It can be devastating to find that you have high cholesterol. There are so many dangerous health risks involved with having high cholesterol and lowering it quickly becomes a number one priority for both you as the patient and for your doctors, often starting with high levels of medication. But all medications have side effects and cholesterol medications are no different than any other category of medicine. There must be a better way to lower your cholesterol, rather than turning to high doses of drugs!

Before looking at the natural ways to reduce cholesterol, the patient must first understand exactly why reducing cholesterol is so important. First, when your cholesterol is lowered, you greatly reduce your overall risk of having serious cardio vascular conditions, such as a heart attack or a stroke. Also, lowering cholesterol reduces the formation of new plaque in your arteries, as well as reducing the existing plaque you have. Finally, the plaque buildup in your arteries is in danger of rupturing, causing serious problems and lowering the overall cholesterol prevents this complication.

The first thing to do to naturally improve your health by lowering cholesterol is to reduce the amount of calories that are in your diet from fat. Around thirty percent of the calories you consume should come from fat and no more. Also, avoid over eating any form of food, as your body turns unneeded foot indo fat, which raises your cholesterol rate.

There are several holistic medications, or herbal remedies, you can take to lower the level of the \”bad\”, or LDL cholesterol, in your body. One option is guggulu, which is taken from the mukul myrrh tree. This herb helps lower both blood pressure and cholesterol. It is taken as an extract.

Policosanol is a second option for herbal cholesterol remedies. This herb comes from the wax in sugar cane and is highly effective in lowering LDL in the blood stream. Also, there are relatively few side effects to policosanol.

Pantethine is a great herbal cholesterol treatment option because while it works to reduce the levels of LDL cholesterol, it also increases the levels of HDL, which is the type of cholesterol your body needs. The side effects of most cholesterol medications are non-existent with pantethine.

Garlic and fish oil are two natural items you can take to improve your overall heart health. Garlic seems to have properties that help reduce the build up of arteriosclerosis. Fish oil contains helpful fats that lower cholesterol, particularly in women and also help prevent blood clots. For those who do not take much garlic and fish in their natural diet, these substances can be taken in capsule form.

Exercise is key to overall heart health. While it may not have a direct correlation to cholesterol, exercise does keep the body from building up too much fat, which will eventually lower the level of LDL in the blood stream. Also, studies seem to indicate that those who are smokers and quit the habit also see a lowered risk of cholesterol. These supplements and simple precautions can make great strides in keeping you healthily for many years to come!

Michael Russell\r Your Independent guide to Cholesterol

How To Naturally Lower Cholesterol
If you have high cholesterol and are looking for a way to reduce your cholesterol levels, then let me show you how to naturally lower cholesterol. My wife actually did this natural method and reduced her cholesterol from 226 down to 183 in about 3 months. It was truly amazing, and when you compare it to using medicine to do this, it is a fairly simple decision on which method to use.My wife naturally has high cholesterol. It seems to run in her f...

How To Lower Your Cholesterol
Everybody talks about cholesterol. Do you really know what it is (besides r being bad for you)?Well, cholesterol is a soft, waxy substance. It is found in all of the parts ofr your body. Your body makes cholesterol. Cholesterol also comes from ther food that we eat.The truth is that you need cholesterol in order for your system to work.r However, too much cholesterol, or the wrong type of cholesterol clogsr your arteries. This, naturally, le...

5 Tips on How To Lower Cholesterol Naturally
We all need a certain amount of cholesterol for good health as it plays an important role in all cell membrane structure. Luckily our bodies are able to manufacture the cholesterol we need from healthy fats in the diet.High cholesterol however can cause heart disease, increasing the risk of heart attack or stroke.Here are some tips on how to lower blood cholesterol levels naturally:1. Decrease intake of animal products in your diet.The only sourc...

How to Lower LDL Cholesterol Numbers Naturally
You probably already know, cholesterol is a naturally occurring waxy substance that is manufactured by the human body. A certain amount of cholesterol is healthy but too much can lead to a variety of serious health problems such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease and stroke.LDL stands for "low-density lipoprotein" and is sometimes referred to as bad cholesterol. The LDL transports cholesterol into the arteries while the...

HDL Versus LDL Cholesterol
High cholesterol is the cause of thickening artery walls that can lead to atherosclerosis, heart attacks and strokes. Unless treatment is put in place to lower cholesterol levels the person could suffer from one of the aforementioned conditions. Part of the treatment for high cholesterol is understanding why high cholesterol levels occur. This is due to the way cholesterol is transported throughout the body. This article will look at this in rela...

Hawthorne berries extract is an old herbal remedy for heart conditions. Today, Hawthorne berry tea is packaged and sold as a natural health supplement and the extract is an ingredient in some products designed to promote heart health.

Legends, historical evidence and scientific evaluation surround hawthorne berries extract. One Christian legend holds that the Crown of Thorns was made from the hawthorne tree or bush, which originally grew in Europe, Asia, Northern Africa and much of the Mediterranean region. Today, the shrub grows in many other areas of the world and the berries are believed by some to have miraculous healing properties.

Archeologists have found evidence that appears to indicate that ancient Chinese people used the berries to make a fermented beverage. Remnants of hawthorne berries extract have been found in pottery jars dating to pre-Christian times, around 7000 B.C. It is believed that these beverages were medically or religiously significant, even then.

The New York Medical Journal first published a report concerning the use of hawthorne berries extract in the treatment of heart disease in October 1896. A Dr. Green of Ennis, Ireland had developed a reputation for curing heart disease, but refused to share his secret with colleagues. After his death, his daughter revealed the name of the remedy used by her father. The name was Crataegus Oxycantha, the older botanical name for the Common Hawthorn. The official designation is now Crataegus monogyna, but the older name is often used. According to his notes, the doctor did not use hawthorne berry tea per se, but a kind of concentrate.

