Heart Disease Prevention - The Relationship Between Anxiety And Heart Disease!

Being part of life, anxiety is one thing that every human being will encounter from time to time. Sometimes it can be motivating. But it needs to be balanced out by parasympathetic nervous system activity. Unfortunately, some people with anxiety do not have such balance, and this could hurt the heart over time. Find out more at:

https://www.howtopreventheartdisease.com/the-relationship-between-anxiety-and-heart-disease.html

Heart Disease Prevention - Will Burnout Lead To Atrial Fibrillation?

Mounting evidence has suggested that a diet rich in flavanols can have a positive impact on cardiovascular health. According to new research, eating foods high in flavanols, like tea and cocoa, can help lower blood pressure, even among people with hypertension. Find out more at:

https://www.howtopreventheartdisease.com/would-flavanol-rich-diet-prevent-heart-disease.html

Heart Disease Prevention - What Is The Implication Of New Blood Pressure Guidelines?

Keeping blood pressure in check is paramount because it would affect the heart health. High blood pressure is a major risk factor for premature heart disease, stroke, heart attacks, heart failure, and even dementia. In 2017, new guidelines introduced by the American College of Cardiology (ACC) and the American Heart Association (AHA) state that a person is considered having high blood pressure if the blood pressure is 130/80mmHg. Find out more at:

https://www.howtopreventheartdisease.com/what-is-the-implication-of-new-blood-pressure-guidelines.html

Heart Disease Prevention - What Is the Link Between Heart Disease And Sleep?

Poor sleep can affect the heart, but heart disease can disturb sleep, too. Inflammation may probably be the one factor to link these together. Occasionally heart disease may cause poor sleep.  Find out more at:

https://www.howtopreventheartdisease.com/what-is-the-link-between-heart-disease-and-sleep.html

Heart Disease Prevention - Can Allergy Drug Worsen Heart Conditions?

Allergy medications can be obtained over the counter or prescription. But some allergy medications can worsen a heart condition or can be dangerous when mixed with blood pressure drugs and certain heart disease medicines. Find out more at:

https://www.howtopreventheartdisease.com/can-allergy-drug-worsen-heart-conditions.html

Heart Disease Prevention - Is Aortic Aneurysm Dangerous?

Is Aortic Aneurysm Dangerous? According to CDC, aortic aneurysms killed 9,928 people in the United States in 2017. Aortic aneurysm is a balloon-like bulge in the aorta. Exact causes of aneurysms are unclear. But certain factors can contribute to the condition. Find out more at:

https://www.howtopreventheartdisease.com/is-aortic-aneurysm-dangerous.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 - How Does Blood Viscosity Affect Heart Health?

High blood cholesterol and high blood pressure (hypertension) are often regarded as some of the major risk factors that cause heart disease. But blood viscosity (blood thickness) does play an important role in heart health, too. Find out more at:

https://www.howtopreventheartdisease.com/how-does-blood-viscosity-affect-heart-health.html

Heart Disease Prevention - Role of Garlic In Heart Disease Prevention!

Taking garlic regularly may help prevent many chronic health conditions. Some studies had indicated that garlic supplements help prevent and reduce the severity of common illnesses like the flu and common cold. Research show that it helps lower cholesterol naturally and simultaneously acts as a blood thinner. Find out more at:

https://www.howtopreventheartdisease.com/role-of-garlic-in-heart-disease-prevention.html

Heart Disease Prevention - How Does Sauna Link To Heart Health?

Besides being able to help relax and lessen stress levels, a sauna may also have other health benefits. For instance, increased circulation help reduce muscle soreness, improve joint movement, and ease arthritis pain. Relaxing in a hot sauna may affect the heart and blood vessels in a way similar to moderate exercise that may lower the risk of heart disease. Click the following link to find out more:

https://www.howtopreventheartdisease.com/how-does-sauna-link-to-heart-health.html

Heart Disease Prevention -How Is Vitamin D Related To Hypertension and Heart Disease?

Getting sufficient Vitamin D is paramount because it is an important nutrient that handles several of the body’s metabolic actions. Since the mid-1980s, a growing number of researches has suggested that Vitamin D may play a role in blood pressure regulation and heart health. Click the following link to find out more:

https://www.howtopreventheartdisease.com/how-is-vitamin-d-related-to-hypertension-and-heart-disease.html

Why Keeping Healthy Weight Is Important For Hypertension Prevention?

