What You Need To Know About Congestive Heart Failure

Most people get alarmed when they hear the words "congestive heart failure", especially when they are told it's a condition a loved one has, or worse, they themselves have. Though this particular condition is considered by doctors as serious, its life-threatening complications can be controlled or delayed for many years if it is diagnosed in its earlier stages.

What exactly is congestive heart failure, and what causes it?

The heart's primary function is to pump blood to the lungs to be able to pick up oxygen. Once the oxygenated blood is returned to the heart, it is then pumped out into the circulatory system of blood vessels and redistributed to the other parts of the body.

Heart failure happens when the organ either fails to pump blood out with enough force or can't be filled with enough blood. This type of heart condition results when, because of the heart's incapacity to pump as well as it should, blood is not efficiently distributed throughout the body and, along with other fluids, starts to back up.

Some of the many factors that can cause congestive heart failure include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)
• Diabetes
• Diseases or infections that can weaken or stiffen the heart muscles
• Diseases that demand a level of oxygen the heart cannot supply continuously
• High blood pressure that can cause the thickening of the heart muscles
• Constant exposure to toxins like tobacco, cocaine, or alcohol
• Prolonged cardiac arrhythmia and damaged heart valves
• Unhealthy lifestyle such as smoking and lack of regular exercise

It is said that each year, in the United States alone, an average of 550,000 people join the 5 million individuals who already have congenital heart failure. Though this condition is more common among people ages 65 and above, it can strike anyone at any age. Its effects can be devastating, especially if undetected, so it is best to be armed with knowledge when it comes to identifying the symptoms of congestive heart failure.

There are four congestive heart failure stages, each one with more devastating symptoms than the last, and though there is no known and definite cure to this condition, there are treatments that can help improve an individual's state so long as they are still at its earlier stages.

So what are its most common and earliest symptoms? If you are experiencing most, if not all, of the signs below, then it is time to consult your healthcare provider:

• Shortness of breath

When there is fluid back up in the lungs, shortness of breath results. A person with congestive heart failure experiences shortness of breath during exercise or even while at rest.

• Fatigue

Patients experience fatigue even after light activities. The ability to cope up with daily chores or exercise may be diminished.

• Swelling of the ankles, legs, or abdomen

This is mostly caused by fluid retention in the body.

• Chest pains, persistent cough, and decreased level of alertness

Knowing the causes and symptoms of congestive heart failure will greatly help you determine if the condition exists early on, thus allowing you to seek medical help while you still can.

Molly Sanders is a fitness enthusiast who occasionally writes for Symptoms for Congestive Heart Failure. She is a firm believer of healthy living and, despite a busy schedule babysitting active grandchildren,finds time to help educate people on congestive heart failure stages to promote awareness of serious heart conditions.

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About Cholesterol - Nine Secrets You Won't Learn From Your Doctor

It seems that nowadays everyone is concerned about their cholesterol. Since high cholesterol is associated with clogged arteries and heart disease, just the term 'cholesterol' conjures up negative feelings. But there is another side to cholesterol that most people have never heard. Knowing the following nine 'secrets' may forever alter your thinking about having lower cholesterol.

First - Cholesterol is an extremely vital substance for proper fetal and newborn development. During pregnancy, a mother's cholesterol levels increase dramatically. Why? Because cholesterol is being transferred to the baby via the placenta to insure healthy development of the brain and nervous system. The brain requires more cholesterol than any other organ in the body. After the baby is born, his/her mother's milk then supplies the baby with additional amount, assuring the continual, on-going development of the brain and nervous system.

Second - Guess what? Your brain and nervous system need cholesterol, too. Cholesterol is required by neurons to form synapses (connections) with other cells. Some recent studies have shown that drugs that inhibit the liver from making cholesterol may also keep the brain from making it, resulting in reduced brain function. Alzheimers and other neural degenerative diseases are on the suspect list of statin side effects, since statins lower cholesterol levels.

Third- Serotonin, the body's "feel good" chemical, cannot do its job if cholesterol levels are too low. Depression, suicidal tendencies, or aggressive behavior can result.

