dance cardio workout

Pheochromocytoma is an important cause of secondary Hypertension. We have adnenal gland located at upper portion of each kidney. It is divided into adrenal cortex and adrenal medulla. Pheochromocytoma is a tumor of Adrenal Medulla. Normal function of adrenal medulla is to produce epinephrine or adrenaline. Which is responsible for controlling blood pressure and to help cope with stressful situations.
So majority of symptoms of pheochromocytoma are due to excess secretion of adrenaline from adrenal medulla. Most patients of pheochromocytoma have recurrent episodes of headache
sweating and a feeling of high anxiety. The following symptoms are listed from the most common to the least common
Headaches (severe)
sweating Episodes (generalized)
heart palpitations (tachycardia and palpitations)
Anxiety
nervousness (feelings of impending death)
tremors
Pain in the lower chest or upper abdomen
Nausea (with or without nausea)
Weight loss
Heat intolerance

These symptoms may come by situations which causes pressure over tumor like physical activity
exercise
defecation
anesthesia
or change in body position.

Who should be examined for Pheochromocytoma
Those who have uncontrolled hypertension
Those who have age between 40 and 60
Those who are already taking 4 antihypertensive drugs but blood pressure is not controllable.
Those who have episodes of above symptoms

Cause of pheochromocytoma is unknown
however some forms of this tumor runs in families like

a-Multiple endocrine neoplasia
type II (MEN-II). In addition to a pheochromocytoma
people with MEN-II also have thyroid cancer. Other forms of MEN-II include pheochromocytoma with thyroid cancer and hyperparathyroidism (MEN-IIA)
and pheochromocytoma with thyroid cancer and tumors of nerves in the eyes lips
mouth and digestive tract (MEN-IIB).
b-Neurofibromatosis 1 (NF1). Pheochromocytomas can occur in a small percentage of people with NF1
a syndrome that includes multiple tumors in the skin (neurofibromas)
pigmented skin spots
tumors of the optic nerve of the eye
and bone diseases.
c-Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease. People with this rare multi system disorder are at high risk of pheochromocytoma brain eye and kidney tumors.

Most pheochromocytomas are benign tumors and they don't spread to other parts of body however some forms do show metastasis (spread) to other parts of body like lungs
bones and brains. Usually only one gland is involved however this tumor can be present in both adrenal glands.

Investigations:
Blood and Urine tests: We perform blood and urine tests to diagnose pheochromocytoma. 24 hr urine collection is tested for epinephrine
norepinephrine and dopamine. This test is called VMA. Idea is just to check level of epinephrine and its metabolites in urine. If these are detected in urine in excess quantity
then tumor is diagnosed.

Abdominal scan.
Now you have diagnosed tumor by blood and urine tests
after that to find out location of tumor
do Ultrasound
CT scan of abdomen.

Complications:
If high blood pressure remained uncontrolled it may lead to complications of heart failure
infarction
cerebrovascular accident
vision damage and kidney failure.

Treatment:
First treatment is to control high blood pressure with medication like Alpha Blockers and Beta Blockers. When epinephrine is secreted by this tumor it acts on alpha and beta receptors present on heart and blood vessels
result is vasoconstriction and increase heart rate. Now if if we take drugs like alpha blocker and beta blocker
epinephrine will be blocked by these drugs to act on these receptors so result is vasodilation and slow heart rate. Common Alpha blockers are Prazosin (Minipress)
Terazosin (Hytrin) Phenoxybenzamine( Dibenzaline). Common Beta Blockers are Atenolol(Tenormin)
Carvedilol(Carveda)
Metoprolol(Mepressor)
Inderal.

Treatment of choice for this tumor is Surgery. After removal of this gland by surgery
blood pressure becomes normal with a day. There are two types of surgeries. General and Laproscopic surgery. However Surgery is not an option for those tumors which show metastasis to other parts of body. For that we use chemotherapy and radiations.

Whenever you have high blood pressure with any symptom
don't ignore it
you may be the patient of Pheochromocytoma. Always contact your Doctor.

If you want to know more about Pheochromocytoma
visit our site highbloodpressuremed.com

You are now home from the hospital
and while the healing process is well underway
or you would not have been discharged
there are miles to go. There seem to be so many instructions to remember. You simply will not be up to much in the first few weeks
and in some cases
for several more. I won’t understate this. Yes
an upbeat approach by the hospital medical staff may have sent you waltzing home and it’s thrilling to be leaving the hospital
where you haven’t been permitted to sleep through the night. Yet you are returning home greatly fatigued
with a medications schedule to manage
possibly a tank of oxygen
and perhaps recurrent irregular heartbeats or other complications that remain unresolved. Now is the time to dedicate yourself to the hard work of recovery. Alternating rest and exercise
and above all patience with the physical and emotional trials ahead
is your assignment for the next several weeks.

You and your caregiver will mostly be on your own unless your particular situation requires a treatment plan that includes post-op visits from a home health care nurse. Even if that’s the case
now is the time to review any guidelines your hospital medical team has given you about what to be aware of.

If you have purchased the paperback or downloaded the e-book version of The Open Heart Companion: Preparation and Guidance for Open-Heart Surgery Recovery
from my website http://www.openheartcoach.com
it’s time to reread Chapter 5
“The Challenges You May Face.” This chapter provides detailed information not only on challenges that may arise in your recovery
but it also supplies solutions as well. For example
on the subject of feeling isolated: “This is the time to find other open-heart surgery survivors and their caregivers to talk to. Swap stories
share information
hear what other families have gone through. Just knowing that you are not alone as you go through your rehabilitation can lift the veil of isolation. There can be a tendency to hold one’s surgery and recovery experiences too privately
but not reaching out to others will only deprive you of receiving compassionate support. If you are feeling isolated
do yourself a favor: reach out to friends and family
and look for a heart surgery support group locally or online.” However
whenever in doubt about what you may be experiencing specifically
contact your designated medical liaison for professional diagnosis or medical attention. No question or concern is too trivial.

For most of us
there is a difficult recovery challenge from the time we leave the hospital until we are healed and strong enough to enroll in a local rehab program. That’s one of the reasons for my book
to bridge this gap as so little medical attention is focused on the recuperation period that lasts anywhere from four to eight weeks. We thought getting through surgery was the biggest hurdle. However
the hurdle is greater when we are home on our own with not much progress to report fast enough -- and without all those experts in the hospital to lean on.

Every recovery is different. If you’ve been told to expect improvement “two days forward
one day back
” you might be disappointed to experience instead only one good day (a period of energetic spunk) followed by two
three
or even four days of just plain feeling lousy. Even to meet the assignment of increasing your walking time from five minutes to ten minutes a day may feel like an insurmountable task at first. You may also be swinging in and out of temporary depression. (In my case
I wished the discharge nursing staff had emphasized the psychological challenges of recovery
not just the physical stresses.) Or
you may feel “off
” and think you might be coming down with a virus. That might be the case
but feeling off can be due to other things as well: you may have become anemic (as I did); you may be having an allergic reaction; sleep deprivation may have caught up with you—there are many possibilities. Know that everyone goes through discouragement
yet those who are informed to expect ups and downs will fare far better.

Recovery after surgery takes time. There’s often a feeling of “being all alone.” Because I
and dozens of patients and caregivers who were interviewed for The Open Heart Companion
have gone through open-heart surgery recovery ourselves
I offer the help you need via a free monthly phone support group
a newsletter specifically on recovery
a highly informational paperback (also available as an e-book)
and general practical tips. Stop by my site at http://www.openheartcoach.com to see how we can help you recover faster.

Heart disease is the leading killer of Americans. According to the American Heart Association
more than 13 million Americans are affected and
when diagnosing heart disease
using the best medical imaging technology available is crucial.

Until recently
diagnosing heart disease was difficult without a costly and invasive surgical procedure
especially for patients with little or no history of a heart condition.

But now
new medical imaging technology has vastly improved the area of computed tomography or CT scanning
which renders 3-D images of internal parts of the body
including the heart
brain and other organs
to make noninvasive diagnoses of heart disease and even stroke faster and more accurate.

As with most medical imaging procedures
image quality is key. If the scanned image does not clearly represent all the minute details
the diagnosis may not be as accurate. And today's latest CT technology allows doctors to not only see things they've never seen before
meaning patients are getting the most accurate diagnosis possible
but also conduct faster exams on critically ill patients who might find it difficult to remain still for long periods of time.

For instance
the new Toshiba Aquilion 32 CFX multislice CT system is currently the industry's finest resolution scanner available for cardiovascular imaging
producing 32 slices of detailed images as thin as .5 millimeters.

Using this new equipment
a detailed three-dimensional image is produced to allow doctors to see the heart from virtually any angle
which results in greater confidence in diagnosing heart diseases and abnormalities.

Inevitably
better diagnosis leads to better treatment. As we become more aware of the dangers of heart disease
we should also be aware of the medical technology available to our doctors. If you have the option of seeing a doctor with access to the latest medical imaging technology versus another doctor with access to dated technology
which one would you prefer?

You can be a better-informed patient. Ask your doctor about the quality of the imaging equipment on which you will be scanned.

Today
high blood pressure treatment emphasizes lifestyle as much as medicine. Approaches to lowering blood pressure may also involve using alternative medicines to supplement traditional medication.

