dance cardio workout

It’s essential to organize a Home Team before you go in for heart surgery
even if you have little time before your surgery to plan it. On the other hand
if you have just gotten home from the hospital
don’t worry it’s not too late. A Home Team is a group of friends and family who are willing to assist you in your recovery following your surgery. Make a list of up to fifteen people
family and friends (but not your primary caregiver) who would be glad – even honored – to be called to help out. Pick a leader among these friends and engage her or him to contact the others about the tasks ahead. Set up a revolving schedule of assignments for your first three to four weeks at home.

Your Primary Caregiver Has The Most Important Role

Who will your primary caregiver be; your spouse
your partner
a friend
or another family member? In my new book
The Open Heart Companion: Preparation and Guidance for Open-Heart Surgery Recovery the following scenario is explained to help you better understand their importance: Suddenly your caregiver
your close personal ally
has the extended responsibility for all previously shared arrangements – nursing aid
household tasks
transportation
medical and social plan coordination. It can become overwhelming and too much for one person. That is why it is essential that you line up a supportive Home Team to pitch in. Your primary caregiver needs assistance and taking care of too. Once you are home and recovering
he or she is now “on” 24/7. He or she also needs continuing acknowledgment
appreciation and love from you. Plan to regularly express your gratitude. Find out how your loved one is feeling – every day. Though sometimes you won’t feel like it
remember to smile
and show you care and appreciate all that is being done for you.

Five basic tasks to assign to your Home Team

1. Dinner nightly
Some friends will like to prepare a home cooked meal for both patient and caregiver
while others can pick up a heart healthy take-out meal. Since the reality of landing back home means the primary caregiver has antenna focused on you continuously
your caregiver loved one will appreciate the sit-down break at dinner time.

2. Buddy system
During the many hours and days of convalescence
neither patient nor primary caregiver wants to feel isolated at home. Anticipate a buddy system in advance. Is there a friend who has been though open-heart surgery who will agree to check in with the patient regularly? Is there someone that the heart patient can call spontaneously? Many basic questions can be answered this way
by a friend or family member. Naturally
any substantial recovery question requires picking up the phone and calling your designated medical professional. Maybe you know
or know of
a former heart patient who also is a medical professional? Arrange chat times (perhaps twice weekly) with him or her. Primary caregiver and patient should also plan regular phone time with a best friend independently
to be free to let their hair down to tell it like it is.

3. Running errands
Who – friend or neighbor – would be willing to be counted on to run to the pharmacy or to deposit or pick up laundry or dry cleaning? How about someone who will shop for staples at the supermarket or buy a box of thank-you notes? Recruit a list of volunteers beforehand. It’s critical to have this in place to enable you to focus on getting well.

4. Housekeeping
In the hospital take-home instructions
there are very specific physical directives that must be honored while the sternum (breastbone) is healing. You are not to lift more than five to ten pounds for four to six weeks. As well
you are to avoid pushing/pulling activities with your arms
and also avoid heavy one-armed lifting for three months. This eliminates carrying groceries
carrying a toddler
vacuuming
shoveling snow
mowing the lawn
raking leaves – even wiping up a kitchen counter with a sponge can be challenging in the first couple of weeks. It is best to schedule others for regular housekeeping duties for at least four to six weeks and/or consider hiring a house cleaner for the short term.

5. Chauffeuring
An open-heart patient may not resume driving for six to eight weeks – until the sternum is fully healed. Because you don’t want to risk re-injuring the sternum should a passenger airbag need to be deployed
you might be advised to ride in the back seat using the shoulder seat belt. That said
you can ride in a car as soon as you’re home – to a medical appointment
to the store
to eat out. However
all these outings become a lot of driving for the primary caregiver
so line up chauffeur volunteers.

Recovering from heart surgery can be challenging
but with these tips and more tips on planning ahead found in The Open Heart Companion you can ensure that your recovery will go smoothly.

The heart is a tough operating mechanism which moves blood around the body through a very advanced system called arteries and capillaries; the blood is then carried back to the heart by means of veins. Blood pressure is the thrust of this blood in the body pushing up against the inside walls of the arteries as the heart is pumping.