Fourth- Cholesterol is an effective anti-oxidant. Cholesterol's anti-free radical activity neutralizes the damaging effects of fatty acids and free radicals in the tissues. As such, cholesterol fights inflammation, infections, and cancer!

Fifth-Many of our hormones depend on cholesterol. Cholesterol makes up the hormones that help us deal with stress, hormones that regulate blood sugar levels, and all the sex hormones, including estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone.

Sixth- Cholesterol is a leading repair mechanism. It's found at all wound sites, and is present in the arterial walls where inflammation has set in. It puts 'patches' on the arterial walls that have been eroded by bad diet. No new cell can form without cholesterol.

Seventh- Cholesterol is found in all your cell membranes and provides rigidity, structure, and 'water-proofing'. Its presence insures that your cells maintain their integrity - without enough cholesterol in your tissues, your cells would become either too fluid, or too firm.

Eighth- Cholesterol is necessary for the formation of Vitamin D in your body. Vitamin D deficiency has been implicated in cancer, diabetes, heart disease, osteoporosis, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, muscle pain, and auto immune disease.

Ninth- Cholesterol is necessary for the digestion of fats. Cholesterol is used in the making of bile acids, which in turn are changed to bile salts, which are essential for the digesting and assimilating of fats.

So there you have it. Certain levels of cholesterol are needed by the body for it to maintain good health. Think about it if your doctor tells you you need to lower your cholesterol...even lower!

I research information concerning current health trends, uncover the myths that keep people from making wise decisions, and provide natural remedies that will dramatically increase the potential for living disease free.
I'm the mother of five children and have six grand-daughters.
http://www.haveahealthyheartnow.com/

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All About Cholesterol - A Brief Overview

What is cholesterol you might ask and where did it come from?

Well, it is a fat or a lipid that is produced by the liver as these Greek words imply - chole meaning "bile" and stereos which means "solid". But not all cholesterol comes from the liver. Some of it actually comes from the foods we eat mainly from certain plants and animals.

The Importance of Cholesterol

Why is cholesterol important?

Cholesterol has many uses and the function it brings to our body is numerous. It acts as an enzyme synthesizer which is important for fat metabolism. It is also involved in the production of estrogen and androgens which are our sex hormones. Cholesterol also is a primary contributor for the building and maintenance of body cells. Basically, cholesterol itself is good and is used for several body functions.

The Different Types of Cholesterol
LDL (low density lipoprotein) or also known as the bad cholesterol. This type of lipid is stereotyped as "bad" because an increase or excess amount of it can cause blockage or thickening of the arterial walls. If this happens, a person may have higher risk of having arterial and heart disease.HDL (high density lipoprotein) or also known as the good cholesterol is the total opposite of its twin. This type of lipid primarily functions as a scraper which scrapes off excess bad cholesterol away from the blood stream and arterial walls and then pushes them towards the liver for excretion.Triglyceride is another type of lipid that is also found in the bloodstream along with the other types of cholesterol. It serves as a storage of unused calories which is later on used for energy. High amounts of it can also put you at risk of heart disease.

The Normal Levels of Cholesterol

Below is a quick guide and reference that shows the normal values of the different types of cholesterol.
Total cholesterol should be less than 200mg/dLLDL should be less than 100 mg/dLHDL levels should be more than 50 mg/dLTriglycerides should be less than 150 mg/dL

Risks and Dangers for Having High Cholesterol

An abnormal or a huge discrepancy on any of the normal levels of cholesterol can bring numerous debilitating health conditions - coronary heart disease, atherosclerosis, stroke, chest pains or angina and heart attacks to name a few.

Who's at greater risk? It could be you! Have your cholesterol levels screened and take necessary actions before it's too late.

Paul is a heart conscious person and loves to share information about cholesterol and why is high cholesterol bad. To learn more what cause high cholesterol and other sure fire methods to decrease cholesterol naturally, sign up and claim your FREE mini-course by clicking on the links provided.