In other words
sole reliance on drugs is now being replaced by more comprehensive methods of disease management.

One of the centerpieces of this approach is replacing a sedentary lifestyle with a more active one. Physical activity is very helpful in reducing hypertension.

Increasing levels of physical fitness has many benefits including bringing blood pressure closer to normal levels. Of course
taking up an exercise regimen should be done under medical supervision
particularly if the patient has been leading a sedentary lifestyle.

Exercise also cuts down on excess weight
which is another factor that pushes up blood pressure above normal levels. There is a strong correlation between obesity and hypertension and the latter can often be controlled by taking care of the former.

Stress is a big factor in most people's lives these days. And stress can contribute significantly to hypertension. Therefore contemporary treatment for hypertension includes making patients aware of the factors that contribute to stress levels.

They are also taught to manage these stress factors better. That includes managing the stress-causing situations better as well as managing the patients' internal reactions to the stress. The latter can include
among other things
yoga
meditation and relaxation exercises.

Many stressors cannot be eliminated
but may be successfully reduced. Both work and home related stress needs to be managed to help control high blood pressure.

A healthy diet is
of course
essential for hypertensive patients. They are advised to avoid excessive intake of dairy products and salt. Blood pressure can be controlled much more easily when diet is managed well.

Alcohol consumption needs to be moderated or eliminated. Now
there is some evidence that alcohol in small quantities can actually be beneficial to the body. However
continued excess consumption of alcohol puts considerable strain on many organs of the body including the heart. Part of the problem arises from the sheer bulk of alcohol
particularly if beer is consumed.

Foods like garlic and onions as well as some herbs have been found to contribute to lower blood pressure. Herbs that contain an amino acid called L-arginine are said to be useful for this purpose. Utilizing alternate medicine should be done only under adequate supervision.

There are also newer drugs to control high blood pressure
including calcium channel blockers. Some of these drugs effectively counteract side effects caused by medication.

High blood pressure treatment has evolved into a well-rounded approach that relies on more than just medication to handle the condition.

One of the more common treatments for high blood pressure are ACE inhibitors. When your kidneys detect low blood pressure
they release an enzyme called renin
which stimulates the formation of a protein called angiotensin I. Angiotensin I is then converted by the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) in the lungs to a very potent chemical called angiotensin II. Angiotensin II is a powerful blood vessel constrictor that causes muscles surrounding the blood vessels to contract
resulting in narrowing of the blood vessels. This narrowing of the vessels increases pressure in the vessels and can result in high blood pressure .

The ACE Inhibitors block the action of the angiotensin-converting enzyme in the lungs so that angiotensin I is not converted into angiotensin II. This allows blood vessels to remain widened
which results in lowering of the blood pressure. ARBs block the action of angiotensin II itself
so that vessels dilate
making it easier for the heart to pump blood
and results in lower blood pressure .

The natural bioactive casein hydrolysate tripeptides in Melaleuca's ProStolic™ act as a natural blocker to the formation of angiotensin II. Also included in this proprietary blend is pomegranate juice powder
which inhibits activity of the angiotensin-converting enzyme as well. A third ingredient is passionflower extract. Although researchers don't know exactly how passionflower works
they believe that flavonoid and alkaloid compounds in the plant regulate the neurotransmitters in your nervous system that reduce anxiety. One of these flavonoids in particular
chrysin
helps to calm your central nervous system and lower your blood pressure.

Combined with the proprietary blend of tripeptides
pomegranate juice powder and passion flower extract
ProStolic™ also contains potassium and calcium to provide a well-rounded natural remedy to help promote healthy blood flow and naturally maintain healthy blood pressure
but without the side effects so common with medications.

Tripeptides are formed when milk casein is broken down into smaller pieces. Several different peptides have been studied
but a significant amount of research has determined that the tripeptides Isoleucine-Proline-Proline (IPP) and Valine-Proline-Proline (VPP) have the most supportive evidence for their efficacy
safety and bioavailability The natural bioactive hydrolyzed casein (a combination of tripeptides IPP and VPP) is an active ingredient included in the proprietary blend in Melaleuca's ProStolic™. These tripeptides are derived from nonfat milk casein
and have been clinically proven to help maintain healthy blood pressure. Most studies show that blood pressure is lower after 2 weeks of daily consumption of IPP and VPP
and reach a stable level after 4-6 weeks.

Like the mechanism of action of the commonly prescribed ACE Inhibitors
the natural action of tripeptides block the formation of Angiotensin II
which normally causes the blood vessels to narrow. But that's where the similarity ends. Studies show that IPP and VPP tripeptides accomplish the blockage of Angiotensin II without the side effects so common in ACE and ARB medications. In 2001
an 8-week placebo-controlled
double-blind study was conducted on 30 people with mild or moderate hypertension. Results of the study showed a significant decrease in blood pressure of IPP and VPP test subjects
but no change was seen in the placebo group. In addition
no adverse reactions such as dry cough
digestive tract symptoms or abnormal changes were observed.

Over 20 human clinical trials have been conducted with the IPP and VPP peptides over the past 10 years and more than 10 double-blind clinical studies have been conducted on the particular formulation of tripeptides used in Melaleuca's proprietary blend. A 1996 placebo-controlled study on the blood pressure of 30 elderly hypertensive patients
most of whom were taking antihypertensive medication
showed a significant decrease in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure after 4 and 8 weeks
but no significant changes were observed in the placebo group.

A British Journal of Nutrition article reported a single blinded
placebo controlled study of 131 people with high-normal blood pressure or mild hypertension to determine the efficacy of hydrolyzed casein containing IPP and VPP in reducing blood pressure. The authors concluded that these peptides could assist in the prevention of hypertension in people with blood pressure that is above normal.

Melaleuca's Prostolic also contains other natural hypertension treatments including pomegranate juice
passion flower
potassium and calcium. All the benefits of these natural ingredients will be discussed in Natural Therapy for Maintaining Healthy Blood Pressure Part 3.

Mitral Valve allows blood to flow in one direction from the atrium (upper chamber) to the ventricle (lower chamber). It is one of the four valves separating different chambers of the heart. Mitral valve causes problem if it doesn’t open and close as per its functionality.

It causes blood to leak backwards into the upper chamber of the heart
leading to a 'heart murmur'. This is called as Mitral Valve Prolapse. The functioning of your heart is normal at this point of time. This does not worsen over a period of time
but is one of the main reasons for cardiac problems.

Mitral valve prolapse is very common among women although men are targeted too. It can strike in early adulthood. It is considered to be a hereditary problem. Mitral Valve Prolapse syndrome is also called as dysautonomia.

One of the main reasons which cause an increase in mitral valve prolapse syndrome is stress. The cause of stress can be due to childbirth
drastic events
and life turning experiences and day to day stress in life. Nearly 60% of the patients with MVP do not show symptoms. The other 40% does show some sign
which you should be aware of.

Some Signs and Symptoms of Mitral Valve Prolapse Syndrome

-Irregular Heartbeat
-Fatigue
-Chest Pain
-Racing Heart
-Dizziness
-Headaches
-Shortness of Breath
-Palpitation
-Anxiety

Causes of Mitral Valve Prolapse Syndrome

-Hereditary
-Stress
-Caffeine
-Stimulants
-Sweets
-Alcohol
-Smoking
-Menopause
-Skipping Meals
-Dehydration

Measures to be taken

Complications in this condition are very less. Attributable to the fact
that it does not affect much of your health. But people who suffer from this condition have to take extreme care. You may have to cut down on your physical activity
have a surgery and may be put you on medications - beta blockers.

You may have to follow a strict diet routine. Do not have any stimulants in your diet like coffee
tea
colas and even chocolates. Intake of sugar should come down. Have high-protein snack for afternoons. Drink as much water as you want. Fresh fruit juice is also good.

Regular exercise is good to maintain good health. Do not exert yourself. You should consult your doctor before doing any physical activity. Being aware about your condition would help you from any bacterial infection from any kind of surgery. Inform your doctors in advance about your condition
to avoid complication.

Home Care

Cinnamon helps in reducing high cholesterol and triglycerides. These can be used in your daily diet.

Flax seed oil contributes with good amounts of omega 3 fatty acids. This helps your cardiovascular system by reducing bad cholesterol including lowering blood pressure.

Hawthorn Berries helps with a clean and clear cardiovascular system. It is very good for your heart.

When the pressure of the blood that is exerted against the walls of the blood vessels after and during every heart beat is lower than normal
you have low blood pressure. This can result in insufficient blood flow to the important body organs like the heart and the brain. And this can lead to various low blood pressure symptoms.

You may detect low blood pressure symptoms during the use of various drugs such as those used for surgery
anti-anxiety agents
treatment for high blood pressure
diuretics
heart medicines
antidepressants
narcotics
alcohol
and other types of drugs. You may notice the low blood pressure symptoms also because of dehydration
heart failure
or heart attack
anaphylaxis
shock
diabetes (especially in advanced stage)
etc.

The most common low blood pressure symptoms are dizziness and lightheartedness. But there are other low blood pressure symptoms
and they are: a tendency to faint
black or maroon stools
chest pain
wheezing
irregular heart beat
consistent high fever
head ache
back pain
or stiff neck. If you happen to spot any of the low blood pressure symptoms
it is recommended that you consult a doctor as soon as possible.

