Heart Disease Prevention - How Can Higher Protein Intake Lower Atrial Fibrillation Risk?

Not getting enough protein in the diet can lead to health issues, for instance, tissue can break down and lead to muscle loss. For older women, eating more protein may significantly reduce the risk of developing atrial fibrillation (AFib). Find out more at:

https://www.howtopreventheartdisease.com/how-can-higher-protein-intake-lower-atrial-fibrillation-risk.html

Heart Disease Prevention - Will Burnout Lead To Atrial Fibrillation?

Old age, heart disease, high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, a family of history of the disorder, and respiratory diseases are some of the risk factors for AFib. A recent study reported that vital exhaustion is linked to development of AFib. Find out more at:

https://www.howtopreventheartdisease.com/will-burnout-lead-to-atrial-fibrillation.html

Heart Disease Prevention - Which Treatment Method Is Best For Atrial Fibrillation?

Medications or catheter ablation can lessen the burden of arrhythmia (frequency, impact, and symptoms) and improve quality of life. Nevertheless, they cannot reduce the risk of stroke. While the anti-arrhythmic drugs can stabilize the heart muscle tissue and help return the heart to its normal rhythm… Find out more at:

https://www.howtopreventheartdisease.com/which-treatment-method-is-best-for-atrial-fibrillation.html

Heart Disease Prevention - Will Vital Exhaustion Raise Risk Of Atrial Fibrillation?

Chance of AFib increases with age. Other risk factors include a family history of the disorder; heart disease; hypertension; obesity; a drinking problem; diabetes; smoking… Meanwhile, people who have vital exhaustion are more likely to develop AFib. Find out more at:

https://www.howtopreventheartdisease.com/will-vital-exhaustion-raise-risk-of-atrial-fibrillation.html

Heart Disease Prevention - Is Bad Oral Health Linked To Heart Disease?

For many years, poor oral health has been debated as a possible risk factor for heart disease. Mounting evidence has strengthened the link between oral health and heart disease. Find out more at:

https://www.howtopreventheartdisease.com/is-bad-oral-health-linked-to-heart-disease.html

Heart Disease Prevention - Can Vagus Nerve Stimulation Lower Atrial Fibrillation Risk?

Afib is the most common abnormal heart rhythm condition which affects more than 33.5 million individuals around the world. Patients who had an episode of Afib are more likely to develop another episode and may increase long-term complications including stroke, heart attack, heart failure. Find out more at:

https://www.howtopreventheartdisease.com/can-vagus-nerve-stimulation-lower-atrial-fibrillation-risk.html

Heart Disease Prevention - What Will Trigger Atrial Fibrillation?

While AFib can happen without a trigger, most people can identify at least some of their triggers. Stress, certain foods and beverages, air pollution or environmental factors, exercise, sex hormones, dehydration, and over-the-counter medications are some of the known triggers. Find out more at:

https://www.howtopreventheartdisease.com/what-will-trigger-atrial-fibrillation.html

Heart Disease Prevention - Why Is Heart Rhythm Important And How To Check?

Even if one has a healthy heart, he or she could have an arrhythmia at some point for no reason and without any real risk to the health. But if this happen too often for an extended period of time, there may be an underlying issue. Find out more at:

https://www.howtopreventheartdisease.com/why-is-heart-rhythm-important-and-how-to-check.html

Heart Disease Prevention - What Heart Problems Could Occur After Stroke?

Major neurological changes usually happen as a result of a stroke. But quite often, several kind of heart problems can happen in the patients immediately following a stroke. These can be heart attack (myocardial infarction), heart failure, and cardiac arrhythmias, including atrial fibrillation and ventricular fibrillation. Click the following link to find out more:

https://www.howtopreventheartdisease.com/what-heart-problems-could-occur-after-stroke.html

Heart Disease Prevention - Does Gender Difference Affect Heart Disease?

A women’s heart and some of its interior chambers, for instance, is usually smaller and the walls that divide some of these chambers are thinner. Men and women behave differently to stress, too. Because of these differences, women have risk factors and symptoms differ from that men have, and this will affect the treatments and outcomes of some common heart diseases.

Click the following link to find out more:

https://www.howtopreventheartdisease.com/does-gender-difference-affect-heart-disease.html

Heart Disease Prevention - Why Is Hypertension Linked To Atrial Fibrillation?

Hypertension is a condition in which the blood is pumped around the body at high pressure. If this goes on for too long, the added stress on the artery can cause damage that might narrow and cut blood flow. Because of this, all kinds of problems can then happen and one of them is atrial fibrillation. Find out more at:

http://howtopreventheartdisease.com/why-is-hypertension-linked-to-atrial-fibrillation.html

Heart Disease Prevention - Can Chocolate Promote Heart Health?

Previously, chocolate is generally perceived as an unhealthy food because its high sugar and fat contents may cause weight gain. But over the past years, numerous research has revealed otherwise. For instance, a study published in the journal ‘Heart’ in 2015 found that eating a moderate amount of chocolate a day may lower risk of heart disease and stroke. Find out more at:

Heart Disease Prevention - Can Chocolate Promote Heart Health?

