Stretching Flexibility And Balance
What they do: Flexibility workouts, such as stretching, dont directly contribute to heart health. What they do is benefit musculoskeletal health, which enables you to stay flexible and free from joint pain, cramping and other muscular issues. That flexibility is a critical part of being able to maintain aerobic exercise and resistance training, says Stewart.
If you have a good musculoskeletal foundation, that enables you to do the exercises that help your heart, he says. As a bonus, flexibility and balance exercises help maintain stability and prevent falls, which can cause injuries that limit other kinds of exercise.
How much: Every day and before and after other exercise.
Examples: Your doctor can recommend basic stretches you can do at home, or you can find DVDs or YouTube videos to follow . Tai chi and yoga also improve these skills, and classes are available in many communities.
Kidney Damage And Disease
Kidney damage and disease are some of the most frequent complications of type 2 diabetes, and kidney damage often begins in patients with prediabetes. In the early stages, the small blood vessels of the kidneys are damaged, and this means the kidneys cannot clean the blood as effectively as they should. Patients may start to retain both fluid and salt instead of excreting it, and this can cause swelling in the ankles and protein in the urine. Patients might also gain weight or develop high blood pressure .
One of the first indications of potential kidney disease caused by prediabetes or diabetes is an increased level of albumin in the urine. Patients at risk for kidney issues are advised to have their albumin levels checked annually, and doctors also use creatinine and blood urea nitrogen tests to monitor kidney function. As kidney disease progresses, patients may notice weakness, leg cramps, nausea, vomiting, and morning sickness. Some patients may develop anemia, and they may need lower doses of insulin and other medications used to treat diabetes.
Psck9 Inhibitors Can Lower Your Ldl Cholesterol: A Lot
PSCK9 inhibitors may be a good choice for people with an inherited form of high cholesterol. These new drugs can lower dangerous LDL levels by half or more. The drugs costs are high, but the health care industry is working with manufacturers and pharmacists to bring the price down and make PSCK9 inhibitors available to more people.
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Did You Know That Red Wine Is Not Good For You
Australias Heart Foundation advises against the consumption of red wine, and other types of alcoholic beverages, to prevent or treat cardiovascular disease.32
The World Health Organisation strengthens this, by recommending eating a healthier diet and being physically active would be more effective in reducing the death from ischemic heart disease than by drinking a low dose of alcohol. 34
The facts and figures.
In 2014, alcohol-related stroke hospitalisation in Western Australia cost 1.2 million.35
It is estimated that 1 person per month died from alcohol-related stroke in Western Australia.36
In 2014 the estimated number of alcohol-related stroke hospitalisations was 59.37
Things That Can Affect Your Heart And What To Do About Them
Please note: This article was published more than two years ago, so some information may be outdated. If you have questions about your health, always contact a health care professional.
Debby Schrecengast’s blood pressure was “through the roof.” She had gained a lot weight. A history of heart disease ran deep in her immediate family.
When she looks back at herself in 2014, the year she suffered a stroke, she sees a “stubborn old donkey” in denial about her health.
“I had let my blood pressure go uncontrolled and I remained overweight for so long,” said Schrecengast, 56. “There’s some damage that I can’t undo. Now, I try to keep it from getting worse.”
Schrecengast, who lives in LaFargeville, New York, eased back into an exercise routine at her local YMCA. She took nutrition classes and spent evenings swapping healthy recipes.
Since then, she’s dropped 30 pounds and has run a half-marathon. She no longer needs blood pressure medicine.
Stroke survivor Debby Schrecengast made changes to improve her heart health.
“I know now I have to be diligent,” she said. “This really isn’t, ‘I have to be good for six months or I have to be good for a year.’ I have to be good forever.”
Genetics can play a role in cardiovascular health, but so can lifestyle changes. Here are eight factors than can affect the heart and what to do about them:
1. Cholesterol
2. Resting heart rate
What to do: Check your heart rate at rest, preferably first thing in the morning, before getting out of bed.
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What To Do If You Have An Arrhythmia
If symptoms of arrhythmia persist or you have a history of sudden unexplained death in your family, do see a doctor. Your doctor may monitor your heartbeat using devices like a Holter monitor or event monitor or ask for an electrocardiogram, a test that measures your hearts electrical activity. Depending on the diagnosis, medication, surgery to remove heart tissue causing the arrhythmia, or implantation of a pacemaker may be recommended.
Lifestyle changes like stopping smoking, limiting the consumption of caffeine or alcohol, lowering stress, increasing physical activity , and maintaining a healthy weight can also be helpful as they can impact underlying medical conditions as well as target arrhythmias directly.22
References
High Cholesterol Diabetes And High Blood Pressure
Its hard to talk about just one risk for heart disease, because risk factors like high cholesterol, diabetes, and high blood pressure are all intricately connected. Each affects the others, and each is a risk factor for the others. All of these conditions increase your risk for heart disease, and when they occur together, the risk is much higher. Heres how high cholesterol is related to diabetes and high blood pressure.
