120/80 is commonly recommended blood pressure for healthy people. In India, 100-130 Systolic and 70-85 diastolic blood pressure is most common. Doctors generally give precautions to heart disease and diabetic patients when systole crosses 130. But, according to a research study published in the July 7 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, systolic blood pressure of 130-140 is actually good for patients suffering from Coronary artery disease and diabetes. According to this research study conducted by University of Florida scientists, systolic pressure of less than 120 and diastolic pressure of less than 80 is actually not good for these patients. But, when systolic blood pressure crosses 140, such diabetic patients are more prone (50% increase in risk) to heart attack and death. For Diabetes and Coronary Heart Disease patients: Good Systolic blood pressure: 130-140 Bad: Less than 120 Worst systolic blood pressure: More than 140 So, Systolic Blood pressure of 130-140 is actually good for diabetic and heart disease patients. But, blood pressure of more than 140 is very harmful for such patients. Heart disease (especially myocardial infarction) is the most common cause of death in diabetics. Advice: When a patient comes with a systolic blood pressure of more than 140, try to reduce it to 130-140 levels. But, doctors should not concentrate on intense reduction to 110-120 levels. … [Read more...]
High Blood Pressure and Childhood Obesity
Blood pressure levels in children and youth are rising after decades of decline, according to a research study by a Morehouse school of Medicine. This study was done by analysing data of national health surveys conducted in 8-17 year age group between 1963 and 2002 published in “Circulation”, journal of the American Heart Association. Childhood obesity increased in all racial and ethnic groups in the recent times. One centimetre increase in waist circumference will raise blood pressure by 10% and pre- high blood pressure by 5%. Prevalence of high blood pressure showed a downward trend between 1963 and 1994 surveys and upward trend from 1999 onwards. High blood pressure is a major health problem and a common risk factor for heart attack and stroke. Normal blood pressure was defined as having both systolic pressure and diastolic pressure below the 90th percentile. Pre-High BP was defined as either a systolic or diastolic blood pressure above the 90th percentile but below the 95th percentile or having blood pressure levels above 120/80 mm Hg, but below 95th percentile. High Blood pressure was defined as either systolic or diastolic blood pressure at or above the 95th percentile. Pre-high blood pressure is relevant because the long-running Bogalusa (La.) Heart Study found that children whose blood pressure was chronically at or above the 90th percentile showed signs of early organ damage as young adults, such as greater thickening of the heart wall or higher amounts of a protein called albumin in the urine. Researchers used 2 kinds of overweight measurements: 1. Body Mass Index (BMI) – General overweight. 2. Waist circumference – Abdominal obesity. Changing eating habits and sedentary lifestyle are major factors for rise in childhood obesity. … [Read more...]
Health benefits of quitting smoking
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...]
Relationship between Blood pressure and elements
The plants and elements that decrease high BP (proved in clinical trials) are: Potassium, Magnesium, Calcium, Co Enzyme Q10, Fish oil and Flock seed oil are important ones. Elements: 1. Potassium: Deficiency of potassium in food definitely shows its effect on BP. By taking foods that contain more potassium, the high BP can be controlled. It decreases systolic blood pressure by 3.11 mm hg and diastolic blood pressure by 1.97mm. 2. Sodium: It is present in more quantities in the salt (as sodium chloride), which we use for taste in the foods. By taking less salt, the heart diseases can be reduced by 25 %( 1/4th of total heart diseases). 3. Magnesium: Decreased intake of mg leads to rise in the BP level. 4. Co-Q10: Co enzyme was first of all found in the muscles of cow’s heart and later on found in the human beings. Human body can produce it by itself. Co-enzyme is also present in, meat, fish and soya bean oil etc. It acts like Vitamin E and neutralizes the free radicals (which are harmful). Co-Q10 helps the blood to flow freely in the blood vessels and controls the high BP. 5. Fish oil: Omega 3 fatty acids present in the oil, decreases the high BP to some extent. The dose is 3 grams per day. It contains EPA, which acts on the heart to control BP. 6. Flacks seed oil: It also contains Omega 3 fatty acid containing Alfa-lenolenic acid, which reduces the BP by 5 mm of Hg both systolic and diastolic. If one table spoon of flack seed oil is taken daily, it provides sufficient amount of fatty acids to control the high BP. … [Read more...]