Women Can Be Of Higher Stroke Risk!

Stroke, also known as brain attack, occurs when blood flow to an area of brain is cut off. When this happens, brain cells are deprived of oxygen and begin to die, and the victim could lose the abilities controlled by that area of the brain like memory and muscle control.

Hemorrhagic and ischemic stroke are 2 common types of stroke. Hemorrhagic stroke results from a weakened vessel that ruptures and bleeds into the surrounding brain. Ischemic stroke occurs when a blood vessel carrying blood to the brain is blocked and Most stroke victims suffer ischemic stroke and about 13 percent of the victim have hemorrhagic stroke. While some victims may recover completely from stroke, more than two-third of survivors have some sort of disability. Sadly, victim who had hemorrhagic stroke most often dies. 

Over the years, a number of risk factors have been found to link to stroke. Individuals with high blood pressure, heart disease, or diabetes are more likely to suffer stroke. Risk of stroke also increases with age. Some lifestyle factors such as smoking, drinking alcohol, being overweight or obese, and eating unhealthy diet can all play a role in putting one at higher risk.

A recent study published February 8, 2018 in the journal 'Stroke' pointed out that sex also plays a part, too. Researchers from Michigan State University, University of Maryland School of Medicine (S.K.), Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health and University of Michigan Stroke Program found that women are more likely to experience stroke than men, and mortality is much higher among women. According to them, stroke affects 55,000 more women than men each year in the United States. It is the leading cause of disability and the third leading cause of death in women.

Their analysis showed that several factors that increase stroke risk in women include menstruation before the age of 10, menopause before the age of 45, low levels of the hormone dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEAS), and use of birth control pills. A history of pregnancy complications, such as gestational diabetes and high blood pressure during or immediately after pregnancy, can also raise stroke risk.

Irregular heart rhythm or atrial fibrillation, though not included in the findings, is considered as a major risk factor for stroke. Previous studies have found that women generally have a higher rate of atrial fibrillation then men. In fact, people who had atrial fibrillation are 5 times more likely to get a stroke.

While some of these risk factors are fairly common, few women who have one or more will actually suffer a stroke. But it is important for doctors to be aware of these risks. They should monitor these women carefully by warning them that they are at higher risk and motivating them to adhere to the healthiest lifestyle behaviors to reduce the risk of high blood pressure and subsequent stroke.

Would Coffee Raise Atrial Fibrillation Risk?

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common cardiac disorder, which occurs when the normal rhythmic pumping of the upper chambers of the heart (the atria) break down. Instead of a normal heartbeat, the atria pulse or fibrillate at a fast or irregular rate. AF can cause dizziness, chest pain, and shortness of breath. It increases a person's risk of stroke and heart failure. Individuals with AF have 6 times the risk of stroke and twice the risk of all-cause mortality compared to those without AF.

Lifestyle like physical activity and diet may play a role in affecting the risk of developing AF. Studies have shown that people with AF may reduce the symptoms if they have right diet. Certain heart-healthy foods like fish, fruits and vegetables may help maintain some control over the heart's rhythms. Some foods that raises the blood pressure or heart rate are certainly bad for the heart and should be avoided. These include foods high in fat, sodium, and sugar. Eating too much of these foods can more likely to trigger events such as heart attacks.

Patients with AF are often told to avoid stimulants like caffeine and alcohol. But the science on caffeine as a trigger for AF is somewhat mixed. Older research suggests there is a link while newer studies do not. Caffeine can be found in widely consumed beverages like coffee, tea and soda.

Researchers from University of Minnesota School of Public Health reported in Journal 'Circulation' that higher alcohol intake is consistently related with an increased AF risk, while moderate intake of alcohol and caffeine seem to have no effect. Their findings were published online September 11, 2010.

Consumption of alcohol and caffeine was not significantly associated with AF risk, as revealed in the findings that were published online November 24, 2010 in the journal 'The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition'.

The other systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies, which was published online September 5, 2013 in Journal 'Heart' by BMJ, indicated that caffeine does not increase the risk of AF. In fact, low-dose caffeine may even have a protective effect.

In 2014, researchers from State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Beijing, China suggested that habitual caffeine intake is unlikely to increase AF risk. Their findings, which were published online January 6, 2014, argued that habitual caffeine consumption may actually reduce AF risk. The research involves analysis of 6 prospective cohort studies that included 228,465 participants. 3 of these studies were done in the US, 2 in Sweden, and 1 in Denmark.

Even though the study suggested that there is a protective effect of caffeine against AF, it is not recommended to use caffeine to treat AF on this basis. The results do reassure AF patients to continue to enjoy a cup or 2 of coffee every day without worry.

Nevertheless, one should note that too much caffeine could raise the blood pressure and heart rate that might trigger episodes of AF. So, stick to no more than 2 or 3 cups a day, or switch to decaf, or do both.

Heart Disease Prevention - Why Do Holidays Raise Heart Disease Risk?