As the heart compresses it will drive this blood into the arteries which makes an increase in pressure. This increase in pressure is noted as systolic pressure.

When the heart decompresses and fills with blood
the pressure in the arteries then declines which is noted as the diastolic pressure. When the blood pressure is evaluated in the arm
it is both of these pressures which are evaluated.

Blood pressure is always applied as a systolic and diastolic pressure number
and is an important measurement. The measurements are always written one preceding or before the other number
such as 120/80 and always stated in millimeters of mercury (mmHg).

The systolic pressure is the 1st or top side number
and the diastolic pressure is the 2nd or lowermost number (for example
120
so if your blood pressure is 120/80
it is translating to 120 over 80.

Blood pressure will have a wide range with a varity of people. For example
the top reading which is when the heart contracts (systolic) can change from 90 to 240 mmHg and the bottom pressure which is when the heart relaxes (diastolic) can often change from 40 to 160 mmHg.

Blood pressure can also vary significantly depending on what you are doing during the day. The lowest blood pressures usually happen when you are sleeping or if resting all the muscles. Standing for periods of time
or if you're performing any form of exercise
any anxiety and problems
or nerviness can also create increases in blood pressure.

That means in one day the blood pressure could change by up to a 30 to 40 mmHg systolic reading with like changes in the diastolic pressure. This is why it's so crucial to have the blood pressure taken under the same conditions each time.

For the bulk of the waking hours
the blood pressure remains about the same whether you are sitting or standing still
so ideally
the blood pressure should be 120/80 or lower when the body is rested.

If the blood pressure is steady and remains high at 140/90 or higher
this may indicate a disease called Hypertension which essentially means high blood pressure. When the blood pressure is high
the heart has to work more to get the blood through your arteries. These then take a beating from having the blood pressured into them
and the danger of a stroke
heart attack
or even kidney troubles then become that much of a greater risk.

High blood pressure is a serious disease because it has the heart working much harder. If the heart has to work harder for extended periods
it will become large. If the heart is slightly enlarged
it can and should still work alright
but if it becomes greatly enlarged it won't work alright. High blood pressure can also cause damage to the arteries which can lead to arterial disease.

The higher the blood pressure is the more risk you have of acquiring heart disease and stroke. This means somebody with a blood pressure of 130/80 mmHg is at greater risk than someone with a blood pressure of 120/70 mmHg. And is the reason it is so important for all to lead a wholesome lifestyle to make sure their blood pressure is as low and as healthy as it can be.

If you put up with Hypertension
it can be treated. Modest cases of Hypertension can usually be treated through lifestyle changes such as the diet
or increasing the workout levels. Some find dropping weight is all that is needed to lower their high blood pressure.

Severe cases of Hypertension will need prescription medications such as diuretics and beta blockers. Diuretics aid the body in getting rid of any excess fluids and salt. But
from individual experience
keep course of the body's potassium levels also. Beta blockers will lower the heart rate and the heart's output of blood. These then lower the risk of developing heart and brain problems.

According to the American Heart Association
heart disease is responsible for almost 1 million deaths annually in the United States
half of which are women. The good news is that many of the risk factors that lead to heart disease - obesity
smoking and a sedentary lifestyle
to name just a few - can be remedied.

"Simple changes such as watching what you eat and exercising are two powerful steps in helping to reduce your risk of heart disease
said Dr. Suzanne Steinbaum, a cardiologist at New York's Beth Israel Medical Center.

Here are some simple tips to help reduce your risk of developing heart disease.

* Add heart-smart foods. Living a heart-healthy lifestyle does not mean giving up delicious foods. Fruits, vegetables and whole grains are heart-healthy winners. Include Minute Maid Premium Heart Wise, the only orange juice proven to help lower your cholesterol level.

* Get a move on. Physical activity is essential for a healthy heart. Start small. Take the stairs instead of the elevator, squeeze in a 15-minute walk during your day or park your car in the farthest parking spot at the grocery store.

* Weigh your options. Being overweight puts your heart at risk. If you are overweight, losing as little as 5 percent to 10 percent of your current weight can help reduce your risk for heart disease. Healthy eating and physical activity can help you reach your healthy weight goals.