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What Causes Pulmonary Hypertension
The following are some known causes of pulmonary hypertension:
- The diet drug fen-phen. Although the appetite suppressant fen-phen has been taken off the market, former fen-phen users have a 23-fold increase risk of developing pulmonary hypertension, possibly years later.
- Liver diseases, rheumatic disorders, lung conditions. Pulmonary hypertension also can occur as a result of other medical conditions, such as chronic liver disease and liver cirrhosis rheumatic disorders such as scleroderma or systemic lupus erythematosus and lung conditions, including tumors, emphysema, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease , and pulmonary fibrosis.
- Certain heart diseases. Heart diseases, including aortic valve disease, left heart failure, mitral valve disease, and congenital heart disease, can also cause pulmonary hypertension.
- Thromboembolic disease. A blood clot in a large pulmonary artery can result in the development of pulmonary hypertension.
- Low-oxygen conditions. High altitude living, obesity, and sleep apnea can also lead to the development of pulmonary hypertension.
- Genetics. Pulmonary hypertension is inherited in a small number of cases. Knowing that someone in the family had or has pulmonary hypertension should prompt you to seek early evaluation should symptoms occur.
Pulmonary hypertension may also be caused by other conditions, and in some cases, the cause is unknown.
How Can I Lower My Cholesterol
Talk with your healthcare provider about the best way to lower your cholesterol. Some people only need some simple lifestyle changes like eating less saturated fat. Others need lifestyle changes plus medication. People with medical conditions that affect their cholesterol may need a more complex approach. Talk with your provider about your medical history, family history and lifestyle factors. Together, youll come up with a plan for lowering your cholesterol numbers.
Remember that even the best plans take time to work. And we all have setbacks. Its OK to struggle, and its also OK to tell your provider when a plan isnt working. Sometimes even the strictest lifestyle changes dont lower your cholesterol numbers enough. Thats because most of your bodys cholesterol is produced by your liver. So, many other factors come into play that are out of your control and have nothing to do with whats on your dinner plate.
Take things one step at a time, and remember that having high cholesterol isnt a personal failure. Its a result of many small changes quietly happening inside your body. Take control of what you can, but know that medications and other medical interventions are there to fill in the gaps.
A note from Cleveland Clinic
Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 05/24/2022.
References
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How Are Palpitations Diagnosed
Keep track of your palpitations. Note when they happen, how long they last, how you feel and what you are doing when they start. Bring this log to your appointment.
Your doctor will review this information along with your medical history, symptoms, diet and the medications and herbal products you may take. Your doctor will also listen to your heart and lungs.
You may need tests, such as blood and urine tests, electrocardiogram , stress test, chest X-ray and echocardiogram . You may need to wear a monitor after you go home so your doctor can get more information about your heart and symptoms.
Other tests to check for a heart problem include an electrophysiology study and cardiac catheterization. You may also need to see an ++electrophysiologist++ a doctor that specializes in abnormal heart rhythms.
Alcohol And Cardiovascular Disease Risk
Alcohol is not a necessary or recommended part of a heart-healthy eating pattern and drinking alcohol can increase the risk of a heart attack and stroke.
If you dont drink alcohol, dont start. If you do drink alcohol, the Heart Foundation recommends following the National Health and Medical Research Councils recommended levels of alcohol consumption:
Healthy men and women should drink no more than 10 standard drinks per week and no more than four standard drinks on any one day. Children and young people under 18 years of age should not drink alcohol. To reduce the risk of harm to their unborn child, women who are pregnant or planning a pregnancy should not drink alcohol. For women who are breastfeeding, not drinking alcohol is safest for their baby. For people with heart disease and related conditions or risk factors, the evidence is not strong enough to recommend a safe amount of alcohol consumption for heart health. For some people, the safest option is to not drink alcohol at all.
Speak to your doctor for advice and support to cut down on alcohol.
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High Blood Pressure And Cholesterol
Out of Control
Every 39 seconds an adult dies from heart attack, stroke or other cardiovascular disease.
1 in 2
Nearly 68 million people have high blood pressure but about 1 in 2 doesnt have it under control.
2 in 3
71 million US adults have high cholesterol but 2 in 3 dont have it under control.
Heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular diseases are among the leading cause of death and now kill more than 800,000 adults in the US each year. Of these, 150,000 are younger than age 65. These diseases are also two of the leading causes of health disparities in the US. Treatment of these diseases accounts for 1 in every 6 US health dollars spent. Two main reasons people have heart disease or stroke are high blood pressure* and cholesterol, which are common, deadly, and preventable. Nearly 2 out of 3 adults with high cholesterol and about half of adults with high blood pressure dont have their condition yet under control. Clearly, other steps are needed to gain control of these health risks.
* High blood pressure means at least 140/90 mmHg. High cholesterol in this report means high LDL cholesterol.
Improved care could save more than 100,000 lives a year.
Why is control difficult to achieve?
Salt Level Can Vary in Common Food Items
Current guidelines for sodium intake for adults are less than 2,300 mg of sodium per day at most and 1,500 mg for adults at high risk.
