About a year ago we found out that my grandmother has a heart condition. Apparently this is something that has been with her for a very long time, but because she has had a stroke, we were only focusing on one part of her health. As it turned out, she has congestive heart failure. Even though this is not necessarily a fatal diagnosis, it will take years off of her life. There are many people like my grandmother walking around who have no idea that they may have heart problems.
Most of the time those with a heart condition do not know it until they have a heart attack. Though congestive heart failure is not that which you would consider a common heart condition, there are many people who have it who have no idea what is going on. There are many other people, like my grandfather, who have the more common type of heart condition. He was just in the hospital a few weeks ago because one of his arteries was blocked. As it turned out, he had three or four problem areas around his heart that had to be corrected.
As you move through life, one of the last things you want to do is think about aging and dying. However, it is important that you see your doctor and a regular basis to rule out many things. One of those things should be a heart condition. You may not want to think about it, or believe that can happen to you, but developing a heart condition can be a very serious threat to your life. It is far better that you know what is going on so that you can fix the problem. Don’t skip your doctor’s appointments just because you don’t want to know.
Having a heart condition is not the end of the world. There have been many advances in the medical field that allow a person with a heart condition to live a long and healthy life. The best defense against a heart attack is preventing it. If there have been people in your family who have had a heart condition, you have to suspect that this may become a problem for you as well. Make sure you talk to your doctor about all of the serious illnesses that have been in your family, and make sure you get the proper testing done when your doctor recommends it. You may say that you don’t care, but I can assure you that your family wants you around for as long as possible.
Saturday, May 10, 2008
American Heart Association
Nothing prepares you for a serious crisis quite like American Heart Association CPR training. Many individuals take a quick course to get CPR certification through this program each and every year. Certification needs to be renewed every 12 months in order for it to remain valid.
You might wonder why you would have to re-take the same old course on a yearly basis but there is really good reason for the repetitive nature of the program. The American Heart Association CPR certification program helps individuals to learn the steps of proper culinary pulmonary respiration during an emergency.
We all know that putting what we learn in class into action is not always a smooth process. When faced with a crisis, many individuals may lose focus. If the American Heart Association CPR course is fresh in the individual’s mind he will be more likely to follow through with the appropriate steps.
When the information is learned over and over again over a period of years, the individual is better able to run through the steps to CPR without hesitation. The quick response can make the difference between life and death. The American Heart Association CPR courses recognize this and the program requires re-certification.
When I worked with children in the field of autism I had to make sure that my certification was up-to-date every year. Fortunately, I was able to commit an entire day to the training because the American Heart Association CPR courses were offered in the evenings and on weekends as well.
The agency that I worked for helped us schedule a time for the course every year and things ran pretty smoothly with this approach. However, after a decade of taking the American Heart Association CPR course things began to get a little tiresome for most of the staff. Those of us who worked in the field for a long time pretty much knew the course inside and our.
Recognizing that many individuals take the course so many times, the agency started to open an optional test that takes one hour to complete. If you answer at least 98 out of 100 questions correctly and demonstrate the steps to American Heart Association CPR process on a dummy, you could be re-certified in about an hour.
We never want to be in a situation that requires us to actually put CPR to use. However, it is comforting to know that you can administer the techniques if needed.
You might wonder why you would have to re-take the same old course on a yearly basis but there is really good reason for the repetitive nature of the program. The American Heart Association CPR certification program helps individuals to learn the steps of proper culinary pulmonary respiration during an emergency.
We all know that putting what we learn in class into action is not always a smooth process. When faced with a crisis, many individuals may lose focus. If the American Heart Association CPR course is fresh in the individual’s mind he will be more likely to follow through with the appropriate steps.
When the information is learned over and over again over a period of years, the individual is better able to run through the steps to CPR without hesitation. The quick response can make the difference between life and death. The American Heart Association CPR courses recognize this and the program requires re-certification.
When I worked with children in the field of autism I had to make sure that my certification was up-to-date every year. Fortunately, I was able to commit an entire day to the training because the American Heart Association CPR courses were offered in the evenings and on weekends as well.