* Know your numbers. Learn about your own risks for heart disease. Keep tabs on your health and pay attention to any abnormal signs and symptoms. Visit your health care professional and have your cholesterol checked regularly.

Minute Maid has partnered with WomenHeart: The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease to help educate women about heart disease and improve the quality of life for those living with the disease.

As part of this awareness campaign, people are invited to take the Minute Maid Premium Heart Wise 8-Week Challenge for Health and Wellness, a program that encourages people to commit to a healthier lifestyle, including drinking two 8-fluid-ounce servings of Minute Maid Premium Heart Wise orange juice daily with meals.

High blood pressure is known as a silent killer. And probably most don’t even think about their blood pressure. However
high blood pressure can be quite fatal. There are some symptoms that can indicate that you have high blood pressure
and can prevent you from having a stroke. So continue reading as it might save your life or the life of someone you know.

Some of the typical signs of high blood pressure are headaches
dizziness
pounding in the ears and a bloody nose. But some people experience a small pain in the back of their head or have an increase in urination.

Though an increase in urination could mean your blood sugar is really high
if you are diabetic. That’s why it’s hard to see the signs. But if you are diabetic and you are experiencing an increase in urination and headaches
then just check your blood sugar and see if that is the cause. If it is not then you can rule out high blood sugar
and find out if you have high blood pressure.

Adding salt to your diet can also inflate your risk of having blood pressure. Having too much salt in your diet can increase your blood pressure. Talk to your doctor if need to cut down on your salt intake.

But if you have to cut down on the salt
you can use many other herbs instead of salt. Garlic
chives
and onions are good alternatives. Cutting down on the slat is not so bad
just think of the alternative.

You shouldn’t ignore high blood pressure; it can be very fatal if unchecked. The result could be you having a stroke. A stroke can be very deadly and limit your movements. So go to the doctor and see if you have high blood pressure.

Heart attacks are a very serious heart condition that 'attack' suddenly. They can be characterized by a spectrum of chest pains and discomfort as well as sweating
vomiting and nausia. Sometimes these symptoms can even result in a complete loss of consciousness. Heart attacks occur when the blood supply to a part of the heart is interrupted. This interuption causes both death and scarring of the tissue in the local area of the heart.

Due to the fact that the interuption can vary in size
as can the area that is affected. Large or small
heart attacks are serious and often life-threatening. Deemed as such they are a medical emergency which needs immediate attention from an emergency medical service. Staying on top of heart attack symptoms as well as the combination of complete medical history
blood tests and ECG findings are what make up the diagnosis for heart attacks.

In recovery the most important thing is restoring the flow of blood back to the area of the heart that has been interrupted. This is acheived through thrombolysis and/or angioplasty. Thrombolysis is a procedure in which the clot is dissolved in the artery enymatically. Angioplasty is the procedure in which a balloon is used to push open the artery.

Great importance is placed on monitoring for various complications
that could prevent a secondy heart attack. Through this monitoring work is done to help eliminate any risk factors that may exist
which helps to reduce the odds of further heart attacks.

Blood pressure is the force of your blood pushing against the walls of the arteries each time your heart beats. Your blood pressure is highest each time the heart beats
pumping blood into the arteries. This is called systolic pressure
and is the high number in your reading. The diastolic pressure measures the pressure in between beats
when your heart is at rest. Your blood pressure is lowest while sleeping and although it varies some during the day
it remains close to the same. Normal blood pressure is 120/80. If your systolic pressure rises to 140 or above
or if your diastolic pressure rises to 90 or above
this is considered high blood pressure.

According to the American Heart Association
an estimated one in three U.S. adults have high blood pressure
also known as hypertension
and an alarming one-third of those don't even know they have it. It's no wonder this condition has long been called "the silent killer". High blood pressure is a major risk factor for stroke
heart attack
heart failure and kidney failure. And when it exists with obesity
smoking
high blood cholesterol or diabetes
the risk of heart attack or stroke increases several times. If you don't have high blood pressure by age 55
your chance of developing it at some point in your life is 90 percent
according to the National Heart
Lung
and Blood Institute.

