesterol (130 milligrams per deciliter or higher), it is important to lower it to a healthier level.

Healthy diet choices and exercise are the first line of defense against high LDL cholesterol. Fatty and processed foods can elevate LDL cholesterol, whereas certain other foods can reduce it.

Foods that are naturally high in cholesterol include liver, eggs, red meat and high fat milk products.

Foods that are naturally low in cholesterol include skimmed milk products, certain types of fish and vegetables.

It is also thought that eating foods that contain soy protein may lower total and LDL cholesterol levels, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Knowing which foods to avoid and which to include in the diet will not only improve cholesterol levels but will improve overall health as well. Physical activity is also an excellent strategy for reducing LDL cholesterol.

If diet and exercise strategies are unsuccessful in reducing levels of LDL cholesterol, a cholesterol-reducing drug may be prescribed.

What is "Coronary artery disease (CAD)"?

noreply@blogger.com (bloggerking) — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 14:02:00 +0000

What is "Coronary artery disease (CAD)"? It is a chronic disease in which blood flow is obstructed through the coronary arteries that supply the heart with oxygen-rich blood. This obstruction is a result of atherosclerosis, i.e. hardening of the arteries. It is the most common form of cardiovascular disease in the United States today.
It all starts with the inner lining of the artery (e.g., the endothelium) being damaged. Atherosclerosis is a slow process taking decades before the patient is in danger of cardiovascular problems. The damaged lining causes white blood cells to gather at the site of the injury. This in turn provokes an inflammatory immune response that causes further damage to the artery wall.
Years after this, large toxic LDL cholesterol molecules can penetrate into the artery wall. The white blood cells and cholesterol combine to form a lipid foam. In the early stages of atherosclerosis, these fatty streaks are present on the arterial wall as plaque deposits.

This reduces the artery's ability to contract and expand and narrows the artery. This in turn leads to a reduction of the amount of blood that can flow through it. Sometimes the plaque deposit may rupture, pieces of the plaque can travel through the arteries until they eventually cause a blockage. The final result is often a heart attack.

Many CAD patients have symptoms such as chest pain (angina) and fatigue, which occur when the heart isn't receiving adequate oxygen. Unfortunately, many patients have no symptoms until a heart attack occurs.

Some of the strategies that could help reduce risk factors for CAD are as follows:

1) Learning your family medical history
2) Eating a heart-healthy diet
3) Improving your cholesterol ratio
4) Controlling homocysteine levels
5) Exercising regularly
6) Controlling diabetes
7) Controlling high blood pressure
8) Achieving and maintaining a healthy weight
9) Managing stress
10) Quitting smoking (or not starting to smoke)
11) Controlling chronic depression

Statin over the counter?

noreply@blogger.com (bloggerking) — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 12:59:00 +0000

The US government is questioning if too many of the wrong people will take cholesterol-lowering Mevacor if it's sold without a prescription.

The manufacturer said selling a low dose of this long-used medication on drugstore shelves could get millions of people at moderate risk of heart disease important treatment that they otherwise may miss.

A preliminary Food and Drug Administration review agreed that nonprescription Mevacor would be "a reasonably safe and effective" option -- if consumers used it as directed.
The manufacturer will present its case to the FDA's independent scientific advisers, hoping they will recommend that Mevacor become the first in the family of cholesterol-lowering "statin" drugs to be sold in the country without a prescription.

Palpitations

noreply@blogger.com (bloggerking) — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 14:03:00 +0000

A change in the heart's rhythm or rate or an increase in the force of its contractions often lead to palpitation evident by a strong, fast, irregular, abnormal heartbeat. Fortunately, palpitations are usually brief, and the majority of them are benign.

However, more serious palpitations may be caused by an underlying heart-related condition (e.g., coronary artery disease or mitral valve prolapse), or they may be due to other situations (e.g., stress or overuse of caffeine). Palpitations are also frequently caused by psychological disorders, such as panic attacks or depression. Some palpitations have no known cause.

Palpitations associated with coronary artery disease have the highest risk of fatal arrhythmias, or abnormal heartbeats. These palpitations are more likely to be accompanied by other symptoms, such as sweating, chest pain, dizziness, shortness of breath, nausea and lightheadedness.

Some patients with palpitations feel as if they are having a heart attack. While this sensation is uncomfortable and even jolting at times, it is only occasionally a sign of a serious problem. Nevertheless, a patient experiencing palpitations, especially when accompanied by one or more of the above symptoms, should seek medical attention.

DHA enhances the effectiveness of statin medication

noreply@blogger.com (bloggerking) — Thu, 22 Nov 2007 04:57:00 +0000

Like the omega-3 fatty acid EPA, DHA also enhances the effectiveness of statin medication in patients with high blood lipids by lowering triglycerides by about 27%.