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Fish Oil Supplements and Important Information for Menopausal Women About Heart Disease

Women approaching menopause have symptoms caused by estrogen levels that are waning. One of the biggest killers of post menopausal women is heart disease. This is news to many women who are not aware that they are at risk for heart disease. Because of this women must educate themselves and become knowledgeable regarding the fact that after age 65 they no longer are safer from heart problems than men as they have been in the past.

There are various risks besides age for heart disease among menopausal women, including heredity, diabetes, smoking, high blood pressure, obesity, and inactivity. Each one of these factors adds to the danger of having heart problems up to and including a fatal heart attack. Research is only now beginning to understand and study how the risks of heart disease in women are different than for men.

The symptoms of heart attack can be even different than those men experience. A woman might experience extreme fatigue, difficulty breathing, feel faint, nausea and vomiting, become anxious, sweat freely, have burning abdominal pain, and/or experience neck and shoulder pain.

In order to limit the chances of heart problems menopausal women need to educate themselves in various areas. Know your blood pressure and cholesterol numbers. If you have conditions that put you at risk, discuss with your doctor how you could best limit those risks.

Modify your diet and limit your consumption of sugar, fat, and limit your consumption of processed foods which are notoriously high in sodium. Make small changes like adding more fruits and vegetables to your daily meals. Trade high fat foods for low fat dairy along with whole grains. Avoid salt and fried foods. Begin reading labels. You will be surprised at what is hidden in the foods we consume. Just a few small changes increased over time will make major changes in your health.

It is extremely important, if you smoke, to stop. Stopping is difficult, but if you value your life you will find a way to stop. Smoking is not only detrimental to the health of the smoker but to anyone who is nearby. This is especially true for children of smokers.

Start getting regular exercise. You can join a gym and have a trainer help you decide what kind and how much exercise you need, especially if you are trying to lose weight. But, you can just start by getting up off the couch and take a walk., adding distance gradually. You could actually get to the point that you look forward to exercise. What ever you do keep moving.

Life is stressful for us all; however, in order to live heart healthy you must try to limit stress as much as possible. To help with stress, exercise, take a yoga class, take time to meditate. If you work in a stressful environment take time to take a break and just take a short walk or try deep breathing exercises.

Adding a natural fish oil supplement will also contribute to a heart healthy lifestyle. Research has shown that fish oil contributes to heart health. This is so because fish is a good source of protein and unlike fatty meat products; it is no high in saturated fat. Fish and fish oil is high in omega-3 fatty acids. These fatty acids benefit the heart of healthy people as well as those with cardiovascular disease. These fatty acids also act to decrease triglyceride levels.

Virginia takes a keen interest in all maters relating to health and fitness. She also does research in the areas of natural dietary supplements.

I am sure you are concerned about your health; therefore. I suggest you Visit Fish Oil Supplement to obtain additional information on the best natural fish oil supplement on the market.

http://stayhealthyinfo.com/

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Knowing About The Heart Attack

The heart supplies blood to the various tissues in the body. The blood supplies oxygen and the various nutrients needed by the tissues. The heart also needs blood supply and this is provided by the coronary arteries which branch out from the aorta and go back to the heart. During a heart attack, one or, more of the coronary arteries get blocked due to plaque formation and accumulation. This leads to reduction in the blood supply and therefore, oxygen supply to the regions of the heart affected. The cardiac muscle in these areas gets injured and this is called myocardial infarction.

Cardiac Arrest

A heart event may be mild, moderate in nature or, massive, depending on the number of coronary arteries affected and the extent of block. A cardiac arrest leads to the complete stopping of the heart. A heart attack is not the same as a cardiac arrest. However, a massive attack may lead to a cardiac arrest.

Are women safe?

There is a widely accepted view that men are more susceptible to heart disease than women. There is some truth in this. Between the ages of 40 and 50 men are more likely to get heart problems. Women are naturally protected against heart disease through the actions of the female sex hormone estrogen. However, after the onset of menopause, this protection disappears and the risk for heart attacks is nearly the same for both men and women. In fact, heart disease kills more women than any other disease in the US.