Clinical trials and research continued on the medicinal value of hawthorne berries extract throughout the early 1900s and is still going on today. Scientific evaluation of the benefits of hawthorne berry tea to human health has only been partially completed. It is believed that antioxidants, flavonoids or other compounds such as epicatechin, quercetin and rutin, are responsible for the beneficial effects of hawthorne berries extract. It is sometimes added to health supplements designed to promote heart health, reduce blood pressure and correct unhealthy cholesterol levels.

The most recent studies of the medicinal value of hawthorn berries extract are related to its affect on the liver, the digestive system, the cardiovascular system and as an anti-inflammatory. Numerous studies have been completed. These studies do not use hawthorne berry tea, but a concentrated extract.

The hawthorne berries extract used by scientists has natural anti-inflammatory action. Chronic inflammation has been associated with numerous life threatening conditions including cancer and heart disease, but use of the known anti-inflammatory drugs does not reduce the risk of developing these conditions. In fact, NSAIDs increase blood pressure, which in turn increases the risk of heart disease and can be damaging to other organs of the body, as well.

On the other hand, it is believed that natural anti-inflammatories, such as those found in hawthorne berry tea, but also present in other fruits and vegetables can reduce cancer risks and the risk of heart disease. These natural compounds can also lower blood pressure and reduce blood cholesterol levels, two major risk factors for heart disease.

Hawthorne berries extract has been shown to reduce ulcerative colitis, probably due, once again, to its anti-inflammatory activity. Ulcerative colitis is one of the inflammatory bowel diseases. While not life threatening, it is difficult to live with and the best known treatment for many years was surgical removal of the affected parts of the bowel and colon. Some herbalists recommend hawthorne berry tea for people suffering from ulcerative colitis and other digestive problems.

Hawthorne berries extract has been shown to protect the liver from damage usually associated with cardiac events in laboratory animals. After a heart attack, liver function is impaired. The exact reasons for the beneficial affects of hawthorn berries extract on the liver are unknown.

In the vascular system, hawthorne berries extract has been shown to reduce calcification. It is calcification of arterial plaques that leads to atherosclerosis, which is commonly referred to as a hardening or narrowing of the arteries leading to the heart. Calcification of arterial plaques can also cause blood clots, leading to strokes and heart attacks. It is unknown if consuming hawthorne berry tea can provide the same benefits to the hearts of humans, since scientific studies have only been performed using lab animals and extracts.

Even though some health care professionals have recognized the medicinal value of hawthorne berries extract for over 100 years, research related to them is still considered preliminary. Most scientific research is funded by pharmaceutical companies and pharmaceutical companies cannot patent naturally occurring substances. So, hawthorne berry tea and other natural remedies are of little interest to them.

To learn more about health supplements containing hawthorne berries extract and other natural ingredients that may protect the health of your heart, please visit Heart Health Diet Tips.com

Patsy Hamilton was a health care professional for over twenty years before becoming a freelance writer. Currently she is writing a series of articles about heart health. Read more at http://heart-health-diet-tips.com

Hawthorne Berries and Heart Health
The Hawthorne berry is the fruit of the Common Hawthorne or Midland Hawthorne, a low growing shrub or small tree, with waxy leaves similar to the holly tree. Hawthorne berries are not commonly used as a food source, today, but the extract is found in some health supplements that promote heart and vascular health.Apparently, the Hawthorne berry was used to make a fermented beverage in China, during per-historic times. Remnants of Hawthorne berri...

Royal Jelly And Cardiovascular Disease
Royal jelly is helping to prevent cardiovascular disease. Those that are looking for a natural product to consume that will aid in benefiting their health should take a good look at royal jelly and what it can do for the individual. Learning what royal jelly extract is will help you to see that it has many health benefits including cardiovascular benefits. Royal jelly and skin disorders are also linked as is the benefits of anti aging, depress...

Cholesterol Normal Levels
When it comes to heart health, cholesterol plays a serious role. High levels of cholesterol in the blood is a significant risk factor with coronary heart disease and stroke. That should be enough reason to find out your cholesterol level and if any kind of corrective action should be taken. This section should help you determine the range considered normal levels of cholesterol.Below 200 mg/dL for total cholesterol is normal and puts you at a muc...

Learn About Cholesterol Lowering Vitamins
The key to lowering your bad cholesterol level is cholesterol lowering vitamins. It is very important that you avoid at all costs the dangerous drugs that many take. To confirm the potency, all cholesterol lowering vitamins must be manufactured at a pharmaceutical GMP compliant facility and their ingredients must be verified with a certificate of analysis.Customers and consumers have only 1 in 5 chances of actually buying cholesterol lowering vit...

Signs and Symptoms of Heart Disease
Signs of heart disease can vary tremendously from patient to patient. In most cases, the first signs of heart disease is actually a discomfort or abnormal sensation in the chest. It is usually a bit too late to only see a doctor when it starts to hurt. Breathing difficulty, light-headedness, palpitations or feeling faint are also possible signs of heart disease. These are vital information you will need to share with your doctor.Another key early...

Hypertension is a very common problem that people are suffering from today. It is predominantly a lifestyle disorder that sometimes becomes difficult to fight against. But then, there is nothing much to worry about. There are many natural treatments that help in lowering high blood pressure. Of them the best and the most effective is the use of garlic. Many people are still unaware of this fact but garlic has considerable positive effects in reducing hypertension.

Garlic belongs to the family of vegetables that is known to have an impeccable effect on the whole cardiovascular system. But the effects are only visible when they are made a part of your daily diet. Garlic shows more immediate effects on people who suffer from mild form of hypertension.