Overweight/obesity And Cardiovascular Disease Risk
Being overweight or obese increases the risk of having a heart attack and stroke, along with other health problems including:
- sleep problems, such as sleep apnoea
- certain types of cancer.
Carrying extra weight around your tummy is also a risk factor for heart disease. Speak to your health professional for support to achieve and maintain a healthy weight.
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Why Foods Cause Heart Palpitations
Feeling palpitations after eating is a relatively common experience, which tends to occur when a substance in your food or drinkor your bodys natural biochemical response to that substancejolts the hearts electrical system and causes fluttering sensations, skipped beats, or a feeling that your heart is beating too hard or too fast.
Coffee drinkers, think about the last time you drank one cup too many. You know what I mean!
If your heart is healthy and you have no history of arrhythmia or heart diseaseand youre not experiencing any other symptomstheres little need to worry about an occasional episode of these irregular beats. For people who do have arrhythmias or cardiac issues, however, its a different story. Palpitations caused by food can cause an existing disruption in your hearts rhythm to escalate, and potentially lead to a major event.
Treatment depends on the underlying cause but options can include:
- medications to stop the heart from enlarging any further
- addressing the underlying problem
- dietary adjustments to reduce blood cholesterol levels
- frequent medical check-ups to make sure the treatments are working.
Magnesium Consumption And Heart Palpitations
Adults typically need to consume between 310 and 420 milligrams of magnesium each day. This nutrient can be found in a variety of fiber-rich, plant-based products. These include foods like legumes, beans, nuts and seeds. You can obtain large amounts of magnesium from foods like seaweed, hemp seeds, flax seeds, Brazil nuts and peanut products.
According to the National Institutes of Health, insufficient amounts of magnesium can result in cardiac problems like abnormal heart rhythms and coronary spasms. Magnesium deficiency also has the potential to cause hypokalemia or hypocalcemia .
Like potassium, large amounts of magnesium can also produce cardiac side effects. Excessive magnesium in your body can result in gastrointestinal issues, low blood pressure, palpitations and even heart attacks. Magnesium toxicity is rare, but when it occurs, it can result in death. Youre more likely to experience magnesium toxicity if youve taken magnesium-containing laxatives or antacids.
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Neck Pain And Headaches
Because high cholesterol leads to the blocking of arteries, theres a good chance that the blood flow to and from your head can be disturbed. The result is a sore neck and sudden headaches on an occasional basis, and you might even deal with some pain in your shoulders as well. A nagging headache in the back is a very good indication of excessive cholesterol levels according to doctors.
Other Products That Cause Palpitations
While certain vitamins and minerals can cause heart palpitations, its much more likely for something else in your diet to be causing this issue. For example, caffeinated products like coffee, tea, chocolate and energy drinks are all common causes of heart palpitations and other cardiac side effects.
If youre not particularly sensitive to caffeine but have experienced palpitations or other similar side effects after consuming energy drinks, your symptoms could be caused by another added ingredient.
An October 2014 study in the journal Trends in Endocrinology and Metabolism reported that common energy drink ingredients, like ginseng and taurine, can affect your cardiovascular health. These arent just energy drink ingredients,though according to a March 2018 study in the International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism, products like these are also taken as supplements to enhance cognitive function.
Despite their benefits, these ingredients have been known to cause increases in blood pressure. You might also experience sensations like your heart racing after eating or drinking them.
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Myth : Its Okay To Have Higher Blood Pressure When Youre Older
Blood pressure tends to rise with age, but the fact that this trend is normal doesnt mean that it is good for you. It happens because artery walls become stiff with age. Stiff arteries force the heart to pump harder. This sets up a vicious cycle. Blood pounding against the artery walls damages them over time. The overworked heart muscle becomes less effective and pumps harder to meet the bodys demands for blood. This further damages the arteries and invites fat into the artery walls. This is how high blood pressure increases the risk of heart attack and stroke.
What you can do: Have your blood pressure checked. If its above 140/90 millimeters of mercury, ask your doctor what you can do to bring it down.
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The Fourth Nail In The Cholesterol Theory Coffin
Those of you who are old enough may remember that for years there was no distinction between good cholesterol and bad cholesterol. All you were told is that you had to eat fake margarine to keep your cholesterol levels down. It was only some time later that researchers discovered that HDL was actually heart protective whereas it was only the LDL that needed to be reduced. From that point on, it was all about maintaining healthy cholesterol ratios between your HDL and LDL. The new guidelines havent changed that assessment theyve only changed what they say makes those LDL levels climb. But there focus on LDL is wrong. As it turns out, focusing on LDL cholesterol as the cause of heart problems is little better than focusing on simple overall cholesterol levels. As it turns out, things are more complex than HDL VS LDL.
So why dont doctors tell you what forms of LDL you have circulating in your blood? Considering that your own personal mix may well determine whether you have the cardiovascular system of an ox or are headed for an imminent heart attack, that would seem to be important. Quite simply: doctors dont tell you because typical LDL tests cant distinguish between large and small LDL particles they cant spot the difference. In other words, since you doctor is ignorant, you remain ignorant.
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