Because of low blood pressure not enough blood reaches to all parts of the body and thus the cells do not receive the correct amount of oxygen and nutrients. Therefore
the waste products in the blood are not removed.

Don’t overlook the risk of low blood pressure if you cough with phlegm or if you are suffering from prolonged diarrhea
or if you are unable to eat or drink
or if you experience burning urinary symptoms or even if you are taking new medicines
because all these are low blood pressure symptoms.

When you start experiencing low blood pressure symptoms remember that the brain is the first organ to malfunction in such situations because it’s located at the top of the body and as a result you will experience dizziness or even fainting. You should be aware that if you don’t treat low blood pressure seriously it might lead to brain damage.

When you have low blood pressure
blood is not adequately supplied to the heart muscles and therefore breathlessness and chest tightness forms one of the common low blood pressure symptoms. When you have prolonged low blood pressure all organs start malfunctioning and this leads to shock.

You must take precautionary measures to avoid the situation from getting worse when you have low blood pressure and you must take your doctor’s advice. You must try to be more physically active and must try to lose weight. You should also maintain a healthy diet and limit your alcohol intake. All these will help you to keep your low blood pressure symptoms under control.

In spite of all the harmful aspects of low blood pressure
researchers say that it is better than high blood pressure because people experiencing low blood pressure symptoms tend to live longer than people suffering from high blood pressure symptoms do.

If you suspect you are suffering with low blood pressure you should consult your primary care physician straight away.

Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) is a condition in which the heart does not pump the blood through the body properly. When the blood is not properly pumped throughout the body
the oxygen that the blood carries is not appropriately dispersed to the muscles and other places that require oxygen. At this time in medical technology
Congestive Heart Failure is not curable. However there are medical treatments for the condition and adhering to these treatments helps patients with CHF to live as comfortably and as normally as possible. There are ways to cope with CHF.

First
when a patient is diagnosed with CHF
he or she needs to find a heart specialist that he or she goes to regularly. The patient also needs a regular practitioner to be able to keep on top of prescriptions and other things. Certain medications will be prescribed and one of the best things that a CHF patient can do is to take medications on time regularly and in the correct amounts. Another thing that will help your doctor determine the right combination of medications for you is to record when you take your medications and how you feel after taking your medications. If a certain medicine is causing side affects
your doctor might possibly be able to prescribe a substitute for that particular medication.

Another important aspect of keeping a relatively healthy and comfortable lifestyle is diet. Most patients are placed on a restrictive diet. Many are required to eat heart-healthy low-fat
low-sodium diet. In most cases
2
g of sodium is the daily limit. Excessive sodium in a diet may cause water retention
making it difficult to breathe. Since CHF already causes problems with water retention
it is helpful to retain as little water with diet as possible. Another thing that causes water retention is drinking excessive liquids. This is another thing the doctor may limit.

Besides medicine and adjusted diet
exercise is a way to cope with Congestive Heart Failure. Many people with CHF think that physical activity will harm them. However
though strenuous activity is not be appropriate
light to moderate activity can be healthy when done carefully.

Another way to cope and live comfortably with Congestive Heart Failure is to make sure you reduce stress as much as possible. Stress has a very negative effect on your heart and as a result
has a negative effect on the functions of your body. Any worry or burden that your family
friends
or caregivers can take from your shoulders is a positive action toward relieving your stress.

Obviously health risks such as smoking should be ceased. The use of nicotine uses up precious available oxygen in the system and therefore should be stopped to allow as much oxygen as possible to exist in the body.

One last thing to remember is to watch physical symptoms. Always record how you feel and make sure you tell your doctor of the slightest change in the way you feel. Listen to the signs your body is giving you in order to stay on top of your condition. Remember
CHF is a condition that can be coped with and treated
but you must alter your lifestyle to get the best quality out of your life.

When it comes to health and the dignostic instruments and tools that are required to service health
the factors of quality
precision and accuracy are of the highest priority.

For the medical doctor or nurse
nothing is more relevant and useful than the use of the stethoscope. Ask any doctor or health professional
and he would most likely be using a littman stethoscope.

It was in 1963 that the Harvard Medical School Professor David Littmann
a renowned cardiologist
invented a stethoscope which would revolutionize the world of medical auscultation.

Named after him
this invention continued to improve and develop
resulting in a highly acclaimed stethoscope named aptly
the 3M Littmann Cardiology Stethoscope.

This stethoscope is uniquely equipped to help the medical doctor pick up difficult-to-hear heart
lung and other body sounds admist distracting noises.

Using
the 3Mดs new Ambient Noise Reduction technology
it is possible to now reduce distracting room noise by an average of 75% (- 12 decibels) over the bell and diaphragm operating range. This is convincingly the most important feature of the littman stethoscope.

Apart from this
the new tunable diaphragm technology used in Littman Stethoscopes
allows the health practitioner to alter the pressure on the chest piece in order to change from bell mode to diaphragm mode and vice-versa. This makes it very versatile for adaptive use.

As a result
the technology has led to a whole new line of Littmann stethoscopes including the electronic Littmann Master Cardiology Stethoscope for infant
pediatric
and veterinary disciplines.

The Littmann stethoscopes are among the most popular stethoscopes for cardiologists where Littman stethoscopes like Littman cardiology III
Littmann cardiology STC
and Littmann Master classic II are used for both adult and pediatric auscultation.

One particular innovation is that the stethoscope carries a large side of the diaphragm and a small side diaphragm. The large side of the diaphragm is for adults and the small side is specially designed for sound with pediatric patients or extremely thin adult patients. This makes it a truly versatile tool for the doctor or nurse or cardiologist.

In addition to the standard adult size
Littman offers a one-inch pediatric bell and the infant bell.

As nurses form the bedrock of the health system and require stethoscopes
they are not left behind. There are active online nursing forum communities where nurses from around the world discuss and share information about the use of medical and nursing tools such as the nursing littmann stethoscope
and there is a nurses' kit including a littman stethoscope for members at special price.

The next time we see a doctor with a stethoscope
the chances are that he is using a littman stethoscope
and we can be grateful to the efforts of the brillant cardiologist Professor David Littmann.

You can protect yourself from stroke. That's just as well
considering every 45 seconds
someone in the U.S. has one. It kills about 160
0
people a year
mostly women; annually
about 40
0
more women than men have strokes and over 60 percent of all stroke deaths occur in women.

It's important to know the risk factors
some of which are preventable and controllable
and to recognize the symptoms so that many of the serious side effects can be avoided.

Blood Pressure: According to the American Heart Association
high blood pressure is the number one controllable risk factor for stroke. Family history and obesity factor in developing high blood pressure and women who take birth control pills or have reached menopause are at higher risk. A healthy lifestyle helps but for many
medications are required.

Cholesterol: High levels of "bad" low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol raise the risk of heart disease and stroke; high levels of "good" high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol lower it. Studies show women's cholesterol is higher than men's from age 45 on and that low levels of HDL cholesterol seem to be a stronger risk factor for women.

Diabetes: Diabetes is associated with high blood pressure and interferes with the ability to break down clots
increasing the risk of ischemic stroke. Lifestyle modifications and medications can help.

Diet and Exercise: Thirty minutes a day of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity can help prevent heart and blood vessel disease and control blood cholesterol
diabetes and obesity
as well as lower blood pressure. People with excess body fat-especially around the waist-are more likely to develop heart disease and stroke. Eat healthy foods low in saturated fat
cholesterol and sodium.

Smoking and Drinking: Smokers and those exposed to smoke daily are at a greater risk for stroke. Excessive alcohol intake can contribute to high blood pressure.

Stroke Symptoms: It's vital to recognize the symptoms of stroke and to seek help immediately. Time is of the essence when it comes to preventing debilitating and long-lasting effects. Symptoms include sudden numbness or weakness of the face
arm or leg
especially on one side of the body; sudden confusion
trouble speaking or understanding; sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes; sudden trouble walking
dizziness
loss of balance or coordination
or a sudden
severe headache with no known cause.

Lisa Chavis

We all know that keeping up with our heart health is an important thing to do. We all know that there are a wide variety of factors that cause heart problems
and we should know by now that there are some basic ways to help protect the health of our hearts. What many people do not realize
however
is that keys to their heart health may be different than keys to the heart health of others.

There are almost as many strategies and tips for having good heart health as there are people with hearts in the world. It is important that each person takes the time to learn about his or her own heart health and to learn about the possible methods of ensuring heart health for years to come.

One of the best ways for anyone to become familiar with the needs of their heart is to see a physician. Schedule a visit to see your doctor and plan to discuss your heart health with him or her. If you can think of any questions or concerns you have regarding your heart health
write them down and bring them along. It will also be very helpful if you have a record of your extended family's heart health history. It is likely that your physician will want to discuss more than just your own heart health. He or she will want to look for patterns or trends that have affected other people you're related to.

A physician can help you determine not only the current health of your heart
but also give you a better understanding of specific things you can do to help prevent heart attack or heart disease. For some people
the most significant factor in achieving and maintaining heart health is to change their diet. The foods we choose to put into our bodies affect our heart health in more ways than we know. Eating large amounts of sugar
carbohydrates or processed foods will eventually take their toll on our heart health. Your physician can set you up with a dietician who specializes in creating unique diet plans that promote heart health.