Hypertension or high blood pressure is a risk factor for a number of chronic diseases including heart disease, stroke, diabetes and kidney disease. So if one can keep his or her blood pressure in check, the risk of getting these diseases can be minimized.

At the AHA (American Heart Association) meeting on September 14, 2017, a new research paper was presented indicating that healthy weight (measured as a body mass index less than 25 kg/m2) maintained throughout life  is important to help keep blood pressure in check, and it is more so than 4 other health behaviors studied! The other 4 behaviors are: never smoking; up to 7 alcoholic drinks weekly for women and up to 14 for men; 150 minutes or more moderate to vigorous physical activity per week and eating a healthy diet, based on adhering to the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) eating plan.

4,630 participants of the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults Study were assessed for the study. They were 18 to 30 years old in 1985 and 1986 at the onset of the study. During the 25-year follow-up, researchers measured blood pressure and health behaviors 8 times, until participants were in middle age. They found participants who maintained a healthy body weight were more likely to have normal blood pressure as they grew older. They were 41 percent less likely to have an increasing blood pressure as they aged.

Maintaining physical activity or eating a healthy diet were not associated with changes in blood pressure during the 25-year period. Never smoking and maintaining no or moderate alcohol consumption were associated with less of an increase in blood pressure by middle age. However, people in the study who maintained at least 4 health behaviors were 27 percent more likely to have a normal blood pressure from early adulthood through middle age. But the researchers said that a larger study is required to confirm these because they may have been a chance finding.

Weight may contribute to high blood pressure in a number of ways, according to health experts. When one gains weight, the heart has to work harder because the weight has a compressive effect on the blood pressure. As one ages, the blood vessels stiffens and this may produce cardiac problems. For people who do not gain weight, the stiffening will be less, and keeps blood pressure lower. This may prevent more serious outcomes.

Undoubtedly, the findings provide evidence that having a normal body weight is very important in maintaining a normal blood pressure from early and into middle adulthood. While the other 4 behaviors were not as closely related to changes in blood pressure over time, they may still play an paramount role since they can help in weight management.

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

Can Vision Be Affected By Hypertension?

Hypertension or high blood pressure is not only a common risk factor for heart disease, stroke and kidney disease but also capable of causing eye disease. Hypertension can damage the blood vessels in the retina, which is the area at the back of the eye where images focus. This can limit the retina’s function and put pressure on the optic nerve, thus causing vision problems. The condition is known as hypertensive retinopathy (HR) that can lead to blurred vision or the complete loss of sight. People with hypertension and diabetes are at an even greater risk for developing this condition.

Most people with HR do not have symptoms. It is usually discovered during a routine eye examination or until the condition has progressed extensively. Some possible signs and symptoms may include eye swelling, reduced vision, double vision accompanied by headaches, or vision loss.

The extent and severity of the retinopathy is generally represented on a scale of 1 to 4. In Grade 1, there is a mild narrowing of the retinal artery. Grade 2 is similar to Grade 1, but there is more severe or tighter constrictions of the retinal artery. This phenomenon is known as arteriovenous (AV) nipping. In additional to all the signs of Grade 2, Grade 3 also has retinal edema, microaneurysms, cotton-wool spots (fluffy white lesions on the retina), and retinal hemorrhages (bleeding). Grade 4 has severe signs of Grade 3 along with optic disc swelling called papilledema and macular edema. People with Grade 4 retinopathy have a higher risk for stroke and may have kidney or heart disease.

Patients with HR on the lower end of the scale may not have any symptoms, but for those on Grade 4, their optic nerve may begin to swell and cause more serious vision problems. High-grade retinopathy (Grade 3 and 4) tends to indicate serious blood pressure concerns and is associated with higher rates of stroke, heart attack, congestive heart failure and even death.

A study released in 2013 in journal ‘Hypertension’ reported that HR predicts the long-term risk of stroke, independent of blood pressure, even in treated patients with hypertension with good hypertension control. Another paper published in July 2008 in ‘Journal of vascular and interventional neurology’ suggested the presence of hypertensive retinal vascular changes is linked to higher risk of cardiovascular disease (heart disease and stroke).

Controlling and lowering hypertension with a combination of lifestyle changes and medications are the key for an effective treatment for HR. Lifestyle changes include adopting healthy diet, getting regular physical activity, and reducing salt intake. Smokers should kick the habit and those who are overweight should lose weight. Medications must be taken as prescribed by doctors. Last but not least, patients should go for regular medical examinations to ensure that their blood pressure readings are normal.

