Effects of Stress on Your Heart

We all experience stress, but many people have trouble dealing with their stress. Stress can affect every aspect of life, both emotionally and physically. There are many ways that you can experience the effects of stress on your physical body.

Studies have shown that stress has been linked with heart disease, weight gain (or loss), cognitive impairment, your blood pressure (and risk of stroke) and even some forms of cancer. Other physically related health concerns caused by stress can include diabetes, hair loss, hyperthyroidism, sexual dysfunction, tooth and gum disease, ulcers and even hair loss. Of course, there are many causes of stress, such as having too busy a lifestyle, factors at work, personal relationships, inadequate sleep, poor eating habits (nutrition), lack of physical exercise, environment...and the list goes on. All of these stress related factors can impact your physical health.

It has been estimated that as much as 90 percent of doctor's visits are due to stress related symptoms in some way. It has also been noted that one in every seven men will suffer a heart attack or other disabling heart disease before the age of 60. In our anxiety ridden society, that figure does not seem impossible.

There are a couple of different types of stress that can lead to heart problems. The first is chronic emotional stress in which you may be more likely to develop atherosclerosis, the heart disease process that produces coronary artery disease, stroke and peripheral artery disease. If you suffer from this type of stress, the symptoms of which include clenched teeth, a surge of adrenaline with the fight-or-flight reaction (commonly manifested as frustration, anger or hostility) you are more at risk for atherosclerosis.

Stress, even at normal everyday levels, can cause a temporary worsening in your vascular functions. Hormonal changes can increase the amount of adrenaline in your bloodstream. With chronic emotional stress, adrenaline is pumped into your bloodstream at increased levels and those changes can persist, which can lead to increased inflammation, and this is associated with an elevated risk of atherosclerosis.

Along with that, chronic emotional stress often goes hand-in-hand with other cardiovascular risk factors. For example, smokers under stress commonly increase their tobacco consumption (which can lead to an increased risk of cancer), while others turn to overeating (causing weight gain). Cholesterol levels also tend to go up during periods of increased stress.

The second type involves periods of intense stress that can lead to acute heart problems like heart attacks.

Life events can be extremely stressful. Consider the death of a loved one, loss of a job, business failure, exposure to natural disasters (such as a flood or earthquake), being the victim of a violent crime, or the break-up of your family unit. The anxiety associated with these extreme life events produce the type of stress can definitely increase your cardiac risk. This increased risk of stress related heart attack is caused by significant elevations in blood pressure, your heart rate, vascular tone (or vein constriction), inflammation and accelerated blood clotting. All of these factors can lead to stress-related heart attacks.

If you feel that stress is becoming overwhelming in your life and may be affecting your heart health, it may be wise to seek help in finding ways to reduce your stress or find strategies of help you cope with the stress you are undergoing. If you do not take any action, you may find that the effects of stress on your heart may lead to a significant heart health risks.

D. A. Hojt has done a vast amount of research on stress and how stress can affect your health, emotionally and physically. D. A. Hojt has now come out with a new book on stress and ways to help you cope with any stress you may be feeling. Find Your Stress Relief Handbook now on Kindle.

Original article

Cholesterol Lowering Drugs - 'Statins' - Learn How They Work and The Effects They Produce

Cholesterol lowering drugs - commonly called statins - are being prescribed frequently, but the side effects they produce in the body can leave you feeling achy, fatigued, and depressed. What should you do? If you feel caught between a rock and a hard place, answering the following two questions should help you decide: 'How do statins work?' and 'Are they effective?'

Statins work by inhibiting an enzyme called HMG-CoA reductase. This enzyme works in the liver and is essential for producing cholesterol and another co-enzyme called COQ10. When HMG-CoA is inhibited, the liver is inhibited, and cannot perform its functions properly - cholesterol and COQ10 levels in the body are both depleted.

To understand what happens when cholesterol levels are reduced, we need to understand the role cholesterol plays in our bodies. Cholesterol is a substance that is found in every cell membrane, making our cell walls waterproof. Without sufficient cholesterol, our cell walls become leaky. Studies have shown that low cholesterol rates yield increased rates of cancer. That should not be surprising, since cancer begins at the cell level. Cholesterol is also a repair substance. It is found in all scar tissue, including the scar tissue that is in your arteries - plaque. (This fact should help us to realize that cholesterol is a symptom of heart disease, not a cause). Cholesterol is also needed by our brains for proper brain function. What am I getting at? Cholesterol is a friend, not a foe. Creating low levels of cholesterol, inhibiting its normal, necessary functions can be very dangerous to your health.

Statins also interfere with the making of the enzyme COQ10. COQ10, like cholesterol, is found in our cells, and is vital for the creation of ATP in the mitochondria. The creation of ATP (energy) is crucial for cell reproduction, cell repair, for the effective messaging and interaction between our cells -ie- our immune system, and for supporting muscle function. When COQ10 levels are depleted, our muscles can not function properly. Since the heart is a muscle, it is directly affected when COQ10 is limited. Though statins are taken to reduce cholesterol levels and thereby increase heart function, indirectly they may decrease heart function by altering COQ10 levels. It is interesting to note that deaths due to heart failure doubled from 1989-1997. Statins were introduced to the American public in 1987.