For other people
it is their exercise and physical fitness habits that a physician will address. Heart health can be significantly altered based upon a person's level of exercise. Your physician will be able to help you create a fitness plan that will be effective for you and your heart health needs.

It is never too late to take your heart health seriously. Make an appointment to see your physician today.

Before you start wasting hours upon hours on those boring treadmills
stationary bikes
and elliptical machines
let's examine if low-moderate intensity
long duration cardio exercise is really doing your body any good
or if it is mostly a waste of time. I hope you will concede upon finishing this article that there is a better way to get in great shape
and it doesn't have to involve endless hours on boring cardio machines.

It is common to hear fitness professionals and medical doctors prescribe low to moderate intensity aerobic training (cardio) to people who are trying to prevent heart disease or lose weight. Most often
the recommendations constitute something along the lines of "perform 30-60 minutes of steady pace cardio 3-5 times per week maintaining your heart rate at a moderate level". Before you just give in to this popular belief and become the "hamster on the wheel" doing endless hours of boring cardio
I'd like you to consider some recent scientific research that indicates that steady pace endurance cardio work may not be all it's cracked up to be.

First
realize that our bodies are designed to perform physical activity in bursts of exertion followed by recovery
or stop-and-go movement instead of steady state movement. Recent research is suggesting that physical variability is one of the most important aspects to consider in your training. This tendency can be seen throughout nature as all animals demonstrate stop-and-go motion instead of steady state motion. In fact
humans are the only creatures in nature that attempt to do "endurance" type physical activities.

Most competitive sports (with the exception of endurance running or cycling) are also based on stop-and-go movement or short bursts of exertion followed by recovery. To examine an example of the different effects of endurance or steady state training versus stop-and-go training
consider the physiques of marathoners versus sprinters. Most sprinters carry a physique that is very lean
muscular
and powerful looking
while the typical dedicated marathoner is more often emaciated and sickly looking. Now which would you rather resemble?

Another factor to keep in mind regarding the benefits of physical variability is the internal effect of various forms of exercise on our body. Scientists have known that excessive steady state endurance exercise (different for everyone
but sometimes defined as greater than 60 minutes per session most days of the week) increases free radical production in the body
can degenerate joints
reduces immune function
causes muscle wasting
and can cause a pro-inflammatory response in the body that can potentially lead to chronic diseases. On the other hand
highly variable cyclic training has been linked to increased anti-oxidant production in the body and an anti-inflammatory response
a more efficient nitric oxide response (which can encourage a healthy cardiovascular system)
and an increased metabolic rate response (which can assist with weight loss).

Furthermore
steady state endurance training only trains the heart at one specific heart rate range and doesn't train it to respond to various every day stressors. On the other hand
highly variable cyclic training teaches the heart to respond to and recover from a variety of demands making it less likely to fail when you need it. Think about it this way -- Exercise that trains your heart to rapidly increase and rapidly decrease will make your heart more capable of handling everyday stress. Stress can cause your blood pressure and heart rate to increase rapidly. Steady state jogging and other endurance training does not train your heart to be able to handle rapid changes in heart rate or blood pressure.

For example
lets say you jog trying to maintain the same pace for a good 45-minute run. As long as you didn't encounter any big hills along the way
you probably maintained approximately the same heart rate the entire time - let's say it was 135 beats/minute. Now
let's contrast that with a much more effective workout of doing 20 minutes of alternating all-out wind sprints with walking for a minute or two in between sprints to recover. With this more effective workout
you're rapidly changing your heart rate up and down on a much larger scale
forcing it to grow stronger to be able to handle varied demands. Your heart rate would probably alternate from 110-115 during the recovery walks all the way up to 160 bpm or more during the sprints. This doesn't mean that sprints are the only way to take advantage of this style of training. Any style of training that incorporates highly variable intensity will give you these improved results.

The important aspect of variable cyclic training that makes it superior over steady state cardio is the recovery period in between bursts of exertion. That recovery period is crucially important for the body to elicit a healthy response to an exercise stimulus. Another benefit of variable cyclic training is that it is much more interesting and has lower drop-out rates than long boring steady state cardio programs.

To summarize
some of the potential benefits of variable cyclic training compared to steady state endurance training are as follows: improved cardiovascular health
increased anti-oxidant protection
improved immune function
reduced risk for joint wear and tear
reduced muscle wasting
increased residual metabolic rate following exercise
and an increased capacity for the heart to handle life's every day stressors. There are many ways you can reap the benefits of stop-and-go or variable intensity physical training.

In addition to the previously mentioned wind sprints
most competitive sports such as football
basketball
racquetball
tennis
hockey
etc. are naturally comprised of highly variable stop-and-go motion. In addition
weight training naturally incorporates short bursts of exertion followed by recovery periods. High intensity interval training (varying between high and low intensity intervals on any piece of cardio equipment) is yet another training method that utilizes exertion and recovery periods. For example
an interval training session on the treadmill could look something like this:

Warm-up for 3-4 minutes at a fast walk or light jog;
Interval 1 - run at 8.0 mi/hr for 1 minute;
Interval 2 - walk at 4.0 mi/hr for 1.5 minutes;
Interval 3 - run at 10.0 mi/hr for 1 minute;
Interval 4 - walk at 4.0 mi/hr for 1.5 minutes;
Repeat those 4 intervals 4 times for a very intense 20-minute workout.

The take-away message from this article is to try to train your body at highly variable intensity rates for the majority of your workouts to get the most beneficial response in terms of heart health
fat loss
and a strong
lean body.

One of the most natural things that an individual does every day is to walk. For years
this single act has been linked to improving cardiovascular health. The reason is because
generally
walking is a safe movement that isn’t likely to cause injury. New studies have shown that walking is also a terrific way to improve your mood. The next time you are feeling a little blue
there may be a way to walk it off - literally.

A recent study paired individuals into groups
one of which spent 30 minutes on a treadmill and the other that participated in 30 minutes of rest. Each group’s progress was monitored throughout the treatment with a conclusion that both groups reported having less negative feelings at the end of the study
along with less stress and tension. The difference
however
was found when the group that spent 30 minutes walking also noted an overall improvement in well-being.

While the study further proves the theory that walking is good for mental health
as well as physical
it also lends credence to the theory that people who walk feel better overall. It also proves that an individual does not have to be outside in order to enjoy the benefits of walking. This simple exercise can be achieved with a treadmill or by simply walking in place while tuning into a favorite movie or television show.

Anyone who has been diagnosed as having clinical depression or other illnesses should not ignore
or disregard
his/her medical treatment program. Walking is simply a way to sometimes add further improvement to certain conditions. A simple 30 minute walk can benefit an individual’s mood
improve cardiovascular health and combat obesity all at the same time. In order to be effective
many people find that a daily walking schedule will help to keep them motivated and improve their spirits. In addition
a regular schedule will ensure that there is a time set aside for a walk. It’s very easy to think
“I’ll get around to it later
” but something more often than not will distract individuals away from exercise unless they have a certain schedule that is followed every day.

The information in this article is intended for informational purposes only. It should not be considered as
or used in place of
medical advice or professional recommendations for an exercise regimen. Every individual should consult his/her physician prior to beginning any program consisting of diet and/or exercise.

Every minute
someone in the United States has a stroke. Of the 700
0
victims each year
one-third die
and another third suffer permanent paralysis
loss of speech or memory lapses.

The best way to minimize the effects of a stroke is to know the warning signs so the stroke victim can get immediate treatment. Warning signs include sudden weakness or numbness
specifically on one side of the body; dizziness or loss of coordination; sudden headache or nausea; confusion or difficulty speaking; and vision loss.

Are you at risk for a stroke? Making healthy lifestyle changes
like lowering blood pressure and not smoking
can help reduce your risk of stroke. Other risk factors include:

* Age. Chances of having a stroke more than doubles each decade after age 55.

* Gender. More women die of strokes than men.

* Race and heredity. Chances of stroke are greater with a family history of stroke. African-Americans and Hispanics are at higher risk for stroke than Caucasians.

* Sickle cell anemia. Sickled red blood cells are less able to carry oxygen to the body's tissues and organs. They also can stick to the walls of the blood vessels
which can block arteries to the brain
causing a stroke.

Upon experiencing stroke symptoms
individuals should immediately seek medical attention. Patients attended to within hours of a stroke have a much higher chance of effectively being diagnosed and treated.

Hospitals and trauma centers are equipped with sophisticated medical imaging equipment
like Toshiba's Aquilion line of computed tomography scanners and the new Vantage magnetic resonance imaging system
which can help to quickly and accurately diagnose a stroke and assist in the proper treatment plan.

With this new equipment
physicians are able to locate and view the blockage in the arteries and then determine whether the treatment should be invasive or noninvasive. Typically
the location of the blockage dictates the course of treatment.

Blood pressure is the pressure exerted on the arteries. Blood pressure can differ from person to person. When your blood pressure is measured it is expressed in two numbers such as 120/80.The figure on the top denotes the pressure when the heart is pumping blood and its muscle is contracted. If your blood pressure is measured as 140/90
then you are a patient of hypertension or high blood pressure and therefore you need to reduce your blood pressure level. However
you should be aware that blood pressure rises with age and so as you grow older you should keep a check on your blood pressure and reduce blood pressure if it is above the normal blood pressure level.

