Heart disease ranks among of the most common health problems in America today. It is also one of the deadliest diseases. More people die every year from heart disease than from any other cause, including cancer.
It is common knowledge that heart disease is largely lifestyle-related, caused by poor nutrition, lack of exercise, stress and sleep deprivation. Many, if not most, of the contributing factors to heart disease are under our control and can be changed.
Protecting Your Heart Health
Matters at Any Age
Weight management through healthy eating and regular exercise is as one of the most important steps one can take to reduce the risk of heart disease. Abstinence from smoking or drug- and alcohol abuse is also required. Medical management and sugery may be necessary in advanced stages of heart disease, but medical treatments work best when they are supported by a heart-health promoting lifestyle.
Why Your Heart Health Matters
Taking care of their heart’s health is not on most people’s mind. But when disaster strikes and there is a serious brush with loss of health and perhaps life itself, we realize the importance of keeping our heart healthy.
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Heart Healthy Living at Any Age
Protecting the health of our heart matters at any age. The longer we live, the more we have to adjust our lifestyles and take steps for the benefit of our health and especially the heart.
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Minimizing the Risk of Heart Disease
Not all people are equally at risk of developing heart disease. A close connection between lifestyle and heart health is supported by the fact that people who are less likely to suffer from heart disease have similar profiles.
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Diagnostic Procedures of Heart Disease
Heart disease is called “the silent killer,” because there are often no definite symptoms or indications for the illness. Many people don’t know they have heart disease until they suffer a heart attack or stroke.
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Medical Management of Heart Disease
Ongoing clinical care is imperative for the successful treatment of heart disease. Regular follow-up examinations and tests are strongly recommended, based on risk profile and medical history.
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Surgical Care of Heart Disease
In more severe cases of heart disease, surgical procedures may be required to reestablish an adequate flow of blood to the heart muscle. There are a number of surgical techniques that can be applied for revascularization.
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Self-Care for Heart Disease Patients
If you have suffered a heart attack in the past, underwent heart surgery or have been diagnosed with heart disease, it is important to follow basic self-care guidelines to minimize future risks.
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Eating Smart for a Healthy Heart
Many heart disease patients are confused and uncertain about their dietary requirements. But heart healthy eating does not have to be complicated. In fact, meal plans for heart patients can be easy and quick to make, and they don’t have to be bland and boring.
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Get the Facts on Fats
Not all fats are the same. But when it comes to weight management and heart healthy eating, all fats should be treated the same way: Stay within your limits!
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The Health Benefits of Fiber
Dietary fiber comes in two forms − soluble and insoluble – both of which provide certain health benefits. The dietary guidelines for total fiber intake per day prescribe 20 to 35 grams or more.
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How Much Sodium Is Acceptable?
Many processed foods have a high sodium content. Food manufacturers use sodium to enhance taste and to extend the shelf life of their products. There are many ways to cut back on sodium.
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Is Alcohol Really Good for Your Heart?
A number of clinical studies have found that alcohol has indeed certain health benefits, most notably for the heart. Especially moderate consumption of red wine may reduce the risk of coronary disease.
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Understanding Your Cholesterol Profile
A certain amount of cholesterol is necessary for a number of important body functions. But the cholesterol needed is limited to minute quantities. When too much cholesterol accumulates, it can become quite harmful.
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Homocysteine and Heart Disease
Clinical studies have shown that the concentrated presence of homocysteine in the blood can cause an increased risk of heart disease and stroke, although there is no general consensus at what level homocysteine becomes dangerous.
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Understanding the Impact of Stress on the Heart
For too long, stress has been treated as a mental or psychological concern, without much understanding of its physical implications. Heightened hormone activity during stress causes not only the heart to beat faster to pump more blood, the blood vessels themselves also constrict and become narrower, making the task even harder. This combination spells trouble, especially for those who are already at risk.
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Hypertension – The Silent Killer
Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, is often called “the silent killer,” because it is a deadly disease that shows no early symptoms. It is the single most significant risk factor for heart disease, congestive heart failure, stroke and kidney disease.
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Related Articles:
- Homocysteine and Heart Disease
- Heart Health
- Self-Care for Heart Disease Patients
- Heart Health Month – An Important Reminder
- What Women Need to Know About Heart Health
- Minimizing the Risk of Heart Disease
[...] more information on heart-healthy living, please go to the “Eating Smart for a Healthy Heart“ section of the “Food and Health with Timi Gustafson R.D.” [...]