Do statins work? It depends on what you want them to do. Yes, they lower cholesterol levels.

Do they prevent heart disease? It is evident that heart disease is not on the decline. This is affirmed by a test done in 1992, in which Dr Ravnskov analyzed 26 controlled cholesterol lowering trials and found an equal number of cardiovascular deaths in both the treatment and the control groups.1

Are statins effective? They lower cholesterol and COQ10 very effectively, but do not seem to be lowering rates of heart disease. You need to have the right cause to produce the right effect. Evidence seems to indicate that factors other than high cholesterol are causing heart disease. If high cholesterol caused heart disease, then statins would be putting a large dent into the number of heart disease victims --but they're not. Instead they are causing problems all their own. I'll be saving that information for future articles...

If you decide to take statins, you should supplement with COQ10, or you will be at risk for very serious side effects, particularly wasting of your muscles. If you choose not to take statins, there are some very effective natural remedies that can help bring your cholesterol/ triglyceride levels into a normal range, by getting to the source of the problem. They would be a much wiser investment, in my opinion.

1. Ravnskov U.BMJ.1992;305:15-19

The information in this article is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

You are encouraged to confirm any information obtained from or through this article with other sources, and review all information regarding any medical condition or treatment with your physician.

I research information concerning current health trends, inform people of the myths that are being circulated, and provide natural remedies that will dramatically increase the potential for living disease free.

I am a wife, the mother of 5 and the grandmother of six girls.

http://www.haveahealthyheartnow.com/

Original article

The Effects of Food on Palpitations

Palpitations are a change in the beating rhythm of the heart. Palpitations are just one of the ways that a biological, physical or mental stress can manifest itself throughout the body. It is more common in people who lead stressful or highly active lifestyles. However, they can be experienced- and usually are at some point in an individual's lifetime - by anyone of any age. Considering the heart beats in the average lifetime around three billion times, the odds are that one may experience a few palpitations at some point.

Most of the time there is nothing to be worried about, however, when they first occur you should consult your Doctor as they may signal an underlying condition. Apart from the obvious (excess caffeine, alcohol, stimulants, pain or stress), these underlying conditions may include anything from a menopausal condition to Toxic Goitre (thyroid problems).

There are two major types of arrhythmias: tachycardia (the heartbeat is too fast) and bradycardia (the heartbeat is too slow). Arrhythmias are identified by where they occur in the heart (atria or ventricles) and by what happens to the heart's rhythm when they occur. However, unfortunately (or fortunately) for most, the doctor will not be able to pinpoint your exact cause. This is where alternative solutions need to come into play before more serious methods.

The word "alternative" has gotten a bad rap over the years. When it comes to palpitations, most alternative solutions are just commonsensical approaches. I recommend to others that you need to combat palpitations threefold by re-evaluating your lifestyle choices (smoking, sleep, stress, etc.), your supplementation choices (magnesium, calcium, etc.) and your dietary choices (what foods to eat and how you consume them). Let's briefly examine the latter and why it is critical for you to rethink how you stock your refrigerator.

Chances are you have heard some variation of the following scenario. A family, who after following a plant-based diet, was able to turn three little ADHD brats into extremely well-behaved angels. Stories like these, where food is the cure, are endless. Food clearly plays a leading role in your health and it is no exaggeration to think your palpitations can cease from choosing the correct culinary choices.

These food choices influence your body in two main ways. Firstly, the nutrients that food provides either help or hinder your overall health. Secondly, foods that the body disagrees with will realise a form of toxic matter, causing the brain to release a toxic by-product around your body to fight this.

For others, they experience palpitations directly after eating. This is in part due to more blood being pumped to your stomach to aid digestion. There are a list of possibilities as to why this occurs, however, it all comes down to improper eating. A few basic reasons are as follows:

(1) Oversized portions. Gigantic meal sizes mean more pressure on your body and more work for the heart to pump blood to the stomach.

(2) Not varying your electrolytes. If your foods choices are predominately high in potassium or sodium, then the chances are you need variety in your food.

(3) Hormonal imbalances. It is best if you consult your doctor for a proper analysis if you think this could be the case. This is often so for women who are pregnant.

(4) Improper eating. The odds are you know how to eat healthy, but also know you could be making major changes in this department. Of course, too much caffeine, sugar, alcohol, chocolate and yeast products may very well be at the root of your problem.

Never underestimate the power of food. Many cultures have long held their own remedies for calming the heart and preventing palpitations. Thanks to modern science we can now explore their nutritional properties and validate the rationale behind the "why".

Every individual's body chemistry differs and what causes palpitations in one person may not be the same trigger in the other. Having said that though, we are all built the same and need the same basic inputs.