Although high blood pressure can occur in both children and adults
it is most common in those over age 35
and is most prevalent in African Americans
middle-aged and elderly people
obese people
heavy drinkers and women taking birth control pills. Although many people get high blood pressure as they get older
it is not part of the aging process! Proper diet
exercise and lifestyle changes can help in prevention and lowering of blood pressure.

Commonly Prescribed Medication for High Blood Pressure

In 90–95 percent of cases
research scientists don't know what causes high blood pressure
but fortunately they know enough to have developed both drug and non-drug products to treat it effectively.

A wide variety of medications are available to medical professionals for treating high blood pressure. Although other classes of medications are sometimes prescribed
the most commonly prescribed can be broken down into five different classes of medications that work in different ways to lower pressure.

•Diuretics (water pills) work in the kidney to get rid of excess water and sodium.
•Beta-Blockers reduce nerve impulses to the heart and blood vessels to cause the heart to beat more slowly and with less force.
•Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors prevent the formation of a hormone called angiotensin II
which would otherwise cause vessels to narrow.
•Angiotensin Receptor Blockers (ARB) block the action of angiotensin II.
•Calcium Channel Blockers prevent calcium from entering the muscle cells of the heart and blood vessels
causing blood vessels to relax.

As of June
2005
there didn't appear to be much global agreement among medical experts worldwide in terms of recommended first-line therapy for treating high blood pressure. It is important to note that in June
2006
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence and the British Hypertension Society have come to an agreement within the UK
and have issued new guidelines
including important changes to help guide primary care physicians in determining first-line therapy. A major change is that Beta-Blockers
which have been shown to be less effective in preventing strokes and more likely to cause diabetes
are no longer recommended as routine treatment for the majority of people with high blood pressure. Instead
ACE Inhibitors (or Angiotensin Receptor Blockers if there are side effects) are now recommended in the UK for most people
with some exceptions
before trying other classes of medication for hypertension.

As with any medication
there may be side effects from taking ACE Inhibitors
and some should not use them at all
including black people of any age. According to the Mayo Clinic
a study published by the New England Journal of Medicine
also in June
2006
indicated an increased risk of birth defects in children whose mothers took ACE inhibitors during the first trimester
adding to the known risks during the second and third trimesters. While most people can tolerate ACE Inhibitors
some may experience side effects such as cough
elevated blood potassium levels
low blood pressure
dizziness
headache
drowsiness
weakness
abnormal taste (metallic or salty taste)
and rash. Rare
but more serious side effects include kidney failure
allergic reactions
a decrease in white blood cells
and swelling of tissues (angioedema).

Very similar to ACE Inhibitors are ARB medications
and depending on the individual's particular health issues
a doctor may switch between the two
and may sometimes prescribe both. The most common side effects with ARBs are cough
elevated potassium levels
low blood pressure
dizziness
headache
drowsiness
diarrhea
abnormal taste sensation (metallic or salty taste)
and rash. Compared to ACE inhibitors
cough occurs less often with ARBs. The most serious
but rare
side effects are kidney failure
liver failure
allergic reactions
a decrease in white blood cells
and swelling of tissues (angioedema).

On January 19
2007
Rush University Medical Center reported findings that ACE Inhibitors and ARBs prevent people from getting diabetes
and that diuretics and beta-blockers increase the chance that a person becomes diabetic. The authors pointed out that more studies are required to determine whether new-onset diabetes leads to as many heart attacks
strokes or death
as long-standing diabetes. However
their data suggests that the differences between antihypertensive drugs regarding the risk for new-onset diabetes are real and are significant.

Melaleuca offers a natural high blood pressure remedy called ProStolic which interacts with a natural body enzyme much like the ACE Inhibitors and ARB medications to relax blood vessels and allow healthy blood flow. As a comparison
it might be helpful to understand how the ACE and ARB class of drugs react
as well as how the non-drug hypertension remedy ProStolic™ reacts with the body.

In Part 2 of our Blood Pressure Research Report we will discuss the ACE Inhibitors and Angiotension Receptor Blockers
Natural Therapy for Maintaining Healthy Blood Pressure and benefits of Bioactive Casein Hydrolysate Tripeptides VPP and IPP.