The agency that I worked for helped us schedule a time for the course every year and things ran pretty smoothly with this approach. However, after a decade of taking the American Heart Association CPR course things began to get a little tiresome for most of the staff. Those of us who worked in the field for a long time pretty much knew the course inside and our.
Recognizing that many individuals take the course so many times, the agency started to open an optional test that takes one hour to complete. If you answer at least 98 out of 100 questions correctly and demonstrate the steps to American Heart Association CPR process on a dummy, you could be re-certified in about an hour.
We never want to be in a situation that requires us to actually put CPR to use. However, it is comforting to know that you can administer the techniques if needed.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Heart Disease Solutions Through Type 2 Diabetes
Research dated April 30, 2007 from the University of Michigan reveals some exciting news about the tart cherry and heart health. What was most interesting about the research was the study was conducted not on the tart cherry fruit itself, but tart cherry powder.
In most cases, to manufacture the powder the entire cherry is used, including the skin and the flesh of the fruit. Cherry powder can also be defined as a cherry neutraceutical.
According to the Foundation of Innovation in Medicine, which created the term "neutraceutical", the definition is:
"any substance that may be considered a food or part of a food that provides health benefits, including the prevention of treatment of disease."
The results from the study were revealed during the Experimental Biology 2007 meeting in Washington D.C.. Although the study was conducted on rats, the results were so promising the University of Michigan indicated they will soon conduct clinical trials on humans.
An Overview of the Cherry Powder Study
Antioxidant-rich cherries may help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome can greatly increase the risk of heart disease, Type 2 diabetes and stroke.
Two test groups of rats were fed whole cherry powder (made from the whole fruit). The cherry powder equated to either 1 percent or 10 percent of their daily diets for a period of 90 days. Another study group had no cherry powder added to their diet. However, the amounts of carbohydrates and calories where kept constant during the study, thus providing baseline.
The results of the study showed that the cherry-enriched diet had experienced additional health benefits when compared to the results of the non-cherry diet group. The researchers found the rats fed very little amounts of tart cherry powder benefited from modest amounts of tart cherry powder. Some of the results included the cherry-enriched diets lowered insulin, triglycerides and total cholesterol levels. These are some of the factors linked to metabolic syndrome. In addition, oxidative damage and increased blood capacity were also shown in the study.
Where to Find Cherry Powder
Tart cherry powder is not the easiest product to find. However, with a little diligence you can also incorporate cherry powder into your diet. One source of 100% natural tart cherry powder is from Fruit Advantage www.fruitadvantage.com The company is America's leading Super Fruit supplement brand. It not only sells tart cherry powder in capsules, but a number of different super fruit supplements and products.
The Fruit Advantage Tart Cherry super fruit supplement delivers 1200mg of tart cherry per serving. This means each daily serving delivers over 3 lbs. of the specific antioxidant benefits of tart cherries in a convenient, easy-to-swallow capsule. In addition, the product is gluten free, kosher and tests free of pesticides, fillers and additives. To learn more or order Fruit Advantage Tart Cherry contact the contact company toll-free at 1-877-746-7477 or visit www.fruitadvantage.com
(1) Cherry-enriched diets reduce metabolic syndrome and oxidative stress in lean Dahl-SS rats. Experimental Biology 2007 225.8, Seymour EM, Singer AAM, Bennink MR, Bolling SF. Presented in minisymposium 225, Dietary Bioactive Compounds: Chronic Disease Risk Reduction.
In most cases, to manufacture the powder the entire cherry is used, including the skin and the flesh of the fruit. Cherry powder can also be defined as a cherry neutraceutical.
According to the Foundation of Innovation in Medicine, which created the term "neutraceutical", the definition is:
"any substance that may be considered a food or part of a food that provides health benefits, including the prevention of treatment of disease."
The results from the study were revealed during the Experimental Biology 2007 meeting in Washington D.C.. Although the study was conducted on rats, the results were so promising the University of Michigan indicated they will soon conduct clinical trials on humans.