Atherosclerosis – Pathology and prevention
Atherosclerosis Pathology: Atherosclerosis means there is an obstruction to the flow of blood in big and medium sized vessels walls in the human body due to accumulation of fat patches or plaques. Usually the inner layer of blood vessel is smooth and slippery in nature. If there are creaks in this layer, then fat accumulation beings to form. Blood vessels last their elasticity and become hardened. Body has got its own mechanism for repairing any damaged part in the body. Here the monocytes become active and begin to repair the damaged inner walls and removes the accumulated fat particles. Some times the fat particles have the upper hand over the monocytes. Then these hardened fat particles separate themselves from the wall of the blood vessels and travel in the blood circulation and forms round balls called embolus. It forms at the junction where the blood vessels divide into two branches and obstructs the blood flow. If the obstruction occurs in the coronary blood vessels, the heart-attack occurs. If it occurs in the brain –paralysis (stroke) occurs.Atherosclerosis statistics: The deaths due to Atherosclerosis are 2 times more than the cancer especially in western countries. Risk Factors: 1. Smoking 2. Rise in Blood Cholesterol Level 3. High blood pressure 4. Diabetes 5. Obesity 6. Sedentary life 7. High levels of Homo cysteine in the blood. How can we know this condition of Atherosclerosis? Usually these symptoms appear when the blood vessel is closed up to 70% only. If the blood vessels of heart (coronary vessels) - closes partially – the person gets heart attack. If the openings in the vessels closed completely, there is heart attack or heart failure or changing in the rhythm of heart beatings. If the vessels in the legs are totally closed-we get severe pain in the legs (called intermittent claudication). In the persons beyond 50 years of the age-if the blood flow does not go to kidneys, kidney failure occurs.If there is less oxygen supply to the muscles-we call it as “muscle cry”. How to prevent Atherosclerosis? 1. Avoid smoking, Alcohol and meat. 2. Control Blood cholesterol level and take fat free diet. Stay away from fast foods. 3. Avoid stress and strain. 4. Take soya beans, oatmeal, brawn, Garlic, fish and more vegetables. 5. Garlic: It is called as “old doctor”. It does more benefit of health to the humans. It prevents thickening of blood and blood clots and thus prevents heart diseases. It contains “Alison” a chemical which prevents cancer. Garlic decreases the high blood pressure. It is better to take it in raw form rather than cooked product. 6. Fish: It contains omega-3 fatty acids and also cad liver oil which prevents heart diseases, joint pains and it increases brain activity. The omega 3 fatty acids increase the good cholesterol (HDL), and decreases bad cholesterol (LDL) and thus prevent heart diseases. Most of the heart attacks are preventable with simple measures like diet control and regular exercise. Meditation and Yoga reduce the stress levels. Please share your preventive measures. … [Read more...]
Heart attack and Monday
Heart Attack and Monday relation: Those who are doing jobs are prone to get heart attacks more on Monday, compare to other days in a week. 33% more chances of getting on Monday than on normal working days. Saturday morning ranks the second. As per article published in British medical journal, there is 20% increase in heart attack cases on Monday. Early morning is the most common period during which people suffer heart attack. As per another research, Blood pressure increases on Monday. So, Monday morning is the most dangerous period for heart patients. Causes of Heart attack on Monday morning: - Usually the employees spent joyfully weekends and are more relaxed. - When they start to go to job on Monday, there is more stress physically and mentally. - Another cause is change in hormone levels. - Less heart attack cases are reported in employees who are enjoying their work life. It is better to prepare mentally for tomarrow's (Monday) work life. … [Read more...]
Heart disease and Personality
Heart Attack and personalities: Personality of a person shows direct relationship with occurance of heart disease. Type A Personality or High risk group: Ambitious personalities. They always want to challenge or contest with others even if there is no necessity. They interfere while others talking. They show more anger. - Type A personalities are of - chronic incessant struggle to achieve more with in a short period of time - personalities. - They are more prone to heart diseases. Type B personalities: Appears always happy and are in relaxed mood. They will not run for success. They allow it to come in usual manner. - Heart diseases are very rare in this group. Blood Pressure and Diet: Blood pressure can be controlled with diet restriction. - Salt restriction (Sodium restriction). - Reduction of saturated fat. - Adequate dietary calcium intake. - Supplementary Potassium intake. Some Stats: Normal Heart beats 1, 03,680 times per every 24 hours. ECG is invented by William Iyen Dhoven. … [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...]
Coronary Heart Disease and Angina
Coronary heart disease leads to heart attack. The coronary arteries have to become reduced in size upto 70% before the signs and symptoms appear in the patient. This disease becomes more advanced in hypertensive and Diabetic patients. Even the obstruction to blood supply occurs up to 60% - 70% in coronary arteries, Heart gets blood supply through collateral routes. This collateral blood supply compensate to some extent. Stages: 1. Dyspnoea (Breathlessness): It is the first stage in heart patients.2. Orthopnoea: Second stage – breathlessness occurs while lying in bed. 3. Dyspnoea in nights: Patient suddenly sits on the bed from sleep due to sudden breathlessness in the middle of the nights. This stage subsides within minutes or continues for few hours. This is called Cardiac Asthma. Angina: There is compressed pain in the chest of the patient. The pain in angina is present in the centre of the chest and behind the bone closely to it. This pain radiates to neck, lower jaw, shoulder, arms, especially to fingers of left hand. Nature of pain:There is feeling of pulling some weight on the chest or sometimes, very light pain. Upper limbs develop numbness and the hand is heavy. Patient is in helpless condition. Angina pain develops while doing labor work and subsides after stopping the work (rest). Angina generally occurs: 1. Cold air 2. After taking meals. 3. after sexual act. 4. In emotions In the early morning – Body unable to start its work. Angina pain may subside in 1-2 minutes or continues for 30 minutes. In heart attack, The pain in chest continue for more than one hour. … [Read more...]
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