What exactly is high blood pressure and why isn't there global agreement among the medical industry of for the best treatment? Learn more about the dangers of high blood pressure and commonly prescribed medications for hypertension in part 1 of our blood pressure report.

Blood pressure is the force of your blood pushing against the walls of the arteries each time your heart beats. Your blood pressure is highest each time the heart beats
pumping blood into the arteries. This is called systolic pressure
and is the high number in your reading. The diastolic pressure measures the pressure in between beats
when your heart is at rest. Your blood pressure is lowest while sleeping and although it varies some during the day
it remains close to the same. Normal blood pressure is 120/80. If your systolic pressure rises to 140 or above
or if your diastolic pressure rises to 90 or above
this is considered high blood pressure..

According to the American Heart Association
an estimated one in three U.S. adults have high blood pressure
also known as hypertension
and an alarming one-third of those don't even know they have it. It's no wonder this condition has long been called "the silent killer".

High blood pressure is a major risk factor for stroke
heart attack
heart failure and kidney failure. And when it exists with obesity
smoking
high blood cholesterol or diabetes
the risk of heart attack or stroke increases several times. If you don't have high blood pressure by age 55
your chance of developing it at some point in your life is 90 percent
according to the National Heart
Lung
and Blood Institute.

Although high blood pressure can occur in both children and adults
it is most common in those over age 35
and is most prevalent in African Americans
middle-aged and elderly people
obese people
heavy drinkers and women taking birth control pills. Although many people get high blood pressure as they get older
it is not part of the aging process! Proper diet
exercise and lifestyle changes can help in prevention and lowering of blood pressure.
Commonly Prescribed Medication for High Blood Pressure

In 90-95 percent of cases
research scientists don't know what causes high blood pressure
but fortunately they know enough to have developed both drug and non-drug products to treat it effectively.

A wide variety of medications are available to medical professionals for treating high blood pressure. Although other classes of medications are sometimes prescribed
the most commonly prescribed can be broken down into five different classes of medications that work in different ways to lower pressure.

Diuretics (water pills) work in the kidney to get rid of excess water and sodium.

Beta-Blockers reduce nerve impulses to the heart and blood vessels to cause the heart to beat more slowly and with less force.

Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors prevent the formation of a hormone called angiotensin II
which would otherwise cause vessels to narrow.

Angiotensin Receptor Blockers (ARB) block the action of angiotensin II.

Calcium Channel Blockers prevent calcium from entering the muscle cells of the heart and blood vessels
causing blood vessels to relax.

As of June
2005
there didn't appear to be much global agreement among medical experts worldwide in terms of recommended first-line therapy for treating high blood pressure. It is important to note that in June
2006
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence and the British Hypertension Society have come to an agreement within the UK
and have issued new guidelines
including important changes to help guide primary care physicians in determining first-line therapy. A major change is that Beta-Blockers
which have been shown to be less effective in preventing strokes and more likely to cause diabetes
are no longer recommended as routine treatment for the majority of people with high blood pressure. Instead
ACE Inhibitors (or Angiotensin Receptor Blockers if there are side effects) are now recommended in the UK for most people
with some exceptions
before trying other classes of medication for hypertension.

As with any medication
there may be side effects from taking ACE Inhibitors
and some should not use them at all
including black people of any age. According to the Mayo Clinic
a study published by the New England Journal of Medicine
also in June
2006
indicated an increased risk of birth defects in children whose mothers took ACE inhibitors during the first trimester
adding to the known risks during the second and third trimesters. While most people can tolerate ACE Inhibitors
some may experience side effects such as cough
elevated blood potassium levels
low blood pressure
dizziness
headache
drowsiness
weakness
abnormal taste (metallic or salty taste)
and rash. Rare
but more serious side effects include kidney failure
allergic reactions
a decrease in white blood cells
and swelling of tissues (angioedema).

