Heart Disease - Are You a Ticking Time Bomb?
Coronary Artery Disease - The number one heart disease and the main cause for the deaths of 13 million Americans. This disease occurs when a blockage of coronary arteries prevents the flow of blood to the heart.
Irregular Heart Rhythm (Arrhythmia) - Occurs when the heart beats irregularly. Arrhythmias can be caused by a number of factors, including an electrolyte imbalance (sodium and potassium) or can happen after a heart attack.
Heart Valve Disease - This type of heart disease occurs when the heart valves cease to work properly. The disease could be congenital (acquired before birth) or could have developed over a period of time from another disease, including Rheumatic Fever and Endocarditis.
Some of the risk factors for heart disease can't be pre-treated. For example, if you're over the age of 65 years or have a history of high cholesterol even though you maintain a healthy diet, watch your weight and exercise.
You may be at risk for heart disease if you have a high cholesterol count, have a family history of heart disease, if you're a male at any age or a female after menopause, have high blood pressure, are obese or a smoker. While these are all high risk factors, everyone needs to assess their risk for a heart attack by requesting a thorough checkup by a health care provider. Be sure to ask about aspirin therapy if you have a high risk for heart disease.
Severe Coronary Heart Disease
Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease: The Revolutionary, Scientifically Proven, Nutrition-Based Cure
Amazon Price: $10.85 (as of 12/07/2009)![]()
List Price: $15.95
"Dr. Esselstyn's brand new book, Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease, delivers just what the title promises. 21 years ago, Dr. Esselstyn took 17 people who were very sick. They had had heart attacks, bypass operations, angioplasty, pills, you name it. These people had by and large been sent home to die by their cardiologists, their heart disease so severe nothing further could be done. Doctors told several they would be dead in "less than a year."
But they didn't die. Instead, each agreed to become part of Dr. Esselstyn's study, and adopted a low-fat plant-based diet as their medicine. 12 years later every one of these patients was alive, free of heart disease, and living full, active lives. Even those originally given a death sentence of "one year to live" are alive today 21 years later; and all thank Dr. Esselstyn for giving them knowledge, inspiration -- and recipes -- to save their lives. Their experiences as well as the many in his ongoing counseling, are documented in this amazing, highly readable book and backed up by 20 years of rock hard, peer reviewed science.
This is not a book just for people with heart disease (one out of every two Americans will die of heart disease). This is a book for anyone wanting to regain or preserve their health, anyone wanting to enjoy great health throughout their entire life.
The infomation in Dr. Esselstyn's book can save your life, and the recipes alone make it a must-have."
Release Date: 12/31/1969
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Important Risk Factors for Heart Disease
There are many factors that increase your risk for heart disease. The American Heart Association has identified those that you may be able to prevent or treat and also those that you have no control over. Here are a few risk factors and what you can or can't do about them:Congenital Heart Disease - You may be born with this disease and diagnosed at birth or later. Some of these problems can be treated with surgery, others disappear over time and some require constant medical treatment.
Heredity - If your parents have heart disease, you have much more chance of developing it. Some factors include race and a propensity for obesity or high blood pressure.
Age - As you age, heart disease becomes more prevalent. An interesting caveat is that women over 65 are more likely to die from a heart attack than men over 65.
Tobacco Use - If you smoke cigarettes, you're two to four times more likely of developing a coronary disease. Exposure to second hand smoke is also a risk factor.
Lack of Physical Activity - Couch potatoes beware! You have a greater chance of heart disease than those who engage in moderate to highly energetic exercise at least three times per week.
High Blood Pressure - You're at risk for stroke and/or heart disease if you have chronic high blood pressure. The good news is that high blood pressure can be controlled.
Many other factors can contribute to your risk for heart disease. Your doctor can provide the necessary information for you to assess your risk.
Turn Back the Clock on Heart Disease!