Reducing blood pressure to normal levels helps reduce the risk of serious health problems like heart or kidney disorders. You can reduce blood pressure in several ways. Firstly
if you are overweight
you should aim to reduce your weight to within the guidelines for your height
body structure
and age. BMI
or Body Mass Index
is the best way to decide what is the ideal weight for you. This measure takes into account your height and weight.

However
don’t start a crash diet
as this can create further problems for your body. Reduce your weight slowly through eating a sensible diet and doing some form of exercise. Exercise will help you shift unwanted pounds and will also plays a positive role in reducing high blood pressure. Try to incorporate exercise into your daily regime
start easily with walking and build up ton include more aerobic exercises.

To further reduce blood pressure
reduce your intake of salty foods and avoid or cut down on alcohol. Including foods rich in calcium and potassium
as well as fish oils and magnesium can help reduce high blood pressure.

You have to maintain a healthy lifestyle in order to control your blood pressure. Some of the important and essential tips are following a healthy diet with low salt and sodium
maintaining healthy weight
and being active physically
limiting alcohol intake and putting a stop to smoking.

It is very important to keep your blood pressure level normal or reduce blood pressure if it rises because high blood pressure can cause severe health problems and damage the body. One of the important revelations in regards to reducing blood pressure is intake of sesame oil. Using sesame oil instead of other edible oil helps in reducing blood pressure or lowering blood pressure. Sesame oil contains approximately 43 percent polyunsaturated fatty acids
which has an impact on the blood pressure and contributes to reducing blood pressure

Although lifestyle changes helps in reducing blood pressure they are not usually enough. It is important to continue taking any medication prescribed by your doctor. Therefore
a healthy lifestyle along with medications can reduce blood pressure.

If you are suffering with High Blood Pressure
you should first consult your primary care physician before taking other steps.

Jogging is not only one of the best ways to burn fat and lose weight; it also makes your heart and lungs stronger. You can jog almost anywhere and just about any time you want
making it very convenient to do. This is why there are so many people who do it.

The trouble that most people have in the beginning is not knowing how to get started properly and they usually end up doing it wrong. This has prompted scores of people to quit doing it before it has had enough time to do them any good.

Let’s take a look at some things that may make it a little easier to get started on a jogging routine without running yourself into the ground.

The first and probably the most common mistake people make when starting a jogging routine is that they start out too fast. They go out and pace themselves much to fast and end up huffing and puffing out of breath after 5 or 10 minutes. This is an instant recipe for failure and many people quit within a few days.

Some people who are a little more resilient may keep going for a while thinking that if they just stay with it long enough
it will start to get easier. Usually what happens is it gets harder because even though they might be getting in better condition
they continue to push harder along the way so it seems that there is no progress.

When you are about to set out on a jogging routine
the best thing you can do is buy a heart rate monitor before you ever jog your first step. With one of these
you can set up a pace that is comfortable for you and you can keep within that level throughout your jog. This means that you will not have to “guess” about the pace and you will not have to feel like your lungs are on fire when you are finished.

The key here is to always jog between 50% and 70% of your maximal heart rate. This is easy to do with a heart rate monitor because you can keep a close check on your heart rate as you go. You can speed your pace up if it goes a little low
and slow down if it goes a little high. You can even slow to a walking pace if your heart rate goes too high
and resume a jogging pace once it goes below 50%.

The way for you to know where your heart rate should be to be between 50% and 70% is by using this formula:

Subtract your age from 220. This will be your maximal heart rate. Now
simply multiply this by .50 and .70 and that will give you your targeted heart zone. Below is an example of this formula.

Say you are age 40

220 minus 40 equals 180

180 times .50 equals 90

180 times .70 equals 126

By looking at this example
you can see that if you are 40 years old
you would keep your heart rate between 90 and 126 while doing your jog.

The fact is
you do not need to go fast to get benefits from jogging
it is how long you are moving that counts. It is more beneficial to cover a mile in say
15
minutes than to cover it in 7 minutes and then be exhausted.

If you stay within the limits of your heart rate capabilities
you will begin to add more time and miles to your jog as you go and jogging will become something you look forward to instead of something you dread doing.

Stop smoking. Not only will this help keep your blood pressure in line
you'll also diminish your risk of cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Smoking is main risk factor for atherosclerosis.Smoking injures blood vessel walls and speeds up the process of hardening of the arteries. So even though it does not cause high blood pressure
smoking is bad for anyone
especially those with high blood pressure. If you smoke
quit. If you don't smoke
don't start. Once you quit
your risk of having a heart attack is reduced after the first year. So you have a lot to gain by quitting.

Weight Reduction. Obese patients should lose weight.There's a direct link between being overweight and having high blood pressure. The more overweight you are
the greater the risk. Start by making small changes. Cut 200 to 300 calories from your diet each day — about the equivalent of saying "no" to two chocolate chip cookies.

Decrease salt intake. High salt intake is linked to high blood pressure. You should consume no more than 2
0
milligrams of sodium per day (about one teaspoon of salt). The average American consumes twice that
often through canned soups
frozen dinners
soy sauce
pickles
olives and processed cheeses
which are loaded with sodium. Read food labels and select reduced-sodium products. Try to select food with low salt.

Add more fruits
vegetables and low-fat dairy products to your plate. Eat one additional fruit or vegetable with every meal. Shrink the size of your daily meat intake to six ounces
and designate at least two dinners a week as meat-free. Fatty diets do not directly affect blood pressure. However
saturated fats and cholesterol in foods raise blood cholesterol
which increases the risk for heart disease. Foods high in fats also are high in calories
which must be reduced if you need to lose weight. Like smoking high cholestrol is also a major risk factor for atherosclerosis.

Limit alcohol consumption. Drink no more than one 12-ounce beer
one 5-ounce glass of wine or one swallow (1.5 ounces) of 80-proof whiskey if you’re a woman. Men can double these amounts. Anything more elevates blood pressure. You can reduce your blood pressure by 5-10 mmHg by just restricting Alcohol intake.

Exercise. First
get the green light from your physician. Then
slowly introduce aerobic exercise into your life
increasing the time and intensity at a pace that feels right
aiming for at least a 30-minute workout most days of the week. Young people should jog for 30 minutes three times per week and elderly patients should walk longer distances than usual.

Decrease Stress and Anxiety: Yes stress and anxiety also play role in high blood presure.If You want your blood pressure with in normal limits
try your self to get happy all times. Try extra curricular activities to make your mind stress free. Stress can make blood pressure go up for a while
and it has been thought to contribute to high blood pressure. But the long-term effects of stress are as yet unclear. Stress management techniques do not seem to prevent high blood pressure. However
such techniques may have other benefits
such as making you feel better or helping you to control over-eating.

Caffeine and Blood Pressure: Caffeine in coffee as well as in other drinks
such as tea and sodas
only raises blood pressure temporarily. So you should be able to continue to have drinks that contain caffeine
unless you are sensitive to it or have heart disease and your doctor tells you not to have any.

Eat adequate amounts of potassium-rich foods. Potassium
another mineral essential to good health
works in concert with sodium to regulate blood pressure. Studies have shown that people who consume more potassium have lower blood pressures than those who consume less. Rich sources of potassium include many fruits
such as cantaloupe
bananas
watermelon
oranges and orange juice
as well as potatoes
spinach
and zucchini. (Important note: if taking medication for high blood pressure
such as diuretics
consult a doctor before using salt substitutes that contain high amounts of potassium.

If you want to know more about Lowering High Blood Pressure naturally Visit our website.

There are many varieties and types of home blood pressure monitors (HBPM). Purchasing a blood pressure monitor is a great way to keep track of your blood pressure; however
choosing one can be confusing. The choice is personal and usually based on::Accuracy
Ease of use
Cost
Type of cuff
Memory and printing options. It is important to choose one you are comfortable with. This article will give you some tips and information to choose best BP monitor for you.

Home blood pressure monitors are basically of 3 types
Mercury column
aneroid and Digital Blood pressure monitors.

Mercury HBPMs:
Seen in Doctor's Office. They are the most accurate
yet most difficult to use. They use a stethoscope to detect the sounds in the arteries.

Aneroid HPBMs-
are the second most reliable. Aneroid monitors range in price from about $20 to $30. These also require using a stethoscope – which is included in this particular model. They are lightweight
portable
and affordable. Experts from the American Society of Hypertension recommend this type and say that these are the most inexpensive monitors and little can go wrong with them. Aneroid models can be difficult to use
and may require training by a doctor or health worker. Moreover
using these requires good hearing and eyesight and may not be the best choice for elderly or disabled persons. For these reasons
aneroid HBPMs are generally less popular than digital monitors.

Digital HBPMs:
These machines are less accurate
yet they are the easiest to use. They are a good option for people who are hard of hearing or have poor eyesight. If you use it properly
it is best choice for anyone.