An Overview of the Cherry Powder Study
Antioxidant-rich cherries may help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome can greatly increase the risk of heart disease, Type 2 diabetes and stroke.
Two test groups of rats were fed whole cherry powder (made from the whole fruit). The cherry powder equated to either 1 percent or 10 percent of their daily diets for a period of 90 days. Another study group had no cherry powder added to their diet. However, the amounts of carbohydrates and calories where kept constant during the study, thus providing baseline.
The results of the study showed that the cherry-enriched diet had experienced additional health benefits when compared to the results of the non-cherry diet group. The researchers found the rats fed very little amounts of tart cherry powder benefited from modest amounts of tart cherry powder. Some of the results included the cherry-enriched diets lowered insulin, triglycerides and total cholesterol levels. These are some of the factors linked to metabolic syndrome. In addition, oxidative damage and increased blood capacity were also shown in the study.
Where to Find Cherry Powder
Tart cherry powder is not the easiest product to find. However, with a little diligence you can also incorporate cherry powder into your diet. One source of 100% natural tart cherry powder is from Fruit Advantage www.fruitadvantage.com The company is America's leading Super Fruit supplement brand. It not only sells tart cherry powder in capsules, but a number of different super fruit supplements and products.
The Fruit Advantage Tart Cherry super fruit supplement delivers 1200mg of tart cherry per serving. This means each daily serving delivers over 3 lbs. of the specific antioxidant benefits of tart cherries in a convenient, easy-to-swallow capsule. In addition, the product is gluten free, kosher and tests free of pesticides, fillers and additives. To learn more or order Fruit Advantage Tart Cherry contact the contact company toll-free at 1-877-746-7477 or visit www.fruitadvantage.com
(1) Cherry-enriched diets reduce metabolic syndrome and oxidative stress in lean Dahl-SS rats. Experimental Biology 2007 225.8, Seymour EM, Singer AAM, Bennink MR, Bolling SF. Presented in minisymposium 225, Dietary Bioactive Compounds: Chronic Disease Risk Reduction.
Cholesterol Leading To Heart Diseases
LDL refers to a combination of low-density lipoprotein and cholesterol. The liver produces cholesterol to perform a number of important cellular functions, however when our body produces more than we need, our health can seriously suffer. Low-density lipoproteins bind with the cholesterol and carry it throughout the body in the bloodstream. When they bind with too much, we can end up with high bad cholesterol levels. LDL is often referred to as the 'unhealthy' or 'bad' cholesterol because it tends to stick to the walls of our arteries. This can lead to arteriosclerosis cardiovascular disease. The build up on the walls of blood vessels and arteries is also known as plaque.
As the plaque thickens over time, blood flow is reduced and blood pressure is increased, which can lead to a number of potential problems including heart disease. If bits of plaque come away from the walls and begin to flow through the blood vessels they can clot other sections of the narrowed artery. This can cause the onset of a stroke or a heart attack. High cholesterol levels are therefore very significant and need to be taken seriously.
You can lower your levels by eating a balanced, natural diet devoid of processed, trans-fatty, and sugary foods and drinks, and engaging in daily aerobic exercise that is strenuous but not too strenuous. Including fatty fish such as salmon or tuna or omega-3 fatty acid supplements can also help to lower levels. It is also very important to drink an adequate amount of pure water in order to unclog your arteries. Avoid margarine and use only small amounts of butter or no butter at all. If you are purchasing a sandwich and they ask if you want butter, it is important to clarify if they are talking about real butter or margarine. A lot of people do not differentiate between them and use the words interchangeably. Poly-unsaturated vegetable oils should not be used for cooking since they become trans-fats under high heat. Virgin olive oil is the safest choice. Simply by making these simple changes can improve your levels and reduce serious health risks.
Cigarette smoking also raises cholesterol levels in the blood. If you smoke, you will gain limited benefit from exercise and dietary change until you quit smoking. Once you stop smoking, your cholesterol levels will begin to drop, even more so if you eat healthy and exercise daily.
