Everybody knows that tobacco is injurious to our health; still one finds difficulty in getting rid of that bad habit. Tobacco makes men to become slaves to it. Unless one has got very strong will power, it is highly impossible to break the iron chains of smoking. Many stopped the smoking habit number of times and again they are falling prey to that habit. Health benefits if you stop smoking: 1. Blood pressure: (Usually smoke raises 10 mm hg of systolic Bp per one cigarette smoking). 20 minutes after stopping the smoking, Blood pressure returns to normal levels. 2. Carbon monoxide (CO): It is harmful to the body, presence in the blood falls to half of its previous levels within 8 hours after the stopping of smoking. Oxygen previously in low levels, reaches to normal levels. 3. Heart: The chances of prone to heart attack are decreased to a great extent after 48 hours of stopping the smoking. 4.Taste: Nicotine levels in the blood falls, and the taste buds on the tongue becomes more active and one able to taste the food properly, as like the non-smokers and like that feels the smells also. 5. Respiratory tract: The respiratory tubes begin to function normally, after 72 hours of stopping the smoking. 8. Energy levels in the body rises and the person feel to work in energetic manner. 9. Blood circulation is improved within 2 weeks after quitting smoking. 10. Function of the Lungs: It Improves by 10% from the present level within 3-9 months. Breathing troubles also will be decreased maximamly. 11. Chances of getting heart attacks will be lessened to 50% at the end of one year. 12. Chances of getting paralysis is almost becomes less, as observed in non- smokers. 13. Chances of getting cancer are also lessened within 10 years and they are equal to non-smokers. 14. After 15 years, the chances of getting heart attacks are nil, as found in non-smokers. Why delay, Say good –bye to that habit of tobacco smoking and be happy and be benefited as shown above. One might say-‘’Preaching is easy’’. Of course it is 100% correct. But see the golden sentence below. Golden word: ‘’ where there is a will there is a way’’. … [Read more...]
How to prevent heart diseases?
Human heart is of the size of a man’s fist. Even though it is of such a small size, its performance is of the size of a mountain. World Heart Day is observed on -24th September, every year. Throughout the world, 57 million people are dying due to various causes, in a year. Out of which 17 million people are dying due to the diseases of the heart only. It is estimated by World health organisation that by 2010 more number of deaths might be due to diseases of heart and blood vessels. But most of these deaths are preventable. Main causes for these deaths: 1. High blood pressure 2. Atherosclerosis (high cholesterol levels in the blood) 3. Diabetes (especially affecting more people in developing countries). 4. Obesity due to bad food habits and lack of exercise. 5. Tobacco smoking: Raises the bad cholesterol level (LDL) in the blood (in low fat persons) which is not good for heart. 6. Stress and strain: More common in modern speedy life, as hurry makes worry. Signs and symptoms: If any of the following symptoms are noticed, one has to consult the physician for further treatment of the case. 1. Pain in the chest and also some discomfort in the middle of the chest2. Feeling of tightness or keeping weight on the chest3. Breathing becomes difficult4. Dyspnoea and sweating all over the body. How to protect your Heart? 1. Get rid of that bat habit of tobacco smoking. 2. Walk for ½ an hour daily (as brisk walking is the best exercise) 3. Blood pressure and Diabetes should be under control. 4. Avoid tension (stress and strain), and try to be with laughing face always (as laughter is the best medicine), 5. Take balanced diet always (as quality is main than quantity, that slogan holds good anywhere and every where). 6. Have positive thinking mentality (as hope is life). 7. Belief in GOD gives you mental peace (as sincere faith moves mountains). Hence keeping the heart in healthy condition is in your hands only. Remember this slogan always: Health is Wealth, (and every other thing is secondary to Health). … [Read more...]