Heart Disease Prevention - How Is White Coat Hypertension Linked To Heart Disease?

Although white coat hypertension was traditionally considered a transient and largely harmless, recent research suggests that this may not be the case. Some doctors suspect white coat hypertension could be a warning sign of real hypertension. There were studies linked white coat hypertension to an increased risk of stroke, heart attack, heart failure and other cardiovascular conditions, as well as death from heart disease. Find out more at:

https://howtopreventheartdisease.com/how-Is-white-coat-hypertension-linked-to-heart-disease.html

Blood Pressure Swing Can Be Bad For Heart!

Any healthy adults who are not using any hypertensive medications is said to have high blood pressure if 3 to 6 elevated blood pressure measurements are recorded over several months. If the 2 pressures (systolic vs diastolic) fall in different categories, the higher one is used to determine the severity of hypertension. For instance, the normal blood pressure is 120/80 mmHg. So if one has a reading of 130/80 or 120/90 mmHg, he or she is still considered as having high blood pressure. This is the standard definition of high blood pressure, determined by the Joint National Committee (JNC) on Detection, Evaluation, and Diagnosis of High Blood Pressure.

High blood pressure or hypertension is a risk factor for many diseases including heart disease, heart failure, stroke and kidney failure. While sustained high blood pressure is not desirable, big swings in blood pressure may be equally bad for the health, warned by a recent study.

Researchers from the Intermountain Medical Center Heart Institute in Salt Lake City tracked and reviewed medical records of 10,903 patients. They found that those patients whose systolic blood pressure varied by as much as 30 or 40 points between doctor visits were more likely to die over 5 years of follow-up than those with less extreme variances in their blood pressure. Results of the study was reported at the 2017 American Heart Association Scientific Sessions in Anaheim, CA, on November 13.

Fluctuations in blood pressure may, in fact, raise the risk of heart attack, stroke, heart failure, kidney disease or failure, vision loss, sexual dysfunction and peripheral artery disease. An earlier finding published online July 27, 2015 in ‘Annals of Internal Medicine’ suggested that people with wide variations in systolic blood pressure readings were linked to a higher risk of heart attack, fatal heart failure and stroke. Researchers analysed data from a major trial involving the use of medicines to fight high blood pressure and high cholesterol for nearly 26,000 patients.

Compared to patients whose blood pressure remained stable, an average blood pressure variation of about 15 mmHg was found to link to a 30 percent raised risk of heart attack or fatal heart disease, and a 46 percent raised risk of stroke. The risk for death from any cause was increased by 58 percent, too.

In another study published August 9, 2016 in journal ‘BMJ’ indicated that long term variability in blood pressure might put a person at the same risk for cardiac problems and mortality outcomes as high cholesterol.

White coat hypertension (blood pressure is higher at the doctor's office often because the patient is anxious about the appointment), medications, emotional upset, anxiety, and stress, temperature, as well as street drugs are some of the possible factors that can cause fluctuations in blood pressure.

To manage blood pressure fluctuations, one should see a doctor to determine the underlying cause. The doctor will review the medical history, get to know the patient’s lifestyle and perform some tests. Sometimes, medications can be prescribed to stablize the blood pressure and to prevent dangerous swings in blood pressure. Meanwhile, patient may have to make some lifestyle changes, for instance, stop smoking, eat more fruits, engage regular exercise, limit alcohol consumption, find ways to reduce stress, consume less sodium (salt), and lower caffeine intake.

Heart Disease Prevention - Can Taking Probiotics Prevent Heart Disease?

Research also indicated that taking probiotics regularly may help lower blood pressure, cholesterol and keep the lipid levels healthy. High blood pressure, high cholesterol and high blood triglycerides are all risk factors for heart disease. Good management of these risk factors can reduce the risk of heart disease. Click the following link for more details:

Heart Disease Prevention - Can Taking Probiotics Prevent Heart Disease?

Can Meditation Help Cut Heart Disease Risk?

Being a 7000-year-old practice, meditation is a technique used to achieve a mentally clear and emotionally calm state by focusing the mind on a particular object, thought or activity. Meditation may be employed to reduce stress, anxiety, depression, and pain, and increase peace, perception and wellbeing. Stress is a risk factor for heart disease. 