Studies over the time have shown the therapeutic working of garlic over high blood pressure. It has been shown that garlic works in the direction of maintaining normal blood pressure by reducing the spasms occurring in the veins that carry blood. The various elements present in garlic also work positively by bringing down the pulse rate of the heart to moderate levels. These elements are known as alliin, allicin and allinase.

Besides, a positive effect on the heart and the related organs, it also has positive effect on the stomach, as it keeps the digestive tract in a healthy state. Thus, garlic is not only used in healing heart-related disorders but also for curing other problems like inflammation and several infections.

Moreover, consumption of fresh garlic cloves has far better results than consuming them in cooked form in the food or in dried form. This is because, the active elements present in garlic get destroyed when heated or dried. Moreover, if you are unable to consume fresh garlic cloves, you can also take it in the form of supplements, which are available in the form of capsules. But, a note of caution here. You should always take garlic supplements under the medical supervision of a good doctor. As much intake of garlic can start thinning blood.

Nevertheless, to fasten your hypertension healing process you can supplement your garlic-therapy with a good and regular exercising regime. Also a comprehensive healthy diet plan can add more inertia in treating your high blood pressure.

To know more about high blood pressure remedies and low blood pressure remedies visit http://www.blood-pressure-updates.com/bp/magazine/edition/Blood-Pressure-Diet.htm

Have You Thought About A Natural Herbal Remedy For High Blood Pressure?
If you have been diagnosed with high blood pressure (HBP) you may be worried about taking the conventional medications. This article considers some other ways of lowering your pressure such as herbal remedies and other natural ways.The most natural treatment is of course is making changes to your lifestyle. These are the main ones -- losing weight, if overweight; becoming physically active; limiting salt and sodium; and avoiding drinking excess ...

Alternative Blood Pressure Treatment - The Hawthorn Option
Every year millions of people are diagnosed with hypertension, or high blood pressure, and millions more develop it without ever being diagnosed. If you are someone trying to cope with high blood pressure, you know that it is not as simple as finding a safe and effective medication, and returning to business as usual. You realize that your doctor and/or pharmacist can advise you on an appropriate medication. You, however, are more interested i...

How I Reduced My Blood Pressure Within 63 Days
High blood pressure is the cause of millions of deaths every year around the globe because it leads to heart attacks, heart disease, strokes and other health related problem.What are the causes of Hypertension? (a) Use of tobacco and cigarette, alcohol(b)Anxieties, stress, poor diet, lack of physical exercise, lack of sleep are also responsible for these symptoms.(c) Use of some medications can also cause hypertension. Instead of taking a couple ...

Determining Your Causes Of High Blood Pressure
If you have been diagnosed with high blood pressure its likely that you suddenly have many questions. Understanding how blood pressure, left untreated, can negatively impact your body is first and foremost. Grasping the enormity of the lifestyle changes you may have to make can be overwhelming. But across the board, those who suffer from this condition want to know and understand the causes of high blood pressure.Everyone is different; and for th...

Using Herbs For High Blood Pressure
For the millions of people who suffer from high blood pressure, finding a way to successfully manage the condition is of paramount concern. Many begin with a strident diet and exercise program in which food with excessive salt, fat, and preservatives are all but eliminated along with nicotine, excessive alcohol, and caffeine. Instead, the diet is infused with natural, whole foods, and increased water. Additionally patients are asked to embark upo...

Most people have heard the statistics for their own country. Cardiovascular disease is the number one leading cause of death or number two or three. But what about other nations? Are their statistics similar to those of your nation? Is cardiovascular disease as prevalent in New Zealand as it is in Latin America? Is it as much a leading cause of death in Japan as it is in the Middle East Crescent?

What is the global prevalence of cardiovascular disease?

Global Prevalence of Cardiovascular Disease

The global prevalence of cardiovascular disease is a big topic, given the fact that a number of different diseases fall into this large umbrella category.

The World Health Organization (WHO), however, provides certain global health statistics from 1990 (Murray CJL & Lopez AD, 1996). Statistics are provided for Established Market Economies, which are Australia, Canada, Europe, Japan, New Zealand, and the USA. In addition, WHO provides statistics for formerly Socialist regions of the world as a group, India, China, other Asian and island regions, the group of African regions south of the Sahara, Latin American and Caribbean countries, and countries in the Middle East crescent area.

From those statistics, we can see the global prevalence of cardiovascular disease in three categories: coronary heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.

Coronary Heart Disease

Coronary heart disease, involving angina, typically manifests itself as chest pain. The pain is caused by arterial blockage, which deprives the heart of vital oxygen.

The global prevalence of cardiovascular disease that is coronary in nature appears to follow a fast-moving, stressful lifestyle. Coronary heart disease (CHD) is most prevalent in the Established Market Economies. In those combined countries, 8.2 million people had the disease at the time of the study. India had 6.6 million cases. In former Socialist countries, the number was 5.8 million. The region with the lowest prevalence of coronary heart disease was sub-Saharan Africa. This may be due, at least in part, to the slow pace of life in that region.

Stroke

The global prevalence of cardiovascular disease that manifests as stroke also appears to follow a fast-moving, stressful lifestyle.

This study found 9.5 million cases of stroke in the Established Market Economies and only 1.3 million in sub-Saharan Africa. Interestingly, China was second in this category, 7.4 million people with stroke. Yet China ranked fourth in CHD, with 4.5 million people.

Diabetes

The Established Market Economies led the way again in global prevalence of cardiovascular disease manifested through diabetes. At the time of the study, 37.9 million people in these nations had diabetes. The runner-up was India, with less than half as many cases: 18.1 million. Sub-Saharan Africa had only 3.9 million cases.