In previous studies it was reported that patients taking statin medications to lower their LDL-cholesterol (“bad”) levels experienced additional hearth health benefits when they added EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid, a long-chain omega-3 fatty acid) to their treatment. Besides lowering their LDL-cholesterol levels, they had significantly fewer major coronary events, such as a heart attack or coronary bypass surgery, less unstable angina (chest pain because of heart disease) and fewer other non-fatal heart problems. What made these findings even more surprising is that they occurred in a large sample of Japanese patients with high cholesterol and triglyceride (blood fat) levels who already consume much more fish and long-chain omega-3 fatty acids than most people in western countries. In these 61-year-old patients, increased intake of EPA improved their heart health.

A new study from Australia reported that in a sample of 45 patients taking statins to improve their blood lipids, the addition of tuna oil to their treatment provided greater heart health benefits than statins alone. These patients had both high cholesterol and triglyceride levels. They were divided into 3 groups: one taking just over 1 g/day of DHA (docosahexaenoic acid, a long-chain omega-3 fatty acid abundant in tuna oil), another taking just over 2 g/day of DHA and a control group consuming olive oil. Tuna oil also contains about 25% EPA in addition to DHA. After 3 and 6 months, the investigators measured their patients’ blood lipid levels.

Over the course of the study, all patients consuming tuna oil saw their blood triglyceride levels fall. Those taking the highest dose, 2 g of DHA/day, experienced a significant drop in their triglycerides after only 3 months. At 6 months, their triglycerides remained significantly lower, but did not decrease further. In the group taking 1 g/day of DHA, their triglycerides fell at both 3 and 6 months, but the drop did not reach statistical significance.

These 2 studies and previous reports of fish oil and blood lipids indicate that patients taking statin medications may obtain additional heart health advantages by consuming marine omega-3s – the long-chain ones, EPA and DHA – found abundantly in fatty fish or fish oil supplements. These fatty acids have the advantage over other drugs in being well tolerated, safe and without adverse side effects. In this case, food can be your medicine!

Potential negative side effects of anti-cholesterol drugs

noreply@blogger.com (bloggerking) — Sun, 11 Nov 2007 13:29:00 +0000

There are a number of side effects that could occur as a result of taking cholesterol reducers, but fortunately, side effect frequency is low. Muscle aches can occur with statin use and must be immediately reported to a physician. Certain cholesterol-lowering medications can also produce abnormal liver function in approximately 2 percent of the population, which can be diagnosed by periodic liver enzyme testing. In rare cases, this may lead to liver failure. Patients with moderate or severe liver disease should not take statins. For the most part, abnormal liver function is reversible when the statin is discontinued.

A rare, but potentially fatal side effect of some cholesterol-reducing drugs (statins and certain fibrates) is rhabdomyolysis, a severe muscle reaction in which muscle cells break down, releasing their contents into the bloodstream. Physicians can monitor patients for this complication by checking muscle enzyme levels (e.g., creatine phosphokinase [CPK]) in the blood. It most often affects the muscles in the back or lower calves. Some patients report no symptoms and in rare cases rhabdomyolysis can lead to kidney or other organ failure and death. Patients should report any of the following symptoms of rhabdomyolysis to their physicians immediately:

1) Muscle cramps, pain, swelling, weakness, stiffness and/or tenderness
2) Fever
3) Dark urine
4) Nausea and/or vomiting
5) Malaise (a general feeling of illness or discomfort)

Risk of this severe complication appears to be higher in elderly patients, those taking high doses of statin and those taking statins in conjunction with a fibrate (e.g., fenofibrate, gemfibrozil). In 2001, one type of statin, called cerivastatin was voluntarily withdrawn from the market by its manufacturer due to reports that fatal cases of rhabdomyolysis had been significantly more common with cerivastatin than with other approved statin drugs.

Statins carry a very low risk of side effects to the nervous system, including tingling, numbness and burning pain. These manifestations are known as peripheral neuropathy.

Very low LDL cholesterol produces greatest decrease in risk of atherosclerotic disease

noreply@blogger.com (bloggerking) — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 04:28:00 +0000

According to US and German researchers, reducing LDL cholesterol to levels considerably below current recommended targets appears to provide greater protection in patients with established atherosclerotic disease.

The lowest risk was seen in patients who had achieved levels below 64 mg/dL.
Further analysis showed that that risk of individual events including fatal and non-fatal myocardial infarction and stroke were significantly reduced with lower LDL levels. Also, deaths from any cause or non-cardiovascular causes, were lowest in patients with the lowest on-treatment LDL levels.