Also it is important to consider cuff while purchasing HBPMs. Cuffs are of three types. Arm
wrist and finger cuffs. Arm cuffs are the most accurate. Finger and wrist cuffs are only recommended for those who cannot wear them on the arm. An improperly fitted arm cuff will give a false reading. This is the most frequent reason for incorrect blood pressure readings. To determine your cuff size
measure around the midpoint of your upper arm. If it is
Less than 31 cm (12.2 in)
buy a regular-size cuff
Between 31 and 40 cm (15.7 in)
buy a large-size cuff

Cuffs must be inflated to measure blood pressure- they include those that must be inflated manually
semi-automatic devices
or auto inflate devices.

Following are some tips when you purchase blood pressure monitor.

Display Size - Is a standard or an oversized LCD read-out needed. Try to take that with normal size.
Power Supply - Battery powered or AC adapter. If you travel the battery powered unit is your best choice.
Memory Features - Some models remember the last reading or multiple readings. There are also models that have a PC link. Better to choose that has a memory of atleast one month BP monitoring.
Printing options- Some monitors also have printing options to keep your record safe
Cuff Sizes - Large and small arm cuffs are available for some units. The size of the cuff on a blood pressure monitor may be the most important to get an accurate reading. So always use cuff which is not too small and not too large.
Cost - Cost may be the most important factor. Remember to do as much research as possible. The more expensive models may not always be as good as the cheaper ones
Accuracy - Readings on some wrist and finger units may not be as accurate as an arm unit depending on the individual.
Ease of Use - Depends on personal preference. People with certain disabilities may find one unit easier to use than another.
Length of Warranty - Warranties vary from one to three years. Check your unit regularly to make sure everything runs smoothly and accurately.

Dr Armughan
Author of this article
read more about choosing Home Blood Pressure monitor

A wine and cheese party can be a fun way to relax and make new friends. It's also a great way to lower your blood pressure.

Cheese and wine parties are great for large get-togethers. Make it lots of fun by having every guest bring a bottle of wine and an exotic cheese. It's a fantastic way to try new wines and cheeses ... and a perfect conversation starter.

A cheese and wine party is also the perfect way to relax ... both yourself and your arteries. Wine is good for lowering blood pressure ... and so is cheese.

A Glass of Red Wine

Red wine contains a protective antioxidant -- the flavonol called resveratrol. This powerful antioxidant protects your arteries against the damage done by free radicals ... and helps prevent hardening of your arteries.

The flavonoid in red wine also keeps your blood platelets from clumping together ... stopping this first step in the formation of deadly blood clots. A glass of red wine keeps your blood flowing smoothly through your arteries.

Even more important for your blood pressure ... recent studies have shown that drinking red wine improves the function of your artery linings. When the linings of your arteries are working well ... they freely dilate and bring down your blood pressure.

A glass or two of red wine a day ... this is the perfect amount to keep your heart and arteries young -- and keep your blood pressure normal. The darker the red wine ... the better. Dark red wines are higher in the protective resveratrol flavonoid. Forget about white wines ... they pale by comparison.

A Wedge of Cheese

Although cheese has lots of saturated fat and can raise cholesterol levels ... a little cheese is good for you. Like red wine
cheese is good for you if eaten in moderation.

During the cheese making process
while the milk is fermenting ... peptides are released from the milk proteins. These peptides help control your blood pressure ... by inhibiting the enzymes that convert angiotensin.

When the protein angiotensin is converted into angiotensin II. Angiotensin II is a peptide that constricts your arteries and increases the retention of water and sodium. This whole process really pumps up your blood pressure.

The other peptides -- found in fermented milk products like cheese -- put a stop to this reaction that ups the blood pressure. Eating a small wedge of cheese blocks the enzyme that creates angiotensin II
keeps your arteries relaxed
and keeps your blood pressure down.

Relax With a Glass of Shiraz and a Slice of Gruyere

After a hard day at the office ... when tension has got your blood pressure creeping up ... enjoy some nice cheeses with a glass of red wine. Relax ... relax your arteries ... bring your blood pressure back down to normal. Your heart will love you for it.

It is often said that a very important matter is "serious as a heart attack." This is rather ironic
since many Americans don't take heart attacks seriously enough-by knowing the warning signs or how to respond.

About 1.2 million Americans a year suffer a heart attack and more than 40 percent of them die. Nearly half of all heart attack deaths occur before the person reaches the hospital. Many lives could be saved if victims received clot-dissolving drugs and other artery-opening treatments within one hour of symptom onset.

Shockingly
most heart attack victims wait two or more hours after symptom onset before seeking medical help because they don't recognize the true warning signs-expecting a heart attack to be sudden and intense
like a so-called Hollywood Heart Attack
where a person clutches his or her chest and falls over as often seen in the movies and television-and don't realize the importance of calling 911.

Here's why every second counts: The heart is a muscular organ that works 24 hours a day
pumping blood with oxygen and other nutrients to the body. Blood is supplied to the heart through coronary arteries. A heart attack occurs when the supply of blood to an area of the heart muscle is blocked
usually by a clot in the coronary artery. The longer an artery is blocked and the blood supply is cut off
the more heart muscle will die and be replaced by scar tissue. Depending on the extent of heart muscle damage
a heart attack can be deadly or disabling.

Treatment

Treatments for a heart attack work to open the blocked artery to restore blood flow as quickly as possible to prevent or limit heart muscle damage and to lessen the chance of a repeat attack. To be most effective
heart attack treatments should be given as soon as possible-within one hour of symptom onset.

Medications include:

• Fibrinolytic
or "clot-dissolving
therapy: prevents or limits heart muscle damage by dissolving artery-blocking clots.

• Aspirin: acts to thin the blood and lessen the size of the blood clot during a heart attack.

• Nitrates (including nitroglycerin): relax blood vessels and stop chest pain.

• Beta blockers: reduce nerve impulses to the heart and blood vessels, making the heart beat more slowly and with less force.

Doctors may also perform a special procedure-either during a heart attack or afterwards-to improve blood flow to the heart muscle when coronary arteries are narrowed or blocked. These procedures include coronary angioplasty and coronary artery bypass surgery.

Act in Time to Heart Attack Signs, a public education campaign of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, is being revitalized this year through the sponsorship of PDL BioPharma, Inc. The goals of the campaign are to educate Americans about the warning signs of a heart attack and to urge them to call 911 immediately.

High blood pressure is a major health problem that affects many people - a lot of which don't even realize that they have it. Often
people are told that changes in their diet and exercise habits are enough to control blood pressure
without the use of medication. This is especially helpful for people with mild to moderate blood pressure levels.

Reducing your sodium intake is one of the most important factors in reducing your blood pressure level. Those affected with high blood pressure often claim that reducing their sodium intake reduces their blood pressure as well. It is important to learn which foods are high in sodium and limit your intake or avoid them all together.

Eating more fruits and vegetabls and even some grains increases your intake of important vitamins
minerals
and fiber. Studies suggest that people with a diet high in these foods and low in fats can reduce blood pressure in a small
but significant way.

Adding exercise to this change in diet can improve the blood pressure reduction. It helps to prevent and to control hypertension
and it is said that people who are active in exercise have lower death rates than their sedentary counterparts
even when they have the same blood pressure. An added bonus is that studies suggest that exercise not only reduces the risk for cardiovascular and other diseases
but can help prevent obesity
which is another high blood pressure risk factor.

Exercise is said to be the foundation for successful behavioral change programs. Exercise has been shown to make people feel positive about themselves and helps to reduce stress
a factor that not only raises blood pressure
but makes you feel less inclined to stick to the positive plans you've set in motion.

Eating well and exercising are the cornerstone to reducing your blood pressure level. However
they are not the only factors to a successful blood pressure reduction. Limiting your alcohol and caffeine intake can make an extreme difference. You should strive to drink these things only in moderation
or not at all. If you smoke
quitting can also make a profound difference. These are not things to be taken lightly. You may find that you cannot simply give these things up. In fact
in order to completely rid yourself of these behaviors can take months
even a year or more in some instances!

Reducing stress is another highly important factor in reducing your blood pressure. This is a lifelong task
but can prove to be one of the most important things you can do for your health. If you find that you have stress that seems out of control
taking a stress management workshop may be in your future.

Though it is said that diet and exercise can reduce the need for blood pressure medication
it is important to discuss any and all lifestyle changes with your doctor
who can instruct you in any reduction of your current medication dosages.

Hypertension is not only a condition for adults but it can also affect children
kids and even infants. When you see high blood pressure in children
the basic cause is either heart or Kidney. But it has been seen that children do have high blood pressure even though they have no heart or kidney problem but there's a family history of high blood pressure and an unhealthy lifestyle - a bad diet
excess weight
stress
and insufficient physical activity.

Though it is estimated that 4.5% of kids have high blood pressure. High blood pressure is very common among adults but it is also increasing in children these days
a trend that researchers link to the increase in childhood obesity.

The only way to know whether your kid has hypertension is to get it checked regularly. Doctors usually start measuring blood pressure during routine check-ups when a child is about 3 years old.If it remains untreated
high blood pressure can eventually lead to damage to the heart
brain
kidneys
and eyes. But if it's caught early
monitored
and treated
a child with high blood pressure can have an active
normal life.

Long-Term Complications of High Blood Pressure
When a kid has high blood pressure
the heart and arteries have a much heavier workload. Heart has to work against great force
The heart must pump harder and the arteries are under greater strain as they carry blood. If high blood pressure continues for a long time
the heart and arteries may no longer work as well as they should. Having high blood pressure puts a child at a higher risk for stroke TIA
CVA
heart attack
kidney failure
loss of vision
and atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries).