In Summary

Having viewed the global prevalence of cardiovascular disease, one is forced to ask why. Why is it that regions with wealth, regions that hold some of the greatest medical expertise in the world, have a greater prevalence of cardiovascular disease? Why is it that strokes and diabetes strike more people in the metropolises of the Established Market Economies than in the villages of Africa?

The layman can only conclude that, for all of our knowledge regarding cardiovascular disease, we are woefully lacking in applying that knowledge to prevention.

CAUTION: The author is not a medical professional, and offers the information in this article for educational purposes only.

2007, Anna Hart. Anna is married to a man who suffers from genetic cardiovascular disease, and brings to her writing years of experience and research. She invites you to read more of her articles about cardiovascular disease at http://www.your-heart-disease-blog.com. You wont want to miss Annas additional insights and perspectives on cardiovascular disease prevention. Visit Anna now.

Royal Jelly And Cardiovascular Disease
Royal jelly is helping to prevent cardiovascular disease. Those that are looking for a natural product to consume that will aid in benefiting their health should take a good look at royal jelly and what it can do for the individual. Learning what royal jelly extract is will help you to see that it has many health benefits including cardiovascular benefits. Royal jelly and skin disorders are also linked as is the benefits of anti aging, depress...

Congenital Heart Disease - An Overview
The term congenital heart disease refers to heart defects present in newborns, and results from the failure of one of the hearts structures, or the blood vessels surrounding the heart, to develop normally.A baby suffering from congenital heart disease will experience obstructed blood flow from the malformed blood vessels, which forces blood back into the heart and puts an additional strain on it. Congenital heart disease can result in an opening...

Causes of Ischemia
There are several causes for the development of Ischaemic heart disease. Among them we can count: diabetes, cholesterol level, smoking, obesity, hypertension (high blood pressure), emotional stress, high-fat diet, lack of exercise, abnormal heart valve function, abnormal heart rhythm, genetic and hereditary factors (Ischaemic heart disease runs in the family). Some heart diseases such as congenital heart disease are present at birth.For exampl...

The Role Of Physical Activity In The Alternation Of Cholesterol Level
More and more people especially working adults do not have sufficient physical activity either due to tight work schedules or unhealthy lifestyles. This increases their risk of getting heart disease, stroke, and cancer.So what is physical activity? It is defined as participation in any form of regular exercise or sports for at least 30 minutes per day on most days of the week. It is broadly agreed that regular exercise reduces the risk of develop...

Preventing Congestive Heart Disease
For most people who have it congestive heart disease is preventable or even reversible if caught early enough. Its causes and effects are directly related to lifestyle choices and in some cases to other underlying diseases that can cause it symptoms. Smoking, obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, physical inactivity, metabolic syndrome, and diet are all risk factors for this most deadly of diseases.These risk factors can cause atherosclerosis, ...

Concerning refibrillation, Stults and Brown carried out a research and 271 cases in ventricular fibrillation were studied. These 271 patients were assisted by EMT-Ds without being supported by paramedics. The EMTs succeeded to render the heart rhythm to normal for 111 patients. 19 (17%) of the 271 patients refibrillated before the arrival at the hospital, and 11 out of the 19 were brought back to having normal cardiac rhythm. For the 111 patients that were rehabilitated, the admission rates were 53%. This is a low number compared to the 73% admission rate for the patients who did not refibrillate. The discharge rates were almost similar 37% for those who refibrillated and 35% for those who did not.

The research has also shown the fact that the times of transportation from the scene of the incident to the hospital did not influence the frequency of the refibrillation or the survival rate. However, this research has proven that the defibrillation-trained EMTs can successfully deal with refibrillation even if there are no paramedics assisting their work.

Another study has observed the incidence and time course of refibrillation and the survival rate. This study has been done on 49 adults that were administrated the Basic Life Support treatment (BLS). 44% of the patients received cardiopulmonary resuscitation. On average, the first shock was administrated after 6.1 minutes after the occurrence of the cardiac arrest. 61% of the patients refibrillated under BLS treatment, 35% of which more than once. The BLS treatment was associated with survival at discharge and neurological outcome the percentage being 41%. This study proves that refibrillation does not always mean survival to hospital discharge - however, it might indicate higher chances of survival for patients.

Studies in AED and EMT using manual defibrillation were conducted to determine whether there are differences in time to defibrillation. For AEDs usage 1 minute was needed, while for the manual defibrillation done by EMTs, 2 minutes were required.

Bocka has proven in a study that people using automatic external defibrillators were 30 seconds quicker than people using semiautomatic device. Early Seattle studies found a significant difference in time to defibrillation: 1.1 minutes for AEDs versus 2 minutes for EMTs with manual defibrillators. Bocka found that EMTs using fully automatic defibrillators in the field were on average 30 seconds faster than counterparts using semiautomatic devices. These studies show that having an AED at hand at all times is clearly an advantage and therefore, must be prioritized.

More resources from the author:
\r Biphasic AED defibrillators
\r AED mandates
\r CPR and AED resources on automated external defibrillators

Defibrillators- Will You Be the Next One Saved by an AED?
AED stands for Automated External Defibrillator. An AED, or Automated External Defibrillator is a lightweight, portable Defibrillator made for use by the general public.People most likely to benefit from having a defibrillator in their home are those with known risk factors for cardiac arrest or defibrillation. If you choose not to have a defibrillator are you saying that your premises are more important than the people within it? No, most likely...

AEDs Save Lives
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What Is Sudden Cardiac Death?
If you can still remember, three young high profile professional athletes: Reggie Lewis (basketball player), Darryl Kile (baseball pitcher), and Marc Vivien Foe (football player) all died of sudden cardiac death or sudden death due to a fatal heart rhythm called ventricular fibrillation.Sudden cardiac death is sudden and unexpected with death occurring within minutes after collapse. It is more common to older folks with serious heart ailments alt...