There is a good chance that by revamping your life, you may very well never have a palp again. Sit down and have an objective look at your life and try some changes for a few weeks to see if you notice any difference.

Good luck and good health,

Jethro Iggulden.

Original article

Beware of Side Effects of Cardiac Medications

The modern healthcare scenario is somewhat muddled, as far as a layman is concerned, due to the claims and counterclaims made by different groups with differing opinions. The same is absolutely true to heart care medicines. Most prescription drugs claim to reduce cholesterol, clogging up of the arteries and other heart-related diseases, but in fact they have hidden but very obvious side effects which can, in the long term, can reduce the lifespan.

As an example, we shall take up the case of Simvastatin, which is a hypolipidemic that is used for treating people suffering from high cholesterol and triglycerides. The medicine, to be truthful, helps preventing cardiovascular diseases and reduces the chances of heart strokes and attacks. The medicine is arguably good for administering in diabetes patients too. Again, the drug is effective in reducing cholesterol in children and young adults too. A large number of manufacturers are selling this drug under different names, like Simvacor and Simcard, to name a few.

However, with all its unique qualities, this prescription drug has many pronounced side effects. The general negative effects include indigestion, fatigue, loss of memory, joint pains, muscle cramps, abdominal pain, headaches etc. But you need to note here that these side-effects are neither universal nor long-lasting. Some persons may experience a handful of these impacts while another group may experience most of these. In some persons, the side effects may be recurring and long drawn out while in some, they may be just fleeting experiences. Extreme and rare side effects like Myalgia, which is a severe form of muscle pain, can also be observed in some patients. Regular and uncontrolled usage of Simvastatin have also reportedly caused life-threatening situations like Myositis, Rhabdomyolysis, Cholestatic Hepatitis, Hepatic Cirrhosis etc in some patients.

People who are undergoing Simvastatin usage also need to stay away from foods like grapefruits. The juice of the fruit has the capability to interfere with the cholesterol-reducing agentsin the drug while obstructing the metabolism process. The enzymes contained in the fruit work negatively with the ingredients in Simvastatin, but this does not mean that all citrus fruits are out of bounds for those undergoing heart treatments.

The above mentioned facts are indicative that simvastatin may be among the most harmless cholesterol reducing drugs available now. However, you need to be cautious about its usage. In addition, the drug must be administered only on the advice and active participation of a registered medical practitioner. After all, it is your health that is at stake here.

If you need help passing your USMLE, PLAB and other board exams you must have a large set of Cardiology MCQs. Visit Cardiology Questions for latest Cardiology questions with answers.

Original article

Side Effects of Heart Medicines: Use It With Care

Simvastatin is mainly a hypolipidemic medicine, which is used to treat patients with high triglycerides and high cholesterol. It also plays an important role in preventing cardiovascular diseases and reduces the risk of strokes and a heart attack. Simvastatin is highly recommended to the patients with diabetes, heart diseases and peripheral vascular diseases. This drug is also effective in treating children and young adults (10 years - 17 years) with high cholesterol level. Simvastatin is not only available under the generic name but also it is available under the brand names viz. Simlup, Zocor, Simvacor and Simcard.

Side Effects of Simvastatin

Likewise any other medicine, Simvastatin also has some side effects. However, this does not mean that anyone who takes it will certainly experience its side effects. It is seen that most of the patients withstand Simvastatin quite well. Medical research has shown that the side effects of Simvastatin were so minor that its consumers did not go for any medical treatment. Nonetheless, in some cases, side effects were easily treated by a medical practitioner.

Headaches, abdominal pain, indigestion, diarrhoea and asthenia (a feeling of weakness) are a few side effects, which can be easily cured. Some patients who are using Simvastatin have also reported constipation, flatulence, nausea and minor upper respiratory infections.

Furthermore, very rare side effects of this particular drug include memory loss, joint pain and muscle cramps. In exceptional cases, a muscular pain medically known as Myalgia is also witnessed in patients who are taking Simvastatin. In case, if a patient experiences inexplicable muscle pain, weakness or tenderness (particularly if it is supplemented by a feeling of infirmity or fever), health provider should be immediately contacted. A continuous usage of this drug has also reported Cholestatic Hepatitis, Myositis, Rhabdomyolysis and Hepatic Cirrhosis in few patients.

Avoid Grapefruit juice while using Simvastatin

Grapefruit juice sometimes impinges on some heart medicines and cholesterol-lowering agents as it obstructs the work of enzymes in the intestines that metabolize quite a number of drugs. This does not mean that all citrus fruits have this enzyme. However, Grapefruit contains an active element that generates this effect. One should avoid Grapefruit juice during the treatment of heart disease especially with some heart medicines. Some of the popular cholesterol-lowering agents have shown negative outcomes when consumed with grapefruit juice. These include simvastatin (Zocor), atorvastatin (Lipitor) and lovastatin (Mevacor).

Last Word

Although, Simvastatin has very few and rare side effects, it is advisable to contact the doctor in case of a backlash.

Original article