Minimizing negative stress where possible and managing it when necessary are also important aspects of maintaining healthy cholesterol levels. High stress levels have been found to increase 'bad' cholesterol levels whereas being in a calm and positive state of mind can lower them.
High LDL cholesterol does not need to become a health crisis. It is reversible if you are willing to take the steps mentioned here. Keeping those levels down is important for cardiovascular health. By eating right, exercising regularly, minimizing stress and not smoking you will be able to achieve and maintain healthy cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke.
As the plaque thickens over time, blood flow is reduced and blood pressure is increased, which can lead to a number of potential problems including heart disease. If bits of plaque come away from the walls and begin to flow through the blood vessels they can clot other sections of the narrowed artery. This can cause the onset of a stroke or a heart attack. High cholesterol levels are therefore very significant and need to be taken seriously.
You can lower your levels by eating a balanced, natural diet devoid of processed, trans-fatty, and sugary foods and drinks, and engaging in daily aerobic exercise that is strenuous but not too strenuous. Including fatty fish such as salmon or tuna or omega-3 fatty acid supplements can also help to lower levels. It is also very important to drink an adequate amount of pure water in order to unclog your arteries. Avoid margarine and use only small amounts of butter or no butter at all. If you are purchasing a sandwich and they ask if you want butter, it is important to clarify if they are talking about real butter or margarine. A lot of people do not differentiate between them and use the words interchangeably. Poly-unsaturated vegetable oils should not be used for cooking since they become trans-fats under high heat. Virgin olive oil is the safest choice. Simply by making these simple changes can improve your levels and reduce serious health risks.
Cigarette smoking also raises cholesterol levels in the blood. If you smoke, you will gain limited benefit from exercise and dietary change until you quit smoking. Once you stop smoking, your cholesterol levels will begin to drop, even more so if you eat healthy and exercise daily.
Minimizing negative stress where possible and managing it when necessary are also important aspects of maintaining healthy cholesterol levels. High stress levels have been found to increase 'bad' cholesterol levels whereas being in a calm and positive state of mind can lower them.
High LDL cholesterol does not need to become a health crisis. It is reversible if you are willing to take the steps mentioned here. Keeping those levels down is important for cardiovascular health. By eating right, exercising regularly, minimizing stress and not smoking you will be able to achieve and maintain healthy cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Diagnosis For The Heart Conditions From Fatalities
About a year ago we found out that my grandmother has a heart condition. Apparently this is something that has been with her for a very long time, but because she has had a stroke, we were only focusing on one part of her health. As it turned out, she has congestive heart failure. Even though this is not necessarily a fatal diagnosis, it will take years off of her life. There are many people like my grandmother walking around who have no idea that they may have heart problems.
Most of the time those with a heart condition do not know it until they have a heart attack. Though congestive heart failure is not that which you would consider a common heart condition, there are many people who have it who have no idea what is going on. There are many other people, like my grandfather, who have the more common type of heart condition. He was just in the hospital a few weeks ago because one of his arteries was blocked. As it turned out, he had three or four problem areas around his heart that had to be corrected.
As you move through life, one of the last things you want to do is think about aging and dying. However, it is important that you see your doctor and a regular basis to rule out many things. One of those things should be a heart condition. You may not want to think about it, or believe that can happen to you, but developing a heart condition can be a very serious threat to your life. It is far better that you know what is going on so that you can fix the problem. Don’t skip your doctor’s appointments just because you don’t want to know.
Having a heart condition is not the end of the world. There have been many advances in the medical field that allow a person with a heart condition to live a long and healthy life. The best defense against a heart attack is preventing it. If there have been people in your family who have had a heart condition, you have to suspect that this may become a problem for you as well. Make sure you talk to your doctor about all of the serious illnesses that have been in your family, and make sure you get the proper testing done when your doctor recommends it. You may say that you don’t care, but I can assure you that your family wants you around for as long as possible.