Automated Forex Trading - The Pros And Cons Of Letting A Computer Manage Your Investments
Many individuals that trade currency use one of the automated forex trading systems that are readily available today. The advances in technology in recent years have enabled trading of all sorts of commodities to break though into the digital era, thus making access much easier for the individual. Automated forex trading systems are available for currency trading now and have distinct advantages over other methods of trading.Any individual using ...

You May Think Twice Before Having Your Defibrillator Removed
When the defibrillator that you had implanted to maintain a healthy heart is recalled, there are many decisions that you may have to wrestle with as reports of injured defibrillator patients roll in. In October 2007, a large manufacturer of defibrillators and pacemakers, Medtronic, recalled several units after it was discovered that the leads used in the devices may become defective over time. The defect caused patients to experience painful shoc...

A heart disease risk factor is a habit a person follows that makes them more susceptible to this horrible disease. Its said that more than 58 million Americans suffer from some kind of heart disease, and it is the number one killer of American adults. Heart disease kills more women than the other five top killers combined. For this reason, its important to know what we can about this killer so that we may stop it from hurting any more people.

Examples of a heart disease risk factor include smoking, eating foods high in fat, and not getting enough exercise. Risk factors harm your heart, your overall health, and essentially, kill you slowly. A heart disease risk factor must be avoided if we hope to avoid this horrible disease.

Why Should You Know About Risk Factors?

Heart disease risk factors are important to study so that you can avoid the types of behaviors that bring on this disease. By adopting certain lifestyle changes, we can stay away from the heart disease risk factor that is harming you minute by minute, without you even knowing about more than likely.

Also, its important to note that a certain factor may be a heart disease risk factor and most people arent even aware of it. Not many know that there are certain factors that cant be helped. An example of this type of heart disease risk factor includes age; you cant help how old you are.

Similarly, you cant help what family you come from either. Thats right, heart disease can be genetic and could come from your father, your mother, or your grandmother. That means that heredity can also be a heart disease risk factor. These risk factors are important to understand so that we can track this disease and stop it with more scientific research. Research will lead to more medicines and procedures that will help in stopping this disease.

Just because there are risk factors that cant be helped doesnt mean we should just give up. Curb the risk factors that you can control such as the smoking, the over eating, and the lack of exercise, and lets help stop this disease from spreading.

Heart disease is a disease that can, for the most part, be prevented. Its important to study the heart disease risk factor that plagues you the most. What are you doing that could be hurting you? Try to limit the habit or cut it out completely, and your heart will thank you for it.

Milos Pesic is an expert in the field of Heart Diseases and runs a highly popular and comprehensive Heart Disease web site. For more articles and resources on Heart Disease related topics, Congenital Heart Disease, Coronary Heart Disease, Ischemic Heart Disease, Heart Disease symptoms and treatments and much more visit his site at:

=>http://heart-disease.need-to-know.net/

Are You at Risk for Heart Disease
Knowing your personal risk for heart disease is the first step in prevention. Your risk is greatly increased if you have diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol. There is also hard evidence that certain ethnic groups including African Americans, Mexican Americans, Native Americans, Native Hawaiians are at an increased risk for this disease. It is believed that this increase risked among these groups is due to the higher rates of diabet...

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Symptoms Heart Disease
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The Prevention of Ischemic Heart Disease
Ischemic heart disease occurs when there is a partial blockage of blood flow to the heart. When the heart does not get enough blood it has to work harder and it becomes starved for oxygen. If the blood flow is completely blocked then a myocardial infarction (heart attack) occurs.As we age we naturally have plaques build up in our arteries. This is called arteriosclerosis which is a hardening of the arteries. This can lead to blood clots that can ...

Cholesterol Levels And The Risk Of Having A Heart Attack
Cholesterol levels can be affected by a variety of things. Still, there are some things that you can do about this:Diet Your blood cholesterol levels go up when you eat food filled with saturated fat and cholesterol. Even though saturated fats are the main culprit when it comes to diet, cholesterol in foods also matters. You can help lower your cholesterol levels by reducing the amount of saturated fat and cholesterol in your diet.Weight A risk...

Angina or Angina pectoris translated from Latin means chest pain. Chest discomfort in angina is often brought on by heavy exercise or tension which increases the oxygen needs of the heart.

What are the causes?

By far the most common cause of angina is arthrosclerosis of the coronary arteries. Other rare causes are damage to the exit valve of the left ventricle and acute anemia or reduction in the oxygen carrying capacity of the blood.

Arthrosclerosis of the coronary arteries is the silting of arteries over a period of time. It starts in the intima or inner lining as small, flat yellow patches or streaks. These patches enlarge gradually, projecting into the arteries where they eventually cause serious interference with or even total obstruction of blood flow. Initially these streaks contain pure cholesterol, with time other substances appear as well.

When the silting up process is fairly advanced, the arteries cannot accommodate the increased blood flow required when you exercise or do any strenuous activity. The temporary shortage of oxygen rich blood causes your heart muscles to go into an uncomfortable or painful cramp. This is the pain of angina.

How does angina feel?

You may experience a tight feeling, oppression or pain in the centre of the chest behind the breastbone. This sometimes spreads into one or both arms, the neck or jaw, through to the back (rarely in other directions) The pain is constant or continuous while it lasts and is never sharp, stabbing or of only a few seconds duration. It may feel to you like indigestion. The pain generally occurs only on exertion such as walking. You will probably find that the pain occurs every time you walk a certain distance or at a certain \r speed. It is relieved by stooping or even by slowing down, and when you start walking again you may be able to walk a good deal further than before. This improved capacity to walk after stopping is very common and is called second wind angina. Some things may aggravate angina such as walking in cold, windy weather or after a heavy meal. Emotional upset or tension or excitement might bring pain in effect. Further damage to arteries can cause myocardial infraction or heart attack.