During holidays, it is very common for people including healthy young adults to develop arrhythmia, most frequently atrial fibrillation, after several days of binge drinking. The condition is known as Holiday Heart Syndrome (HHS). HHS is usually temporary, but for some people, especially those with heart disease or who is at increased risk for heart disease, HHS can pose a special risk. Find out more at:

Heart Disease Prevention - Why Do Holidays Raise Heart Disease Risk?

Heart Disease Prevention - Are Heart Palpitations Caused By Heart Disease?

Sometimes, one may feel the heart pounds, flutters, or seem to skip beats. These are called palpitations that may be bothersome or even frightening, but most of them are not serious and seldom require treatment. They often go away on their own. Most of the time, they are caused by stress and anxiety, or because one had too much caffeine, nicotine, or alcohol.

Click the following link to find out if they are caused by heart disease.

Heart Disease Prevention - Are Heart Palpitations Caused By Heart Disease?

Heart Disease Prevention - How Is Stroke Related To Heart Disease?

It is common for heart problems including heart attack, congestive heart failure, abnormal heart rhythms, and cardiac arrest to occur immediately after a stroke. These heart problems may be caused by the stroke itself, or by the same underlying process that induced the stroke, or the heart problem may occur first to cause the stroke. More details at:

Heart Disease Prevention - How Is Stroke Related To Heart Disease?

How Is Atrial Fibrillation Linked To Cryptogenic Stroke?

Stroke or also known as brain attack, occurs when the supply of blood to the brain is interrupted or reduced because either the blood supply is blocked or blood vessel within the brain ruptures. When this happens, the brain does not get enough oxygen or nutrients causing brain cells to die.

There are 3 main kinds of stroke, namely ischemic strokes caused by blockages or narrowing of the arteries, hemorrhagic strokes caused by arteries in the brain either leaking blood or bursting open, and transient ischemic attacks (TIAs), also referred to as mini-strokes. TIAs produce short-lived stroke symptoms and usually do not bring permanent injury to the brain. They, however, do serve as warning signs for future strokes and indicate that there is a partially blocked artery or clot source in the heart. 

It is interesting to note that about 30 to 40 percent of ischemic strokes, and nearly half of all TIAs are cryptogenic. A cryptogenic stroke is one for which there is no apparent underlying cause. 

Being one of the potential causes of cryptogenic stroke, atrial fibrillation (AF) is hard to detect because of its symptomless. It may come and go at random, or they can be chronic and range from several days in length to being present all the time. It causes one of every 6 strokes usually major. As many as 8 of every 10 patients with a stroke brought on by AF die or are disabled. Other causes for cryptogenic stroke include Patent Foreman Ovale (PFO), inherited thrombophilias, aortic arch plaque, infectious, autoimmune and inflammatory states.

When AF occurs, blood flow from one chamber of the heart to the next and from the heart to the rest of the body becomes inconsistent. This may cause blood to pool in the upper chamber of the heart known as atria and starts to clot. Pieces that break off from a clot may travel through arteries and eventually arrive at the brain. If a clot becomes entrapped, it blocks the flow of blood to the part of the brain that vessel supplies. This causes a stroke.

Underlying heart disease and age are the 2 major risk factors, though AF can happen at any age without any apparent cause. AF can be sporadic and difficult to pinpoint. However, if one can watch out for symptoms like quivering or fluttering heartbeat, feeling like your heart is racing or beating irregularly, fluttering or thumping in the chest, dizziness, shortness of breath, anxiety, fainting (a result of less blood getting to the brain), and confusion (another result of less blood to the brain), and inform doctor accordingly may save his or her life. 

Doctors can use ECG to show AF even when there are no symptoms. But monitoring the heart for signs of AF may require more than the 24 hours, which was recommended by the previous guidelines. Some research suggested monitoring for a period of over 30 days may reveal 5 times more cases of AF in patients. Patients who are diagnosed with AF could take anticoagulation medicines to help keep that first stroke from happening, reducing the risk by at least 50 percent.

Heart Disease Prevention - Atrial Flutter Is Just Another Kind Of Arrhythmia

Talking about arrhythmia, most people will first think of atrial fibrillation, which is the most common one. But besides atrial fibrillation, there are other types of arrhythmia. One of the less common one is atrial flutter. Atrial flutter has similar symptoms as atrial fibrillation, like feeling faint, tiredness, palpitations, shortness of breath... To know more, click the following link:

Heart Disease Prevention - Atrial Flutter Is Just Another Kind Of Arrhythmia

Heart Disease Prevention - Can Mobile Health Devices Detect And Prevent Heart Disease?

In the past, it is difficult to use sensors and front-end electronics in wearable technology to gather physiological and movement data because of their size. But now, wearable sensors are available at much lower cost and utilized in digital health monitoring systems with miniature circuits, microcontroller functions, front-end amplification and wireless data transmission. Nevertheless, can mobile health devices detect and prevent heart disease? Find out more at:

Heart Disease Prevention - Can Mobile Health Devices Detect And Prevent Heart Disease?