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...]
Anxiety worsens heart patient prognosis
Anxiety patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) will have worst prognosis as they are likely to get heart attack and death. Anxiety will worsen outcome by 70% according to a research study which was published in the July issue of Archives of General Psychiatry. According to previous research studies, depression and stress worsen prognosis for heart disease patients. Now, anxiety is the new psychological factor that can seriously impact coronary heart disease patients. Diagnosis of heart disease is enough to develop anxiety, stress and depression in the patients which will further wosen outcome. We should educate patients on this crucial aspect. Researchers conducted research in 1,015 CHD patients with similar risk profiles except in anxiety. But, researchers failed to provide mechanism of relationship between anxiety disorder and coronary heart disease. So, counselling plays vital role in the treatment of heart disease patients. Anxiety, stress and depression play vital role not only in prognosis but also in the way patient deals with the disease. … [Read more...]
Calcium score indicates Heart Disease risk
Calcium levels in the arteries of heart (coronary arteries) indicate your risk of getting heart diseases. Coronary artery calcium (CAC) score helps to predict one’s risk for heart attack irrespective of age, race and bad habits. Calcium score indicates the level of calcium on the walls of the coronary arteries. This research study was done by University of California scientists and published in the New England Journal of Medicine. They did the research study on 6,700 persons from all major ethnic groups. Calcium levels in the coronary arteries can be detected by CT scan and calciums core acts as marker for coronary artery diseases. Prognosis worsens as calcium levels rise in the arteries. If Coronary calcium score is between 101 and 300, risk of getting heart attack is 8 times higher while risk is 10 times more if calcium score is above 300. CT scan screening is a non-invasive technique that helps to prevent heart attacks although it is an expensive one. Cardiac CT scan costs about $250 to $500 but helps to find out even minor obstruction (fat or calcium) in the arteries that was missed by other diagnostic tests. Cardiac CT scan may gradually replace tests like Treadmill. One should not do this CT scan without physician’s advice. Before this test, one should take routine tests like Blood cholesterol, C-reactive protein, ECG and ECHO under doctor’s supervision. … [Read more...]
Snoring linked to heart diseases
People who snore have higher chances of getting heart attack than those who do not snore. According to a study by Hungarian researchers, heavy snorers have 67% increase in risk of getting strokes and 34% increase in risk of getting heart attacks than non-snorers. Scientists conducted research on 12,000 patients to find the relation between snoring and heart diseases. These research findings were published in the journal “Sleep”. Heavy snoring acts as a trigger for rise in blood pressure which can cause heart diseases. Quiet snoring is not associated with any heart disease risk in men but in women it causes hypertension. Snoring incidence is 24% in women and 40% in men. Snoring increases with age but declines after the age of 70. Snoring habit is high in obese people and it is a sign of some obstruction in the air pathway. Snoring shows familial incidence. Snoring and cardiovascular disease risk is high during pregnancy. Bad habits like smoking and drinking increases snoring occurrence. Snoring is a side effect of muscle relaxants. If you are a male aged more than 50 with snoring habit, check your heart regularly with doctor. … [Read more...]
Amazing facts about your Heart
Heart is an amazing and most hard working organ in your body which continues to pump out blood as long as you live. Heart, as a symbol of love gets an eternal place in our life. Livescience.com listed 10 amazing facts about your heart. Know about your heart: Courtesy: Livescience. 1. Bigger heart is not a symbol for your emotional quotient. But it is a sign of underlying heart disease. 2. Bad news will disrupt your heart and lead to heart diseases due to release of stress hormones. 3. Heart is really an amazing organ. Heart beats for 1,oo,ooo times to pump 2,000 gallons of oxygen-rich blood many times through about 60,000 miles of branching blood vessels in our body per day. 4. Contrary to popular perception, heart diseases are occurring at almost similar rates in both men and women. 5. Like exercise, regular sex (3 times a week) reduces risk of death from coronary heart disease due to burning of calories. 6. Either red or white, wine has similar effect on heart. 7. Laughing will help your heart by increasing blood flow due to relaxation of blood vessels. 8. Scientists are developing stem cell therapies to cure physically damaged hearts. 9. Horse has similar heart as humans. Scientists are conducting experiments on horse hearts to understand human hearts. 10. Heart is the universal symbol of love. According to Greeks, it is a symbol of spirit. According to Chinese, heart is a symbol of happiness. Click here to know more about the 10 amazing facts. … [Read more...]
High B.P increases heart disease risk
Increase in blood pressure raises the risk of getting heart disease, according to University of California researchers. They analysed the medical data of 4, 646 adults who took part in National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The research study was published in “The Journal of Archives of Internal Medicine”. Persons who are unable to control their blood pressure are at high risk for heart diseases. 30% of US population are living with high blood pressure which is at high risk for getting heart diseases. 75% of survey participants who had high blood pressure also had other chronic diseases like diabetes, kidney disease, stroke, heart failure and vascular diseases. Most of these people generally fail to control even with medication. One should maintain blood pressure less than 130/80 mm of Hg. Hypertension is defined as systolic blood pressure of at least 140 mm of Hg or diastolic blood pressure of at least 90 mm of Hg. According to the data, high blood pressure is common in older and African American adults. TV watching and blood pressure: Children who spend more time watching television are at risk of getting blood pressure in the later life. The children are generally obese due to lack of physical exercise and increase in psychological stress (due to watching TV). These children are generally junk food eaters. One can stay away from chronic diseases like high blood pressure, diabetes and cancer by modifying lifestyle changes and regular screening measures. 50% of these chronic diseases are preventable. … [Read more...]
