High Cholesterol
High cholesterol is the presence of high cholesterol in the blood. It?s not a disease but a metabolic disorder secondary to many diseases. It contributes coronary heart disease, hypertension, and stroke.
Heart disease in women
The women are more prone for heart diseases because the arteries in them are narrower than in men.
Good and bad cholesterol
Cholesterol is a soft, fat like, waxy substance found in the blood stream and in all body's cells. Cholesterol is an important part of a healthy body. Hypercholesterolemia is the medical term for high levels of blood cholesterol
Diet for high cholesterol
Hyper cholesterolemia in the blood is a risk factor for future heart disease and the vascular disease too. One who has increased cholesterol in blood had increased chances of developing of Diabetes and the Metabolic syndrome. There are certain precautions to be followed as part of their diet.
Diet in high cholesterol
Diet rich in fatty foods, junk foods and oily foods are the major risk factors for high cholesterol levels. So a good control on diet will reduce the complications like diabetes, hypertension, stroke and coronary artery disease. Exercise with diet are the primary line of management with
Risk factors for heart disease
Risk factors are classified as modifiable and non modifiable risk factors. Knowing the risk factors for heart disease could reduce the chance of heart attacks.
Best cholesterol lowering foods
Consuming certain foods has been proven to help lower cholesterol levels, thus helping you to avoid cholesterol medications or take a lower dose of medicines. Olive oil is good for you, not only because it does not raise your ?bad cholesterol? (LDL), but also because it actually lowers it without bringing down your ?good cholesterol? (HDL). Walnuts are a rich source of polyunsaturated fatty acids that keep your arteries healthy and supple. In scientific studies, regular walnut consumption was seen to significantly reduce blood cholesterol. Omega-3 fatty acids are good for your health in more ways than one. And their benefits include lowering blood cholesterol.
Prevention of heart disease
Heart disease is the one of the leading cause of death in men and women. The modifiable risk factors are the key in preventing heart disease. Avoid heart problems in the future by adopting a healthy lifestyle today.
Coronary heart disease
Coronary artery disease (atherosclerotic heart disease) is due to accumulation of atheromatous plaques in the coronary vessel walls. Coronary arteries are the major blood vessels that supply the heart with blood, oxygen and nutrients. Fatty streaks or plaques will narrow the coronary arteries and reduce the blood flow to the heart. Because coronary artery disease often develops over decades, it can go virtually unnoticed until it produces a heart attack.
Blood tests for heart disease
Among the blood tests cardiac enzymes are more diagnostic and prognostic value. The Troponin I and T are the cardiac troponins has greater sensitivity and specificity. Patients suspected with myocardial infarct needs serial monitoring of cardiac enzyme levels.
Diagnosis of heart attacks
ECG is the most important tool in initial evaluation of myocardial infarct. The most specific and sensitive cardiac enzyme is troponin T and. 2D- echo gives more information on left and right ventricular functional status. Coronary angiography is the investigation of choice in the patients with myocardial infarction.
Medications used in heart attack
The main way to prevent progressive damage is to restore blood flow quickly. Antithrombotic agents are initial treatment of choice and need to be given as soon as possible. It reduces the morbidity and mortality rates. Thrombolytic therapy is highly effective if given with in 30 min to 1 hr.
Screening of heart disease
In many patients, the first symptom of coronary artery disease is heart attack or sudden death, with no preceding chest pain as a warning. Screening tests are of particular importance for patients with risk factors for coronary heart disease. The gold standard for coronary artery disease is coronary angiogram, used to identify the exact location of disease, anatomical details and the severity of disease.
The Facts on Fats
Fats are compounds which are solubel in solvents and insoluble in water.
Abdominal fat or belly fat in men
People who gain belly fat are at greater risk of serious health problems than are people who accumulate fat in other areas and men are more likely than women to gain weight around the waist. The genes can affect the chances of being overweight or obese, as well as where you carry extra fat on your body. For most men, however, the problem likely has more to do with lifestyle than inherited traits.
Aerobic exercises
Aerobic exercise is any rhythmic activity that uses large muscle groups and makes your heart and lungs work harder than at rest. Choose an aerobic activity that you enjoy and move your way to a healthier life.
Cholesterol Management
The triad in the management of high cholesterol is dietary life styles, exercise, and medications. Several diseases and drugs can cause high cholesterol, but for most people, a high-fat diet, obesity, a sedentary lifestyle, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, or inherited risk factors are the main causes.
Atherosclerosis
Atherosclerosis is a condition in which the arterial wall thickens due to deposition of the fatty material like cholesterol. Atherosclerosis mainly affects the arteries.
Antioxidants
Antioxidants are substances that may protect your cells against the effects of free radicals. Free radicals are molecules produced when your body breaks down food, or by environmental exposures like tobacco smoke and radiation. Free radicals can damage cells, and may play a role in heart disease, cancer and other diseases.