Though child may not show symptoms of high blood pressure
it still affects the body and puts the child at risk for those long-term health problems. In rare cases
severe hypertension can cause headaches
dizziness
nosebleeds
heart palpitations
visual changes and nausea. If your child has severe high blood pressure and experiences any of these symptoms
contact your doctor immediately.

When you go to a doctor with your children
It's not unusual for a first blood pressure reading to be high because the child is nervous
so the doctor will likely take three or four readings - and use an average to determine whether your child has high blood pressure or is at risk for developing hypertension.

Causes of High Blood Pressure
The causes of high blood pressure differ
depending on the age of the child. The younger the child
the more likely the high blood pressure is due to some other condition. High blood pressure among infants most commonly occurs in premature babies. Some newborns have high blood pressure because of problems with the heart
or vascular system
kidneys and lungs. Often
these problems are due to bronchopulmonary dysplasia
an immaturity of the lungs in premature babies
or problems of vessels like coarctation of the aorta
a narrowing of part of the major blood vessel that transports blood away from the heart to the body parts. Among school-age kids and teens
hypertension is usually linked to obesity. Over weight is very common among school age children these days. In some cases it's due to a problem with the kidneys
although other conditions - like abnormalities in the blood vessels and hormonal disorders - can also be responsible. Some medications (such as steroids or oral contraceptives) can lead to high blood pressure
as can over consumption of alcohol and illegal drugs.

Diagnosing Hypertension in Children
As high blood pressure usually doesn't produce any symptoms
diagnosing the condition in children can be difficult. The only reliable way to find out if your kid has high blood pressure is to have it regularly measured at routine check ups. So it's important not to miss those appointments
particularly if your child is obese or if there's a family history of hypertension. There is also a new test called ambulatory blood pressure monitoring in which a child wears a blood pressure cuff all day. Some consider it more accurate than blood pressure tests in the doctor's office because the child is less likely to be affected by any stress from visiting the doctor and blood pressure is monitored over a considerable period.

Treating High Blood Pressure
If an underlying illness is causing hypertension
treating that illness may be enough to get the blood pressure back to normal levels. For example treating coarctation of aorta can significantly improve blood pressure. If there's no underlying illness
your child's doctor will try to control Blood pressure with natural measures and he may recommend weight loss
increased intake of fruits and vegetables
decreased salt intake
increased exercise
and even relaxation techniques. Kids with hypertension should also quit or never start smoking
which can worsen the long-term associated heart problems as smoking is one of major risk factor for heart attack. Most doctors prefer not to prescribe medication for children with mild hypertension. However
in cases in which lifestyle changes do not improve the condition
then doctor may give medication .

Doing Exercise and participation in organized sports is encouraged for all children whose hypertension is not severe or is well-controlled. In fact
staying fit is the key to both weight and blood pressure control. If your kid is overweight
an ongoing weight-loss program monitored by your child's doctor and a minimum of 30 minutes of aerobic exercise every day may play very important role in controlling blood pressure. Kids who have severe hypertension should not
however
participate in weight- and power-lifting
bodybuilding
or strength training until their blood pressure is under control and a doctor OKs it.

Remember
earlier you get high blood pressure
earlier you will face its complications. So try to control your blood pressure with in normal limits to stay healthy and enjoy normal life.

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A lonely heart could just be one of the important factors that causes high blood pressure. In fact
a recent study shows loneliness can be as bad for your heart as being over weight or inactive. Could spending time with friends be the answer to lowering your blood pressure?

How Is Blood Pressure Affected?

When the University of Chicago studied a group of 229 men and women between the ages of 50 and 68 ... they found something interesting. After eliminating all other factors
they found that those who lacked comradeship were more likely to have high blood pressure.

The blood pressure of the loneliest people in the study was 10 to 30 mm Hg higher than those who had companionship. Compared to this ... losing 10 kg of excess body weight can reduce your blood pressure by 5 to 20 mm Hg ... physical activity has been shown to lower it by 4 to 9 mm Hg.

This shows the importance of social relations in our lives. A big part of living a healthy life is enjoying good relationships with friends and family.

My research on naturally lowering blood pressure showed ... spending joyful time with friends is good for your health. Laughing with your comrades ... joking with your pals ... enjoying a fun time with your family ... these times relax you and counter high blood pressure.

More Loneliness and High Blood Pressure

As our population ages and more people are living alone ... loneliness and high blood pressure are on the increase. The first of the baby boomer generation are hitting 60 this year ... a large group of people will retire and move away from their circle of workplace friends. Family and friends move
get sick
pass away ... more and more elderly are feeling loneliness.

As household sizes decrease ... as the number of people living alone increases ... the risk of loneliness increases -- and with it
the risk of heart disease.

Social relationships need to be replenished ... you need to find new friends.

How To Avoid Loneliness

Get involved. Joining volunteer work and social groups allows you to make new friends. Getting out and about ... being active in your community ... it's not only good for exercise
but also for social contact. It's a great way to build your comradeship.

Join volunteer activities in your community. Help out with groups keeping parks clean ... join in area patrols ... take part in local blood drives ... work on a campaign. Doing something for your community not only makes you feel useful ... it brings you into close contact with others.

Take college night courses
join hiking groups
go on a tour ... all are great ways to meet interesting people. Have fun and share a laugh.

Be open to new friendships ... avoid being a lone wolf ... avoid high blood pressure. Take this one step to protect your heart
today.

Hypertension can wreck havoc on many body organs. Its effects on the heart are especially damaging. High blood pressure and heart disease are closely connected.

Moderate to high blood pressure significantly increases the load on the left side of the heart. Arterioles are often diseased or constricted
which increases resistance to blood flow. When this happens
the heart has to work much more to pump blood into the arterial system including the aorta.

When any muscle is overused
it tends to increase in size and bulk. The heart muscles react the same way. An enlarged heart is a sign of trouble.

Heart enlargement can be detected in several ways. A chest x-ray can reveal it. So can an electrocardiogram or even a physical examination.

In many high blood pressure patients
the walls of the left ventricle thicken. This increases the workload on the heart. Eventually
the heart falters and the left side of the heart no longer pumps blood adequately.

When this happens
major organs and tissues of the body are denied sufficient blood supply. The affected person becomes lethargic and weak.

Because of the higher pressure in the left ventricle
blood from the lungs cannot drain into the top compartment of the heart (the atrium). As a result
the lung tissues get congested which brings on bouts of breathlessness and coughs.

The patient may have a dry cough or even frothy phlegm with blood stains in it. This is a very scary experience to the sufferer and onlookers. In an acute attack
it seems to the patient that he or she is choking to death.

Breathlessness due to heart problems may be first noticed during prolonged physical exertion. If the condition has progressed further
breathlessness may occur even while resting.

This is a serious situation and needs to be tacked immediately. If this damage worsens
the right side of the heart will be affected as well. When pressure builds up in the right atrium
it will be difficult for veins to drain blood into it.

When the heart's condition deteriorates to this stage
the external jugular veins may become enlarged and more prominent. These veins are anyway close to the skin and may be visible even in healthy adults
but stress on the heart can increase their protrusion.

There are several other symptoms of right side heart failure. They include an enlarged liver
swollen ankles and feet
loss of appetite
swollen abdomen and lower urine flow.

High blood pressure and heart disease frequently have a cause and effect relationship. Making necessary lifestyle changes can help combat both.

In 2003
The American Heart Association reported that nearly one in three adults
or 65 million people had hypertension. Hypertension or high blood pressure is a common and treatable condition. You have high blood pressure if your blood pressure has a reading of 140 over 90 or higher (140/90mm Hg). Prehypertension is a reading of 120-139/80-89 mm Hg. The AHA reports 59 million adults have prehypertension. Sixty nine percent of people who have a heart attack and seventy seven percent of people who have a stroke have high blood pressure.

When you have hypertension there are no symptoms you can feel or see. The only way to tell is to have your blood pressure checked. In most cases
diet and lifestyle changes can help control mildly high blood pressure. But sometimes
your doctor will prescribe medication as well as lifestyle changes.

Here are some tips to help lower your blood pressure. Stop smoking
smoking narrows your blood vessels causing blood pressure to dramatically rise. You should also try to maintain a healthy weight. Eat fewer high fat foods and increase your physical activity. Exercise regularly
aerobic exercise tones your heart
blood vessels and muscles and helps keep your blood pressure low. Drink alcohol in moderation and limit your salt intake. A diet high in salt causes the body to retain water
which increases the volume of blood in circulation and increases the pressure in the arteries.

If you are required take blood pressure medication
take all the medication as prescribed. Try to take your pills close to the same time each day
and never skip a dose. If you have side effects or don’t believe your pressure is high
see your doctor about your concerns. Make sure you refill your prescriptions before they run out. Do not stop medication because your blood pressure is normal
chances are it’s is normal due to the medication.

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Right now
millions of students across the country are participating in physical activities at their schools - a basketball or soccer game
football and cheerleading practice or gym class. What if one of them had a life-threatening cardiac emergency? Would the school be prepared?