Very similar to ACE Inhibitors are ARB medications
and depending on the individual’s particular health issues
a doctor may switch between the two
and may sometimes prescribe both. The most common side effects with ARBs are cough
elevated potassium levels
low blood pressure
dizziness
headache
drowsiness
diarrhea
abnormal taste sensation (metallic or salty taste)
and rash. Compared to ACE inhibitors
cough occurs less often with ARBs. The most serious
but rare
side effects are kidney failure
liver failure
allergic reactions
a decrease in white blood cells
and swelling of tissues (angioedema) .

On January 19
2007
Rush University Medical Center reported findings that ACE Inhibitors and ARBs prevent people from getting diabetes
and that diuretics and beta-blockers increase the chance that a person becomes diabetic. The authors pointed out that more studies are required to determine whether new-onset diabetes leads to as many heart attacks
strokes or death
as long-standing diabetes. However
their data suggests that the differences between antihypertensive drugs regarding the risk for new-onset diabetes are real and are significant.

Melaleuca offers a natural high blood pressure remedycalled ProStolic which interacts with a natural body enzyme much like the ACE Inhibitors and ARB medications to relax blood vessels and allow healthy blood flow. As a comparison
it might be helpful to understand how the ACE and ARB class of drugs react
as well as how the non-drug hypertension remedy ProStolic formula reacts with the body.

In Part 2 of our Blood Pressure Research Report we will discuss the ACE Inhibitors and Angiotension Receptor Blockers
Natural Therapy for Maintaining Healthy Blood Pressure and benefits of Bioactive Casein Hydrolysate Tripeptides VPP and IPP.

A month ago
I received news that a former colleague of mine collapsed in his office
and had a sudden massive heart attack and did not survive the night to see his family. He was in his early fifties.

This incident motivated another former colleague to have his blood checked for cholesterol. The cardiologist recommended immediate hospitalisation and he was operated on for a triple coronary bypass within days. Without that bypass
this friend would likely encounter a fatal massive coronary heart attack.

These two ghastly incidents jarred me into researching ways to bring down my own level of cholesterol
and to read medical books on cholesterol.

In my research
what amazed me was there were safe and effective ways to lower blood cholesterol and hence reduce the probability of a heart attack.

I was encouraged that it was possible to cut the risk of heart attack by more than half by limiting the amount of cholesterol produced by the body
and increase the amount of cholesterol eliminated by the body.

I discovered a fascinating diet of oatbran and a vitamin called Naicin that was being used by hundreds of concerned individuals throughout the world
popularized by the medical writer Robert E. Kowalski in his program and best-seller "The 8-Week Cholesterol Cure".

Oatbran contains soluble fibre that encourages the liver to produce bile acids. The more oatbran that is consumed
the more bile acids are produced
and excreted from the body. These bile acids draw the cholesterol from the blood
and therefore remove the cholesterol from the body when they are excreted. This means the chances for a congested artery is much reduced.

I was encouraged by the numbers. A study showed that six males who ate a high-fibre diet containing 50 grams of oat bran daily were able to maintain a 23.5 % decrease from their original cholesterol levels.

To me this was a convenient and natural strategy to reduce my personal cholesterol. It was a matter of getting down to the supermarket and to buy a packet of 500 grams oatbran.

By taking half a cup of oatbran a day
which is equivalent to some 50 gram of oatbran
a single packet of 500 grams will last me for around 2 weeks.

Now
I am not a great baker
and so I did not start by making oatbran muffins which is actually a great way to consume the oatbran. Instead
I mix the oatbran in a hot chocolate drink
consuming 25 grams of oatbran twice a day to get the 50 grams of oatbran.

As for the vitamin Naicin
I was encouraged that as far back as in 1975 the United States Coronary Drug Project singled out Naicin as being responsible for a 29 percent reduction in nonfatal heart attacks.

I have Naicin in the multivitamins I consume daily
and so I am not opting for single larger intake of this vitamin
and will prefer to let the soluble fibre of the oatbran to do its work.

It took one fatal case of a heart attack and a triple coronary bypass on another friend of mine to jolt me into serious action to take control of my cholesterol.

It is time to take some action to lower your cholesterol if you have been postponing this. Of course
you may opt for exercise and a balanced diet as well. It is never too late to begin a structured personal program to take control of your cholesterol.

Despite many advances in heart disease
it continues to be a large public health threat in the United States.