What your doctor would be looking for?

Once angina has been confirmed you will be fully examined before treatment to reveal the condition of the heart muscle and the valves whether there is evidence of trouble in arteries elsewhere in the body and whether important risk factors exist such as high blood pressure and obesity.

An electrocardiogram will reveal the presence of any heart muscle damage and an exercise or TMT will confirm the diagnosis of angina and knowing the severity of arthrosclerosis. Other factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes and reduced function of thyroid gland should be examined thoroughly. An x-ray of coronary arteries will help.

Treatment of Angina

1) The most crucial part of the treatment is risk factor control- regular exercise, return to a normal active life , weight control and stopping smoking often improve symptoms. Lowering cholesterol and high blood pressure also helps.

2) Drugs have to play a part in treatment either to relieve pain , increase exercise capacity or to treat risk factors such as high blood pressure or high cholesterol and arthrosclerosis

3) By pass Surgery:- Coronary artery surgery is aimed at by-passing the obstructions in the coronary arteries by using strips of patients own legs veins or by grafting branches of internal mammary artery. Surgery is not advisable unless all other forms of treatment have been tried as treatment and lifestyle changes are far more effective leaving surgery as the last option.

For treatment options, please visit http://www.medical-tourism-india.com

What Is Angina?
One of the symptoms of coronary artery disease is called angina which is a pain that comes from the heart. Its most common in people over the age of 50 but it can also occur in younger people as well. Men are more likely to have angina than women.It is caused by narrowing in the coronary arteries of the heart. This happens when plaque builds up in the coronary arteries causing them to become narrower and stiff which then reduces the blood flow to...

Do You Understand The Risks of Coronary Heart Disease?
How is coronary heart disease detected?Unfortunately, in one third of all cases the first sign of coronary heart disease is sudden, unexpected death. The victims are completely unaware of the blockages in their coronary arteries until it is too late.In the rest of the cases, coronary heart disease first appears as chest pain or even a heart attack. Chest pain due to coronary heart disease is usually brought on by physical exertion. Physical activ...

What is a Heart Attack?
In case angina pectoris is ignored, and the disease is allowed to progress, the blockage in coronary arteries/or in its branches may go on increasing. The end-result of such a severe blockage in coronary arteries/branches would be that the blood supply of a part of heart muscle (supplied by the respective branch of coronary artery) may suddenly stop completely leading to severe damage / injury / necrosis / death of the affected portion of the hea...

The First Warning Signs Of A Heart Attack
The first warning signs of a possible heart attack need not be chest pains. These warning signs usually vary for each individual. Some of the possible symptoms of a heart attack could include shortness of breath, weakness, dizziness or numbness in the limbs.A heart attack usually occurs suddenly and can occur any time. Even so, most patients suffering from heart attack usually will experience various warning symptoms in advance. A heart attack ca...

Find Out About The Heart Disease Symptom That Can Save You
The heart has the most significant function of pumping blood all over our bodies without which we cannot live, ensuring that ones heart is in good shape and functional should always be on the priority list.However, sometimes one heart disease or the other creeps on us and by being able to recognize a heart disease symptom will save ones life.Heart Attack Symptomsr r The heart disease symptom that is connected to heart attack is easier to read tha...

The first line of defense against rising cholesterol levels is a healthy diet. The National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III report has targeted lowering LDL cholesterol as one of the most important aspect of heart disease prevention. This report recommends that in order to lower the risk of coronary heart disease that a therapeutic lifestyle change (TLC) must be undertaken. The components of this therapeutic lifestyle change include a diet to lower cholesterol that includes the following.

1. Saturated Fat and Cholesterol Reducing saturated fat and cholesterol in the diet is the foundation of the TLC diet. The strongest nutritional influence on serum LDL cholesterol levels is saturated fats. There is also a dose response relationship between saturated fats and LDL cholesterol levels. For every 1% increase in calories from saturated fats as a percent of total energy, serum LDL cholesterol increases roughly 2%. On the other hand a 1% decrease in saturated fats will lower serum cholesterol by about 2%. Although a weight reduction of even a few pounds will reduce LDL levels, weight reduction achieved with a diet low in saturated fats and cholesterol will enhance and maintain LDL cholesterol reductions. Although dietary cholesterol does not have the equivalent impact of saturated fat on serum LDL cholesterol levels, high cholesterol intake will increase LDL cholesterol levels.

2. Monounsaturated Fat Substituting monounsaturated fat for saturated fats at an intake level of up to 20% of total energy intake is recommended with a cholesterol lowering diet. Monounsaturated fats lower LDL cholesterol levels relative to saturated fats without decreasing HDL cholesterol or triglyceride levels. Plant oils and nuts are the best sources of monounsaturated fats.

3. Polyunsaturated Fats When used instead of saturated fats, polyunsaturated fats such as linoleic acid reduce LDL cholesterol levels. Unfortunately they can also cause a decrease in HDL cholesterol when compared to the effects of monounsaturated fats. The recommended intake of polyunsaturated fats is about 10% of total energy intake. The best sources for this type of fat include liquid vegetable oils, semi-liquid margarine, and other margarines low in transfatty acids.

4. Total Fat Saturated fats and transfatty acids increase LDL cholesterol levels, while serum levels of LDL cholesterol do not appear to be affected by total fat intake. For that reason the report suggests it is not essential to limit total fat intake as long as saturated fats are decreased to goal levels.

5. Carbohydrates LDL cholesterol decreases when saturated fats are replaced with carbohydrates. But high consumption of carbohydrates, over 60% of total energy intakes, are shown to decrease HDL cholesterol and increase serum triglycerides. This response to carbohydrate intake can be decreased by increasing soluble fiber intake. In fact by increasing soluble fiber to 5 to 10 grams a day LDL cholesterol can be decreased about 5%.