Sudden cardiac arrest strikes more than 340
0
Americans each year
including children and teens
usually without warning. Heart conditions tend to go undetected and often manifest themselves during physical activity. In the event of a cardiac arrest
a quick response and the early use of an automated external defibrillator (AED) are critical to improving the chances of survival.

According to the American Heart Association
early use of AEDs - portable devices that analyze the heart's rhythm and deliver an electric shock to reestablish a normal heartbeat -could raise the chance of survival by 20 percent or more.

"Nearly 95 percent of cardiac arrest victims die - usually because defibrillation occurs too late
said Dr. Vincent Mosesso Jr. of the National Center for Early Defibrillation based at the University of Pittsburgh.
Every minute that passes before returning the heart to a normal rhythm decreases the chance of survival by 10 percent. Patients who receive CPR [cardiopulmonary resuscitation] and a defibrillator shock within three minutes of going into sudden cardiac arrest have the best odds of survival."

Unfortunately
many schools aren't equipped with AEDs.

For that reason
Duracell and Zoll Medical Corp. have teamed up to help inform parents and educators about the importance of being prepared for these critical situations.

"Through this campaign
we want to work with communities across the country to provide their schools with the tools necessary to help save lives
said Kara Salzillo, manager of brand communications for Duracell.

Preventing a heart attack should be one of the things that concerns you most. After all
heart disease and heart attacks are some of the leading causes of death among people these days. And while it is obviously not possible to completely prevent having a heart attack
there are several important ways that you can help guard yourself against suffering a heart attack.

Tired of hearing advice about heart attack prevention? I guess people like me will continue to give advice about ways to prevent heart attacks until the numbers of people suffering the effects of heart attacks decreases significantly. If you have not taken seriously the warnings and advice you have heard
seen and read
then please read on to learn about simple ways of heart attack prevention for almost everyone.

Because the heart is a muscle it can be worked out and conditioned just like all of the other muscles in the body. Just like we can distinguish between people who are in good shape and people who are in poor shape
so we can distinguish between hearts that are in good shape or poor shape. One of the best ways to maintain the health of your heart and hence to prevent a heart attack is to get in shape. Exercise is so
so important in trying to prevent a heart attack from taking your life.

Taking the time for exercise and getting in shape should be high on your list of priorities. The three biggest excuses I hear from people about why they are not in better shape are that they are too tired
too busy
and that exercising costs too much money. When a possible heart attack is on the line
none of these three excuses seem valid enough to stop you from getting your body in good shape.

Being too tired to exercise is ironic in that exercise is one of the best ways to gain energy and to help people sleep well at night. Therefore
the best way to have the energy to exercise is simply to start exercising. Don't immediately jump up from the couch and run a marathon
but look for small and quick ways to incorporate exercise into your day. Even a small amount of brisk walking will do wonders in helping you prevent a heart attack.

Making the claim that you do not have enough time in your day to exercise is simply a reflection of what you care most about. Look at your days and see what you are making time for. Eating out
sleeping in
watching television? If you desire to really get in shape and to help prevent a heart attack
then making fifteen or twenty minutes a day will become easy and very doable.

Getting in shape does not have to cost you a lot of money. In fact
almost everyone I know can get outside and go for a walk for free. No one says that preventing a heart attack requires you to have a membership at the most expensive and exclusive athletic club. Heart attack prevention can be as simple as throwing on a pair of old sneakers and getting out for a walk or a jog.

Your heart is worth it. Regardless of the sacrifices you have to make in order to get in shape
preventing a heart attack is one of the most loving things you can do for yourself and the ones you love.

What is a heart-rate monitor?

Monitoring your heart rate is easy: If you're living
you've got one. A heart rate monitor allows you to effectively train at your target heart rate for optimal results during competition. First you’ve got to understand how monitors work. Most look like wristwatches and combine timekeeping functions with heart monitoring. For constant heart rate readout
purchase one with a chest strap transmitter that sends heart data to the wrist unit. Devices without a chest strap provide heart rate data but only when you are touching the unit with your hand. If you decide on buying one
lower you can find a few examples of what’s available
plus some characteristics.

One of the leading manufacturers is Polar (www.polar.fi)
which offers
amongst many other
these products:

Polar FS1

Heart rate monitor target zone with audible high/low heart rate monitor alarm. It displays heart rate and exercise duration during exercise. Has the option to recall total exercise duration and average heart rate after exercise. It’s clock has selectable 12/24 hour display. It includes T31 chest heart rate monitor transmitter and elastic strap. It is available in dark blue or yellow colors. This is just the thing for beginners and basic exercises.

Polar AXN 700

This heart rate monitors offer a complete set of features for hiking
climbing
mountaineering
skiing or other outdoor activities. It has a titanium case and the following additional features: resting heart rate test
slope counter
3
sets of heart rate limits and bearing setting. Amongst the usual specs of an heart rate monitor
you can also find:

HeartTouch™
button-free operation of wrist unit - lap information can be momentarily displayed by touching the Polar wrist unit to the chest transmitter belt.

Polar OwnCodeฎ prevents cross-talk from other heart rate monitors. As more and more people use heart rate monitors today
preventing cross talk from other devices in-group situations at the gym or when jogging with a friend becomes essential. The unique coded technology blocks unwanted signals from other heart rate monitors
ensuring disturbance-free transmission of your heart rate data.

Another manufacturer is Reebok (www.reebok.com)
where I found a few designs of heart rate monitor
presented below:

Reebok Personal Trainer Heart Monitor – It measures your heart rate to ECG accuracy. Displays time of day
calendar
and has a daily alarm function. Scan Sequence – Just press a button
unit will display average heart rate
highest & lowest heart rate and total exercise time. Contour Lite Transmitter included.

Reebok Precision Trainer Monitor

It has a heart rate zone high / low limit in 1 beat steps for exact heart zone
an out of zone alarm audible warning when out of zone. It displays heart rate and percentage of maximum heart rate. You don't have to calculate what the percentages should be
since it does that for you. For example: 99 Hour stopwatch with 50 lap memory plus an accumulated time in target zone. The triple display is it’s main feature
which makes it special
an can be swapped trough: Time of Day
Heart rate and percentage of maximum heart rate or
Stop Watch
Heart rate and percentage of maximum heart rate or
Time in Zone
Heart rate and percentage of maximum heart rate.

For more information on heart-rate monitors
you should visit the following sites:

www.heartratemonitor.co.uk/
www.heartmonitors.com/
www.consumersearch.com/www/health_and_fitness/heart-rate-monitors/
www.epinions.com/well-Supplies-Home_Diagnostics-Heart_Rate-All

According to the American Heart Association
nearly five million Americans are living with heart failure and 550
0
new cases are diagnosed each year. Heart failure is a serious condition that often is misunderstood. The questions below are intended to help clear up some misperceptions about this condition and its complications.

Q. What is heart failure?

A. Heart failure does not mean that your heart has stopped or is about to stop. It is a serious condition in which the heart doesn't pump blood through your body as well as it should.

Your heart still beats
but it pumps less nutrient- and oxygen-rich blood to the rest of your body. Because of this
heart failure can make you feel tired or weak. Heart failure also can cause swelling and fluid buildup in your legs
feet and even your lungs. Fluid buildup in your lungs often is referred to as "congestion
which is why heart failure is sometimes called
congestive heart failure (CHF)." At times
patients may require hospitalization to treat a worsening
or an acute episode
of their heart failure symptoms.

Q. What are the symptoms of heart failure?

A. Some symptoms of heart failure include shortness of breath
frequent coughing
increased heart rate
heart palpitations (your heart may feel like it is racing)
fatigue
weakness
swollen ankles and legs
loss of appetite and weight gain. Patients who experience acute episodes of their heart failure symptoms also may have extreme shortness of breath that leaves them gasping for air. Since they may have fluid buildup in their lungs
they may feel as though they are drowning.

Q. How are acute episodes of heart failure treated?

A. There are some common intravenous (IV) drugs that are commonly given to patients in hospitals to treat acute episodes of heart failure. They include diuretics
inotropes and IV vasodilators.

Please talk to your healthcare professional for more information.

The American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association launched different guidelines related to peripheral arterial disease in order to help doctors and all healthcare professionals to treat in a better way this common condition. According to statistics
more than 12 million people suffer from Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) in the United States.

PAD is a really serious illness
since it can cause amputation of the extremities
rupture of an aortic aneurysm
severe hypertension
kidney failure
but also heart attack
stroke
and cardiovascular death.

It is a disease in which arteries supply blood to the arteries outside the heart
to parts such as legs
feet
kidneys
and intestines. This arterial disease can cause damages to physical health of people
by diminishing for instance their ability to walk.

According to experts
the new guidelines supply a succinct diagnostic and treatment guidebook for patients suffering from PAD and for physicians
doctors' assistants
nurse practitioners
and nurses who are now offering care to treat them.

“A key source of the power of these recommendations is that they are so broad-based in their origin from every vascular specialty
as they attempt to reach a broad-based audience of clinicians. Everyone can use these Guidelines and a large segment of the public can benefit from them
” said Alan T. Hirsch
chairman of the writing committee.

Some highlights of the guidelines include recommended questions and observations that can uncover hidden signs of peripheral arterial disease; recommendations on when an aneurysm should be treated with surgery or catheter-based therapy
as well as when “watchful waiting” is the best way; among other things.