Heart Attack Prevention - Alternative Treatment for Heart Disease - Reversing Heart Disease

noreply@blogger.com (bloggerking) — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 13:57:00 +0000

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4 factors you have to watch out for

noreply@blogger.com (bloggerking) — Sun, 14 Oct 2007 06:05:00 +0000

1) Cholesterol - Too much fat from food contributes to hardening of the arteries as well as to obesity. A total cholesterol of 200 mg/dL or lower is recommended. A total cholesterol level above 240 is considered high. However, aim to keep your level of HDL, or "good" cholesterol, over 40 mg/dL. High total or LDL ("bad") cholesterol can be dangerous, but high HDL levels may help to decrease the risk of heart disease.

2)Blood Pressure - A normal blood pressure reading is less than 120/80. Anything above 140/90 indicates hypertension. Hypertension, or high blood pressure, places extra stress on your heart, increasing the risk of heart disease.

3) Diabetes - Unwanted changes in blood vessels resulting from the presence of diabetes can greatly increase the risk of heart disease. Individuals with diabetes should closely monitor their heart health, watch their diet, exercise and reduce exposure to alcohol and cigarette smoke.

4) Smoking - Smoking can double your risk of developing coronary heart disease. It can narrow your blood vessels and contribute to elevated blood pressure. However, the good news is: Smokers who quit can, in a relatively short amount of time, considerably reduce their risk of heart disease.

Statin Helps Prevent Heart Attack After 10 Years

noreply@blogger.com (bloggerking) — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 10:31:00 +0000

According to a long term study (New England Journal of Medicine), cholesterol-lowering statin drugs help prevent heart attacks for at least ten years after people stop taking them.

There was a 25 percent lower risk of heart attack or death from heart disease among the group of people who took statin, when compared with the placebo group.
While the study found protection lasted after statin use stopped, the drugs usually are prescribed indefinitely, especially for people with known heart disease. Federal guidelines say these drugs are very safe and may be used by people with LDL levels as low as 130, or even 100 if they are at very high risk of heart attack.

Statin's protective effect was believed to be due to existing plaque being stabilized and the progression of coronary artery disease was slowed.
According to the National Cholesterol Education Program and leading heart doctor groups, it is recommended to cut the LDL level to below 70 for patients at very high risk of a heart attack, below 100 for high-risk patients and below 130 for moderate-risk patients.

Blood Pressure Reduction Guide

noreply@blogger.com (bloggerking) — Sat, 06 Oct 2007 05:10:00 +0000

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Why you need to take Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs) every day

noreply@blogger.com (bloggerking) — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 07:40:00 +0000

1) Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs) are necessary fats that humans cannot synthesize, and therefore must be obtained through diet. EFAs are long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids derived from linolenic, linoleic, and oleic acids. There are two families of EFAs: Omega-3 and Omega-6.

2) EFAs support the cardiovascular, reproductive, immune, and nervous systems. The human body needs EFAs to manufacture and repair cell membranes, enabling the cells to obtain optimum nutrition and expel harmful waste products. A primary function of EFAs is the production of prostaglandins, which regulate body functions such as heart rate, blood pressure, blood clotting, fertility, conception, and play a role in immune function by regulating inflammation and encouraging the body to fight infection.

3) Essential Fatty Acids are also needed for proper growth in children, particularly for brain development and maturation of sensory systems, with male children having higher needs than females.

4) EFA deficiency is common in the United States, particularly Omega-3 deficiency. An ideal intake ratio of Omega-6 to Omega-3 fatty acids is between 1:1 and 4:1, with most Americans only obtaining a ratio between 10:1 and 25:1. The minimum healthy intake for both linolenic (Omega-3) and linoleic (Omega-6) acid via diet, per adult per day, is 1.5 grams of each. One tablespoon of flaxseed oil can provide this amount, or larger amounts of other linolenic-rich foods. Because high heat destroys linolenic acid, cooking in linolenic-rich oils or eating cooked linolenic-rich fish is unlikely to provide a sufficient amount.

5) EFA deficiency and Omega 6/3 imbalance is linked with serious health conditions, such as heart attacks, cancer, insulin resistance, asthma, lupus, schizophrenia, depression, postpartum depression, accelerated aging, stroke, obesity, diabetes, arthritis, ADHD, and Alzheimer's Disease, among others.

Coping with Stress May Improve HDL Levels

noreply@blogger.com (bloggerking) — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 14:00:00 +0000

Scientists from the University of Hawaii recently found that people who cope with stress well may have higher HDL ("good") cholesterol levels than people who cannot handle stress well.

The findings showed an interesting relationship between cholesterol and stress. More research based on this is expected to be carried out.

As regards the controlling of stress, the first step toward dealing with stress usually involves identifying the factors causing the stress such as a career change, moving and a death in the family.

Unfortunately, the causes of stress are sometimes more subtle. The trials and tribulations of daily life can increase the stress levels of even the most calm and peaceful person.