6. Protein Although dietary protein generally has little effect of serum LDL cholesterol levels, substituting plant-based proteins for animal proteins appears to lower LDL cholesterol. This may be caused by the lack of cholesterol and lower saturated fat content of plant based protein foods. Of course not all animal proteins are high in saturated fat and cholesterol. Fat-free and low-fat dairy products, egg whites, fish, skinless poultry, and lean cuts of beef and pork are low in saturated fat and cholesterol.

Using diet to lower cholesterol is the first step for anyone who has tested for high LDL cholesterol levels. By lowering serum cholesterol the risk of coronary heart disease is lessened, along with all the other health benefits of eating a more healthy diet.

To learn more about a Diet to Lower Cholesterol please visit the website Lowering Cholesterol by clicking here.

Top Four Myths of a Low Cholesterol Low Fat Diet
So you just found out you have high cholesterol and have been told to start a low cholesterol low fat diet immediately. But what does this mean? Should you eliminate all high cholesterol foods or eliminate all fats? No and no. Read on to find out about the most common myths of a low cholesterol low fat diet.Myth #1 of a low cholesterol low fat dietFocus on cholesterol contentMost people think that in order to lower cholesterol, they need to l...

How To Naturally Lower Cholesterol
If you have high cholesterol and are looking for a way to reduce your cholesterol levels, then let me show you how to naturally lower cholesterol. My wife actually did this natural method and reduced her cholesterol from 226 down to 183 in about 3 months. It was truly amazing, and when you compare it to using medicine to do this, it is a fairly simple decision on which method to use.My wife naturally has high cholesterol. It seems to run in her f...

Lower Your Cholesterol Diet Plan
Having a good lower your cholesterol diet plan is important if you have high cholesterol and you would like to lower it.But first, what are the benefits of lowering your cholesterol level?You will greatly reduce your risk of having a heart attack or stroke. With the reduction of cholesterol in your body, the formation of new plaque in your arteries will be reduced. This is important because if the plaque buildup in your arteries increases, the ar...

Eat Right to Lower Your Cholesterol
Reason for blood tests is to determine the levels of LDL (Low Density Lipoprotein), HDL (High Density Lipoprotein), triglyceride and total cholesterol. By doing so, the doctor will be able to determine if the patient have health problems. If one or more of the mentioned are not on its normal level, the doctor will give the patient some advice on how to set the right level. A change of diet is the most common recommendation because a persons food ...

5 Tips on How To Lower Cholesterol Naturally
We all need a certain amount of cholesterol for good health as it plays an important role in all cell membrane structure. Luckily our bodies are able to manufacture the cholesterol we need from healthy fats in the diet.High cholesterol however can cause heart disease, increasing the risk of heart attack or stroke.Here are some tips on how to lower blood cholesterol levels naturally:1. Decrease intake of animal products in your diet.The only sourc...

There is something to the adage \”An apple a day keeps the doctor away\”. How more perfect can a food get? It comes in a convenient\r serving size, with very little calories and even has its own wrapper. Possibly one of the reasons the teachers of yesteryear stayed so healthy when school children all brought apples to adorn the desk.

Apples have been cited for reducing the risk of heart disease. They also have proved in lab tests to be beneficial in stopping the growth of cancer cells. Most of the apples healing power resides in the apples skin, a compound called quercetin, a powerful antioxidant that can prevent oxygen molecules from damaging individual cells. Over time this antioxidant helps to prevent changes in cells that can lead to cancer.

Apples are probably best known for their sources of two fibers. They contain soluble and insoluble fiber as well as pectin. Insoluble fiber is mostly found in the skin of the apple it was referred to as roughage and has been reputed to relieve constipation. Comfort aside, studies indicate that keeping your digestive tract running smoothly can help prevent diverticulosis, a condition that forms pouches in the large intestine and also can contribute to colon cancer. Because insoluble fiber is filling, apples can help keep your weight in check, without feeling hungry.

The soluble fiber that apples contain passes through the digestive tract more slowly and forms a gel like material that helps lower cholesterol and in turn the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Pectin is a type of soluble fiber that is used to to thicken jams and jellies. It also generates a gel that slows down digestion which slows the rise of blood sugar- and is good for anyone suffering with diabetes. Pectin is hailed to reduce the amount of cholesterol produced in the liver, important defenses that protect you by eating this simple fruit. A 5 ounce apple has roughly 3 grams of fiber and 0.7 grams of pectin.

According to Marie Ellen Camire, Ph.D. an associate professor and chair of the Department of food science and human nutrition at the University of Maine in Orono, \” Some varieties of apples, like Granny Smith are bred to be low in certain protective compounds that make apples brown when you peel them.\” The most health benefits are gained by eating these varieties.

In the U.S. alone there are about 2500 kinds of apples. Whether for cooking or baking or just a grab and go snack, they are great protection against disease.

Gerene Schendel believes that food has the ability to keep us healthy and treat disease. She also believes in following your bliss. http://www.mytastefultreats.com

Lower Your Cholesterol Diet Plan
Having a good lower your cholesterol diet plan is important if you have high cholesterol and you would like to lower it.But first, what are the benefits of lowering your cholesterol level?You will greatly reduce your risk of having a heart attack or stroke. With the reduction of cholesterol in your body, the formation of new plaque in your arteries will be reduced. This is important because if the plaque buildup in your arteries increases, the ar...

Cholesterol Regulation - Natural and Safe Approach
Cholesterol is a fatty substance that is produced by the liver and is also found in food. It serves a number of purposes that are vital for the body, such as giving cell walls their rigidity and strength. However, when there is too much in the body it can lead to plaque buildup on artery walls, atherosclerosis, and heart disease among other things.Although high cholesterol can lead to certain diseases, it is not considered a disease itself. As is...