Most of the time those with a heart condition do not know it until they have a heart attack. Though congestive heart failure is not that which you would consider a common heart condition, there are many people who have it who have no idea what is going on. There are many other people, like my grandfather, who have the more common type of heart condition. He was just in the hospital a few weeks ago because one of his arteries was blocked. As it turned out, he had three or four problem areas around his heart that had to be corrected.
As you move through life, one of the last things you want to do is think about aging and dying. However, it is important that you see your doctor and a regular basis to rule out many things. One of those things should be a heart condition. You may not want to think about it, or believe that can happen to you, but developing a heart condition can be a very serious threat to your life. It is far better that you know what is going on so that you can fix the problem. Don’t skip your doctor’s appointments just because you don’t want to know.
Having a heart condition is not the end of the world. There have been many advances in the medical field that allow a person with a heart condition to live a long and healthy life. The best defense against a heart attack is preventing it. If there have been people in your family who have had a heart condition, you have to suspect that this may become a problem for you as well. Make sure you talk to your doctor about all of the serious illnesses that have been in your family, and make sure you get the proper testing done when your doctor recommends it. You may say that you don’t care, but I can assure you that your family wants you around for as long as possible.
Control Of Congestive Heart Failure
Though I have been through a lot in my life, I was not prepared to hear the doctors say that my grandmother had congestive heart failure. She had already been though so much. She had a stroke when she was in her fifties, and she was never the same after that. She was always healthy though, and until this, had been OK for the most part. Now we had to face something that scared me. I didn’t want to go through it again, though I do realize that grandparents don’t live forever. I just didn’t want to face losing her now.
What I didn’t know about congestive heart failure is that the term is a little off. The heart is failing, but it may take awhile. There are ways to live longer, sometimes years longer when you are diagnosed with congestive heart failure, and you certainly don’t have to start making funeral plans if you hear those words. The doctors assured us that if they got the excess fluid out of her system she should be able to go home soon.
Since then, my grandmother has had to go to the hospital once, but seems to be doing well right now. My grandfather has been taking care of her, but he’s not as young as he used to be. He now has some nurses who come in each afternoon to give him a break. She has lived with congestive heart failure for a few years now, and by all accounts, she isn’t going to leave us any time soon. You can never count on that, and congestive heart failure can turn at any time, but it’s good to know that she’s still here.
She’s also happy. That’s what is important to me. She seems to be better than she has been in a long time despite the diagnosis of congestive heart failure. Perhaps she has been looking back on her life and perhaps she likes what she sees. She has always been a wonderful woman, and the world could use more like her. She hasn’t let congestive heart failure stop her from enjoying what she loves, even if she can’t do what she used to do. She seems to be happy to see us when we visit, and she’s still got that sparkle in her eye that I remember form when she was young and healthy. That’s all I need to see.
What I didn’t know about congestive heart failure is that the term is a little off. The heart is failing, but it may take awhile. There are ways to live longer, sometimes years longer when you are diagnosed with congestive heart failure, and you certainly don’t have to start making funeral plans if you hear those words. The doctors assured us that if they got the excess fluid out of her system she should be able to go home soon.
Since then, my grandmother has had to go to the hospital once, but seems to be doing well right now. My grandfather has been taking care of her, but he’s not as young as he used to be. He now has some nurses who come in each afternoon to give him a break. She has lived with congestive heart failure for a few years now, and by all accounts, she isn’t going to leave us any time soon. You can never count on that, and congestive heart failure can turn at any time, but it’s good to know that she’s still here.
She’s also happy. That’s what is important to me. She seems to be better than she has been in a long time despite the diagnosis of congestive heart failure. Perhaps she has been looking back on her life and perhaps she likes what she sees. She has always been a wonderful woman, and the world could use more like her. She hasn’t let congestive heart failure stop her from enjoying what she loves, even if she can’t do what she used to do. She seems to be happy to see us when we visit, and she’s still got that sparkle in her eye that I remember form when she was young and healthy. That’s all I need to see.
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