Reverse Heart Disease Now: Stop Deadly Cardiovascular Plaque Before It's Too Late
Amazon Price: $9.72 (as of 12/07/2009)![]()
List Price: $14.95
"It's too bad this book won't be read by every primary care physician and every cardiologist and every patient with heart disease, but it should be. The collaboration of two leading edge cardiologists has resulted in a book full of the latest approaches to managing plaques and heart disease. This book moves beyond Dr. Sinatra's first classic, The Sinatra Solution, and focuses on the problem of plaque build-up in your arteries. The latest theory of inflammation as the cause of hardening of the arteries, as well as many other chronic illnesses is addressed here with dietary changes, supplements, and medications. For example, when to use statins alongside the natural supplements for reducing cholesterol and other risk factors for plaque formation is clearly discussed. It's wonderful to read what these two doctors do for their patients outside the box set by the FDA in defining the indications for prescription medications. From my own experience their approaches do work for many people. I will be recommending this book to many patients and featuring it on my website.
Bob Sager, MD, DABFM "
Release Date: 12/31/1969
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Are You Experiencing Symptoms of Heart Disease?
Every type of heart disease has its own symptoms and the severity of the disease depends on the type of symptoms you're experiencing. You may have heart disease if you experience the symptoms shown below:Myocardial Infarction (Heart Attack) - Classic symptoms of an impending heart attack include rapid heartbeats, shortness of breath, pain or pressure that travels to your back, arm or throat.
Valve Disease - You may experience shortness of breath, weakness or heart palpitations.
Coronary Artery Disease - Angina is a symptom of this heart disease and is characterized by shortness of breath and pressure or other discomfort in the chest. It may also be felt in your arms, neck or back.
Abnormal Heart Rhythm (Arrhythmias) - With arrhythmias you may experience heart palpitations (skipped beats) a dizzy or fainting spell or shortness of breath.
Pericarditis - Characterized by a sharp chest pain that radiates to the arms and back. The symptoms may become more acute when you lie down. You may also run a fever or experience Arrhythmias.
Heart Failure - Often indicative of a severely damaged or weak heart. You could experience shortness of breath or a cough that produces white mucus - or swelling in your legs or abdomen.
Congenital Heart Disease - Your physician may detect a murmur during an exam or observe it on a chest X-ray or EKG. Other symptoms include difficulty in breathing, especially when exercising.
Many types of heart disease involve the same symptoms, so it's vital that you see a health care professional to receive the correct diagnosis and treatment.
Reducing Your Risk for Heart Disease
Small daily changes in your diet, stress quotient and exercising can greatly reduce your risk for heart disease. You know that obesity and diabetes can put you at risk, but there may be little things you can do that will also help. For example:Baby Aspirin - One baby aspirin per day greatly reduces your chances for heart disease - especially if you're at high risk.
High Fiber in Your Diet - Increasing your fiber intake to 25 grams per day will decrease the likelihood of developing heart disease. Simply add an ounce of flaxseed to your breakfast cereal or sprinkle a tablespoon of flaxseed oil on your salad. Beans and some nuts are also high in fiber and essential vitamins.
Ginger and Turmeric - Use them often when you cook. They reduce inflammation - one of the main causes of heart disease.
Vitamin Supplements - Studies show that vitamin E may help to reduce heart disease. Multivitamins also lower levels of an inflammation-causing protein.
Dark Chocolate - Dark chocolate contains flavonoid, a chemical that helps your arteries remain elastic, and also prevents the oxidization of bad (LDL) cholesterol which causes plaque.
Plenty of Sleep - If you get less than seven hours of sleep per night, you're at higher risk for heart disease.
Modern medicine has reduced the chances of dying of a heart attack, but none of us want to endure bypass surgery or take a ton of medications to prevent our hearts from malfunctioning. Prevention techniques as those above can help us enjoy life and lower our risk for heart disease.
by Shelleyz
Hi I'm Michele,
Im a mother of three with many interests, my main interest being feng shui, I am a Feng Shui consultant practising in Perth, Western...
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