Research on meditation and cardiovascular health is limited, but some studies did suggest that meditation may boost the defense against heart disease. In fact, there is some evidence that meditation may speed up activity in the parasympathetic nervous system, which is involved in lowering blood pressure and heart rate during periods of relaxation.

According to a scientific statement from the American Heart Association (AHA) published September 28, 2017 in the ‘Journal of the American Heart Association’, the studies on meditation suggest a possible benefit of meditation on heart disease risk reduction.

The attention was focused on the effects of various sitting meditation practices, including mindful meditation, Samatha, Zen meditation, and transcendental meditation, and excluding combined mind-body practices like yoga and Tai Chi. This is because the physical activity involved in such practices has already been shown to benefit heart disease risk.

In their review of previously published studies, researchers found that meditation is associated with reduced stress, anxiety, and depression and improved sleep quality and general wellbeing. The researchers also reported that meditation may also help to lower high blood pressure, help people who smoke quit, and may help lower heart attack risk. 

One of the studies being reviewed involved 201 people with coronary artery disease participated in either a transcendental meditation program or a health education program. Transcendental meditation is a type of meditation that involves sitting with the eyes closed and repeating a mantra. After about 5 years, mortality and the number of heart attacks or strokes was significantly lower in those in the meditation group.

While the findings suggested that meditation has a possible benefit on cardiovascular risk, researchers emphasize that more high-quality, large-scale clinical trials is needed before any conclusions can be made.

Nevertheless, as stated by the researchers, meditation may be a low-cost, low-risk practice that can be used together with conventional strategies like diet, exercise, and other lifestyle modifications.

Generally, other health experts not involving in the study agree that meditation may help lower the risk of heart disease by countering the impact of stress on the body. When people are under stress, their fight or flight response can be triggered, leading to a release of stress hormones and spikes in blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen consumption and a release of inflammatory chemicals in the body. Meditation can trigger the opposite of a fight or flight response, encouraging the body to slow down and improving risk factors for heart disease like metabolic problems or inflammation.

Getting Blood Pressure Reading On A Smartphone?

Hypertension, or more commonly known as high blood pressure, is a growing worldwide problem. 45 percent of people in developed nations and 55 percent of people in developing nations have hypertension and do not even know it. Without appropriate control, hypertension can ultimately lead to heart disease, stroke and chronic kidney disease.

People with hypertension may not have any symptoms at all. So, the first step is to regularly check the blood pressure using sphygmomanometer or blood pressure monitor. The monitor can be manual or digital, battery-powered. The size of blood pressure monitor has been reduced since it was first made but they are still not small enough for users to carry around.

Good news is that, one can soon use a finger to touch a smartphone case to have instant and accurate blood pressure readings. Researchers from Michigan State University, University of Maryland, and Chonnam National University, Korea revealed in March 7, 2018 issue of ‘Science Translational Medicine’ that they developed a sensor that turns a smartphone into a device capable of checking a person’s blood pressure. Smartphones are very common nowadays, with 2.5-hour daily usage by average adult. The researcher argue that people are more apt to use a blood pressure monitor if it is embedded in a smartphone device.

According to researchers, they invented a special phone case, using high-tech 3-D printing, that contains an embedded optical sensor on top of a force sensor. The optical sensor is photoplethysmography (PPG), which is an inexpensive optical tool that measures blood volume changes, and the force sensor is a thin-filmed force transducer that measures applied pressure. PPG has already been used to measure heart rate. Some fitness trackers and even the Samsung Galaxy are equipped with PPG heart rate monitors.

When a user presses a finger onto the sensor, it provides measurable pressure on an artery in the finger in the same way that a blood pressure cuff squeezes an artery in the arm. That information is then fed to a smartphone app to convert the data to a real-time blood pressure reading, displayed on the phone. The usability of the device was tested on 30 people and found that about 90 percent could position their finger correctly and get consistent readings after only 1 or 2 attempts.

The new device could indeed help improve rates of blood pressure measurement, and lead to better blood pressure control so as to reduce the incidence of strokes and heart attacks. But as any other medical devices, more rigorous testing must be done before it can become standard and make available to the public for use.

Heart Disease Prevention - Will Workplace Noise Cause Heart Disease?

A recent study by the U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) stressed that reducing workplace noise levels can not only prevent hearing loss but also have impact on blood pressure and cholesterol. Click the following link to find out more:

Heart Disease Prevention - Will Workplace Noise Cause Heart Disease?