Best diet for healthy heart
The major triggers of heart diseases are obesity and hypertension. Heart attack signs and symptoms: 1. Chest discomfort: You can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.2. Pain or discomfort in the arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach. 3. Shortness of breath 4. Cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness. Cardiac arrest signs and symptoms: 1. Sudden loss of responsiveness. No response to gentle shaking.2. Blood pressure and pulse rate drop3. No signs of circulation. 4. No movement or coughing. Dietary control is the first step and perhaps the best approach to a “healthy heart” and change a life style can reduce risk of heart disease significantly. Diet recommendations for a healthy heart: 1. A well-balanced diet like plenty of fiber, fresh fruits (apple etc) and vegetables can save arteries and prevent heart diseases. Foods rich in the antioxidants like beta –carotene, vitamins C and E, and selenium that fight free radicals. Foods like tomatoes, sprouts, raw nuts (except peanuts), garlic etc help to reduce serum cholesterol levels. 2. Avoid foods like coffee, tobacco, alcohol, sugar, butter, red meat, hydrogenated oils, fried fruits, soft drinks, and white flour products etc as they damage the arteries and cause heart attack. 3. Consume no more than 20 to 22% of daily calories from fat per day. 4. Life style modifications: Modify some of those important risk factors which predispose you to develop angina and ultimately leading to heart attack. 5. Smoking: Smokers carry a 3-6 times greater risk of developing heart attack than non smokers. Smoking causes injury to the walls of the arteries and increases cholesterol level and other substance which gradually narrowly the arteries. 6. Obesity: Obese people have excess of harmful cholesterol. Fat deposits causing body weight to be more than 20% normal weight constitutes obesity. Obesity places a strain on the heart. 7. Alcohol: Regular intake of more than moderate quantity of alcohol leads to hypertriglyceridemia which in turn raises bad cholesterol and lead to the increase in abdominal weight. 8. High Blood Pressure: Increase in blood pressure can damage the delicate inner lining of the arteries and allow excess cholesterol to creep into walls of the arteries and cause narrowing of blood vessels. 9. Exercise and Stress: Regular exercise reduces blood cholesterol levels and slows down the process of atherosclerosis and decreases the body weight. It also promotes mental relaxation and reduces strain and stress. Future stress on cardiac diseases is not about treatment but prevention through healthy diet, regular exercise and disciplined lifestyle. … [Read more...]
Heart diseases: Prevention and care
Coronary heart disease is getting epidemic proportions due to rapid rise in stress levels in the family and work life. Irregular timings (stress and strain), lack of control over diet habits and smoking are the major reasons behind increase in incidence of heart patients. How to prevent heart diseases: Courtesy: Sciencebob. 1. 1 hour of brisk walking at the speed of 5-6 km daily. 2. High fibre and low fat diet. Eat fruits and green leaf vegetables. 3. Stay away from fast food restaurants. Never eat junk food like pizza etc. 4. Family history of Diabetes, Obesity, Hypertension and lipid disorders are more prone to heart diseases at an early age.5. Men above the age of 35 years and women over 40 years who are either smokers or alcoholics are at greater risk than normal persons.6. Strictly follow diet and exercise schedule.7. Meditation and Yoga help in reducing stress levels. 8. Controlling Blood pressure and Diabetes are essential. 7. Avoid lifting anything that weighs more than 3 kg. 8. While getting up from a chair, try not to put your body weight on your hands. 9. While getting up from bed, roll over to the edge, swing your legs to the floor and push your upper body up with your elbow. Sit on the side of the bed for a couple of minutes before getting up. 10. Avoid pushing and pulling heavy things, mowing, vacuuming or any activity that might put strain on the breast bone. 11. For 7-8 weeks after the attack of surgery, let others drive. 12. 80% of the heart patients can resume normal life through proper rehabilitation programme. Prevention is better than cure. Balance your family and work life. Heart surgery patients – Proper Care 1. During the first 6-8 weeks after discharge, you may feel pain in the chest, shoulders and back. DON’T PANIC. These are healing pains. 2. Begin your walking programme 3-4 days after surgery. 3. Don’t over-exert yourself. 4. Never take a walk immediately after meals. 5. You can climb stairs from the day of discharge, but do so slowly. 6. Don’t begin household chores immediately. … [Read more...]
Protecting the heart – Prolonging the life
If we take proper care about our heart, the humans can add 10 years to their life span as per International agencies. How to stay away from Heart diseases: 1. Stay away from Smoking and Alcoholism. 2. Reduce stress and strain on the body. 3. Keep blood pressure under control. 4. Keep weight under control. 5. Exercise daily for 40-45 minutes. 6. Do meditation and Yoga. 1. Blood Pressure: In America, 1 in 4 persons are suffering from blood pressure while in India, 1 in 7 persons are suffering from blood pressure. The wonderful thing is around 50% of those suffering from high blood pressure are without any symptoms. Mechanism: If there is high B.P, heart should work very hard. Heart becomes weak due to this hard work. Chances of heart attack are higher in uncontrolled blood pressure patients. 2. Control of Cholesterol level: Risk for heart attack increases with rise in blood cholesterol levels. Regularly check your blood cholesterol levels. Take fat free diet and stay away from fast foods. 3. Anti oxidants role: Increase in harmful anti - oxidant levels is a direct threat to your heart. Vitamin E is a good anti – oxidant and control the harmful anti oxidants. … [Read more...]
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