Heart disease risk rises due to bad marriage
People who lack emotional support and supportive partner have 34% increased risk of heart diseases, according to a London University college study. The scientists observed 9,000 people for 12 years before revealing their findings. People in most negative relationships are at 1.34 times more at risk of getting heart attack than normal people. This research study was published in the Archives of Internal Medicine. Bad relations among family members will rise stress levels and thereby increase heart attack risk. These people will frequently argument and criticize among themselves which will dampen heart health. These emotional imbalances disturb hormonal balance and induce negative biological reactions. They suffer from depression, low self-esteem and other mental health disorders. According to previous studies, people in relationship enjoy good health when compared to singletons. But bad relationships are worse than not having any relationship. Couples who are in unhappy relationships are at very high risk of heart diseases. What kind of partner you have is more important in determining your heart disease risk. Psychological counseling for the people who are in bad relationships will help to decrease heart disease risk to some extent. Another interesting study which was published in the Psychosomatic Medicine journal found that women who silenced themselves during disputes with their partner were 4 times more likely to die than those who argue with their husbands. Researchers discounted age, sex, social status and economical condition before coming to conclusion. Think twice before selecting your partner. … [Read more...]
Siblings of coronary artery patients are at high risk
The close family members of the people who have coronary artery disease are at risk for coronary artery disease. Brothers and sisters of coronary artery patients are 2.5 times at risk for heart diseases than normal ones. This research study was published in the European Heart Journal. Image courtesy: Siemens Medical division. The close family members of the people who carry abnormality in the left coronary artery are at risk for coronary artery disease. Brothers and sisters of coronary artery patients are 2.5 times at risk for heart diseases than normal ones. This research study was published in the European Heart Journal. 1. First cardiovascular study: Researchers analyzed 1,800 members of families in which two or more people developed coronary artery disease. The scientists found 50% or more narrowing in 12% of family members. 2. Second study: It was done on 1,400 brothers and sisters of people with coronary artery disease for 5 years. According to these German research studies, siblings of coronary disease patients are at 2.5 times more risk than normal siblings. Why left coronary artery is crucial? There are two main coronary arteries in the heart, left and right. It is main artery that supplies 60% heart blood flow. Left coronary artery supplies blood to ventricles and left atrium. Coronary artery disease is accumulation of fat deposits (Atherosclerosis) in the arteries. Around 14 million Americans are suffering from heart disease. How to prevent cardiac diseases in family members? Siblings of cardiac patients should check their heart health regularly as they are at high risk for heart diseases. It is better to undergo screening for heart diseases even though costs are high. According to previous research studies, heart attack also runs in families. We need more studies to give final verdict on the hereditary factor in causing heart diseases in siblings of coronary artery patients. Please share your experiences if any of sibling is suffering from heart disease. … [Read more...]
Good Cholesterol and heart disease risk
Good cholesterol (HDL, High Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol) plays crucial role in reducing risk of heart diseases irrespective of amount of bad cholesterol (LDL Cholesterol). Higher the patient’s HDL; lower the risk of stroke or cardiovascular disease. Even if you can reduce LDL to low levels, it is of no use if you don’t have sufficient HDL. This was revealed in a research study by Sydney Heart Research Institute on 9,700 patients who are on Lipitor (Atorvostatin, cholesterol lowering drug) medication. The research study was published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Image courtesy: Kansas School of medicine. But researchers failed to give proper details on the protective mechanism of HDL cholesterol irrespective of LDL cholesterol. But it is very difficult to raise HDL levels. Niacin is the only drug that can raise good cholesterol levels but it has serious side effects. Statins can reduce only bad cholesterol levels but have minor effect on good cholesterol levels. Reducing bad cholesterol (LDL Cholesterol) levels reduce heart disease and stroke risk by 50%. If we can develop a magic that can elevate HDL Cholesterol without side effects, we can cut heart disease risk by 90%. It is good to keep LDL Cholesterol level under 100 mg/dl and HDL cholesterol level above 50 mg/dl. Smoking, uncontrolled blood pressure, unhealthy diet habits and stressful life are other major risk factors. Physicians should now concentrate on HDL levels otherwise patients are still at risk of heart diseases even though their LDL levels are under control. … [Read more...]
Calcium supplements increse Heart attack risk
Calcium supplements which are generally prescribed by doctors for bone health can cause heart attack, according to a research study by University of Auckland. This research study is more significant as Calcium supplements are using by millions of osteoporosis patients especially women. Regular intake of Calcium will reduce risk of broken bones by 25% but Calcium supplements increase heart attack risk by 40%. Doctors should think twice before prescribing calcium supplements routinely. One should cut their daily calcium intake from 1200mg to around 500mg a day. Whether patients want broken bones or heart attack? It is better for older women not take calcium at all. Build-up of calcium in the blood vessels and heart valves increases heart attack risk, according to researchers. This study was conducted on 1500 postmenopausal women by Auckland University with the belief of calcium might decrease heart attack risk. Results surprised not only researchers but entire medical community. Calcium functions in the body: 1. Regulation of heartbeat. 2. Conduction of nerve impulses. 3. Stimulation of hormone secretions. 4. Clotting of blood. This research was done on elderly women but we need more studies on the impact of calcium supplements on young women. Postmenopausal women should try other risk free drugs for their brittle bones. … [Read more...]
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