More than 70 million Americans have heart disease. One American dies from heart disease every 34 seconds. Nearly half of the population will suffer a heart attack or stroke in his or her lifetime. As the American population ages
the number of people with heart disease will likely increase.

But
there is good news in all of these numbers. The way doctors treat heart disease is starting to change. For example
we now know that heart disease most often occurs because of a number of risk factors. Doctors are starting to look at the cardiovascular system as a whole
in an effort to prevent heart disease
rather than treating one risk factor at a time.

And patients can play a big role
too. You have to ask the right questions
provide the correct information and work with your health care professional to make sure that you understand what the information means to you personally.

Think of risk factors as pieces of a puzzle. When put together
the pieces can help show you your chance of suffering a heart attack or stroke in the future. Each person's risk factor puzzle fits together differently.

In addition to the factors related to family history and behavior
recent research suggests there may be other risk factors to consider
such as C-reactive protein (CRP). CRP
a protein made by the liver
is a marker of inflammation in the body. Though the role of CRP in heart disease is still unclear
recent data suggest levels of CRP may predict risk for heart attack. If you have several risk factors for heart disease
your doctor may recommend a test to check your CRP level.

It's important to keep track of your risk factors and know what they might mean for you. The more risk factors you have
the greater your chance of having a heart attack or stroke.

Take control of your own unique health puzzle. Ask your doctor what you can do to reduce your risk
making lifestyle changes and taking medication if needed-particularly if you have one or more risk factors. You may be able to prevent heart disease before it strikes.

But
what IS aerobic exercise??
According to the definition from the Global Healing Centers website
“Aerobic exercise is a type of movement such as running or cycling that gets your heart pumping faster and increases your oxygen intake.”
Fine examples of aerobic exercise are; running
dynamic yoga
cycling
fast walking
circuit training
skiing and rollerblading.

Ok
so we are all told we need to partake in aerobic exercise to obtain many benefits
such as
weight loss
better skin and muscle tone. But that’s not all! There are psychological benefits of aerobic exercise too!
So
what are the psychological benefits of aerobic exercise?

In short
the benefits are; improved mood
reduces anxiety
reduces depression and acts as a buffer against stress.
But lets go into a little more detail…

The Psychological Payoffs

Mood Enhancer

When we exercise aerobically
our bodies produces little chemical called endorphins
which
scientifically speaking
are polypeptides
which are able to bind to the neuron-receptors in the brain to give relief from pain. Endorphins are not just produced from exercise; they are also triggered by deep-breathing
meditation
eating spicy food and deep laughter. Just don’t do all five at once…
Endorphins are believed to produce four key effects on the body; they relieve pain
they reduce stress
they enhance the immune system and they postpone the aging process.
It may be worth your while to stock up on some fitness equipment
they might make things easier for you. I prefer to exercise outside but I do have an indoor stationary bike
that way
if it’s raining
I have no excuse not to exercise.

Reduces Anxiety and Depression

Depression and Anxiety can lead to a feeling of isolation. Partaking in aerobic sports
one can choose to join a running club
swimming club
gym or any other sports club. It’s an excellent way to gain the psychological benefits of aerobic activity
because it gets you out an about and can put you in positions where you HAVE to speak to people.
Aerobic exercise offers a distraction. For an hour or so each day
you can put yourself in a position where you are too busy worrying about the prospect of having to run another two miles before you can stop.
Burning excess fat and toning up can boost anyone’s confidence. Clothes fit better
and you receive compliments from friends. Which often is enough to begin to lift the heavy cloud of a mild depression.

Stress Reduction

Do you feel like the whole world is collapsing on top of you? I think everyone does at one stage or another. If you keep positive
it will pass. Aerobic exercise is a great way to keep positive. When you are stressed
it is important to get enough sleep. Exercisers actually go to sleep faster
are more refreshed and have sharper memories. Exercise increases the blood flow to the brain
bringing extra sugar and oxygen
which can help when concentrating. And once again
the little endorphins can make you happier
making you feel like maybe it will all be ok after all.

So
in conclusion
exercise! There are too many benefits that you will be missing out on if you don’t.