Ceramic Kitchen Canisters
If you prefer classic and elegant styles, then most probably the design of your kitchen is full of elegance and classic charm. Ceramic kitchen canisters are perfect add-ons if you want to spice up the elegant atmosphere of your kitchen.White CanistersIn the past, most ceramics are related to the color white. However, as years passed and more and more designs have popped out, canisters are now available in different kinds of colors and designs. ...

Foods That Naturally Reduce Cholesterol
What is Cholesterol?Cholesterol is a wax-like substance that is present in the cell membranes of body tissues and is carried in the blood plasma. It is a sterol; a combination of alcohol and steroid and is also called atherosclerotic plaque. The body requires cholesterol in order to form and sustain cell membranes, help with the production of bile and aid the metabolism of fat soluble vitamins.Over time, cholesterol builds up on the artery wall...

Fight High Cholesterol With Vitamins And Over The Counter Products
More that a million Americans die of heart disease each year. One of the major causes of this heart disease the high cholesterol levels in the blood. Cholesterol plays a central role in many biochemical processes, but is best known for the association of cardiovascular disease with high levels of cholesterol in the blood.Konrad Bloch and Feodor Lynen shared the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1964 for their discoveries concerning the m...

Are you at risk for a heart attack? Studies show that 50% of people who have heart attacks do not have high cholesterol. Studies also show that emotional stresses can increase heart attack risk. So here are 10 stress-busting tips that, along with a heart-healthy diet and proper exercise, can help you live a longer, happier life.

1) Fight procrastination: Many of us have the sense that were under constant pressure, even overwhelmed, due to lack of sufficient time to complete everyday tasks. And thats usually because we dont have enough time to get ourselves organized at home, or at work it causes more stress - and the prospect of doing so seems overwhelming on its own.

2) Drink lots of water: Those recommended 8-10 glasses of water a day dont just keep weight off! Your body is able to flush out toxins more often when it is properly hydrated and toxins add stress to your body.

3) Take a breather (Part One): Whenever stress causes your chest to tighten and your heart to pound, a vicious cycle results. Your breathing becomes shallower and result is less oxygen in your system. If you are feeling stressed, stop and take three deep, slow breathsin through the nose and out through the mouth. The influx of oxygen will have an immediate calming effect on your system.

4) Take a breather (Part Two): Once your heart slows down, try this relaxing breathing pattern, courtesy of the Univ. of Ill. McKinley Healthy Center. Slow down your breathing to a 10 second cycle six breaths a minute. Inhale for 5 seconds, and then exhale for five seconds. Do this for 2 5 minutes or until your pace slows down. You will feel the stress slipping away.

5) Take a breather (Part Three) Set aside some time at the end of a stressful day to decompress. Take a bath, do some light reading, play music whatever makes you feel more relaxed. Youll banish those stress chemicals and feel more energized, yet calm, the next morning.\r 6) Get some fresh air: Even if you live in the city, 10 minutes worth of strolling outside at least once a day does wonders for relieving stress.

7) Dont bottle it up: A friend (or better yet, friends) with a sympathetic ear can be just what you need when you need to unload a little stress. If you can afford it, a professional ear can be the best option of all. You dont have to be independently wealthy to see a professional counselor. Many of them charge reasonable fees on a sliding scale and can be referred by your local mental health canter.

Catch all your Zs: 7-8 hours of sleep per night no more or less- helps lower stress levels, yet it seems that sleep is one of the first things to go when you are overscheduled. Make the effort to get your 7 8 hours and your heart will thank you for it.

9) Watch your intake of alcohol, caffeine, tobacco and sugar: These quick-fix substances give us an artificial (and brief) lift, and then they send us crashing down. As a result, they increase stress symptoms.

10) Try yoga: It is not just a new yuppie trend. Even one yoga class can decrease levels of the stress hormone cortisol, according to research from Thomas Jefferson Univ. in Philadelphia.

Deborah Mumm, of Grayslake, IL, has been an Indoor Environmental Consultant since 1996. She has a FREE monthly Healthy Tips Newsletter that offers natural solutions for allergies. You can subscribe to this at http://www.healthy-environments.com She is also a parent to 5 children, 2 of which were adopted from Russia. Her adoption site can be found at http://www.everythingforadoption.com

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In our quest to find out what causes heart disease we need to identify symptoms heart disease which unfortunately are often overlooked until the patient suffers a heart attack. Symptoms heart disease can be many factors including dizziness, shortage of breath, tight chest pains and even sudden weight gain.The problem with symptoms of heart disease is that many of the symptoms are often present in many other medical conditions and can be linked to...

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Heart Disease in Women: The Number One Killer
To understand the seriousness of heart disease in women, we need to first look at the facts. According to recent studies, its found that more than 8 million American women are currently living with some form of heart disease. In fact, heart disease is the leading cause of death of American women and more women than men die of heart disease each year.Heart disease in women can be diagnosed and treated but the key to staying healthy is prevention...

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A higher level of understanding when it comes to things of the heart would be most rewarding if we focused our attentions on creating and maintaining healthy conditions. Exercise will condition and progressively build the body. A good healthy diet builds a shield against many illnesses. People who watch what they eat,control their weight,exercise on a regular basis tend to have less problems with the heart.When you eat right,avoid cigarettes,drin...

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For most people who have it congestive heart disease is preventable or even reversible if caught early enough. Its causes and effects are directly related to lifestyle choices and in some cases to other underlying diseases that can cause it symptoms. Smoking, obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, physical inactivity, metabolic syndrome, and diet are all risk factors for this most deadly of diseases.These risk factors can cause atherosclerosis, ...