What to do in case of a heart attack

A heart attack is always sudden and seldom gives advance warning. So, there is no question of an individual being prepared. Also, the development of the plaque in the coronary arteries is a silent process and it takes several years to reach the stage of an attack. The commonest symptom is pain in the chest. However, some other symptom or, symptoms may be present. Sweating, nausea, breathlessness and pain in other parts of the body such as neck, back, or jaw are also seen. A heart attack is not the time to take rest. The individual must be taken to the hospital immediately.

Preventive measures

The ideal action to prevent heart attacks would be to bring about a reduction the risk factors which provoke it. The risk factors include:
1. Inactivity
2. Obesity
3. Alcoholism
4. Smoking
5. Hypertension
6. Healthy diet

Dr.Vangeepuram Satakopan

The website indicated is full of information about various aspects of health. Articles on diseases and conditions and the principal mechanisms involved are discussed in depth. Nutritive aspects of different food groups are also dealt with. The articles are also accompanied by relevant and colorful pictures.

http://healthtodayandtomorrow.blogspot.com/

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What Leads To Heart Attack - 6 Things You Must Know About

A heart attack is a leading cause of death all over the world. The other name of attack is myocardial infarction. It occurs when the oxygen rich blood flow is blocked to some parts of the heart muscles. If the blood flow is not restored quickly, it can cause death. Discomfort in the chest, shortness of breath, vomiting, restlessness, nausea, coughing, dizziness and crushing chest pain are some of the symptom of attack. If you experience any of these symptoms or see any other person experiencing them, you need to seek the emergency services immediately.

6 Things That Lead To Heart Attacks

Age

The most important risk factor of attacks is age. Men aged above 45 years and women aged above 55 years are more susceptible to the risk of attack. Arteries supply oxygen rich blood to other parts of the body. As you age, they become firm and less flexible. This in turn causes elevate blood pressure. As your heart needs to adjust to the increase in blood pressure, it becomes vulnerable to damages.

Diet and Lifestyle

Diet plays a crucial role in increasing the risk of heart attacks. If you take animal fats and saturated fats in large quality, your risk of having attack is more. High fat, sugary, salt laden foods are enemies to your heart. Unhealthy lifestyle can also lead to attack. A study shows that people who do not exercise are more likely to get a heart attack than people who exercise regularly. Smoking is another important risk factor that causes heart attacks.

Genes

If your parents or grandparents had heart diseases, your risk of getting a attack is high. Heart disease is normally inherited from genes.

Obesity and Overweight

Nowadays, many people suffer from the problem of overweight and obesity. A study shows that 15% of children and adolescents in the U.S. are overweight. Overweight children become overweight adults and they have an increased risk of dying from heart attack or some other heart disease.

Blood Cholesterol Levels

If your blood cholesterol level is high, you are at the risk of developing blood clots in the arteries. These blood clots can block blood flow to the heart muscle, causing attack. High cholesterol increases the risk of developing atherosclerosis, a condition caused by hardening of the arteries, which damages arteries and other tissues in the heart. It increases the risk of stroke and attacks.

Diabetes

Diabetes is one of the main risk factors of attacks. High blood glucose increases the risk of attack. 65% of people with diabetes die from heart diseases.

If you realize that you have the risk of having a heart attack, you need to take some steps immediately. Reaching and maintaining a healthy weight, eating foods low in saturated fats, cholesterol and sugar, quitting smoking, getting at least 30 minutes of physical activity daily and taking medications to keep diabetes under control can help prevent attack.

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Wondering About Heart Problems - Start With a Practical Approach

One of the most important things for any individual to always do first and foremost, if they ever suspect that they have heart problems, is to always go to a doctor, tell the doctor what they suspect and get a physical exam.

Second, the best practical healthy things to do for the regular person is to (1) make sure that they are fully aware of the state of their health and (2) to get knowledge about the body and in this case, knowledge about the heart and what is heart failure.

Before anything has happened, if an individual wants to become knowledgeable about the heart, or be in the know, then a good place to start will be to learn, in general, about all the various common heart issues and conditions. And to get definitions for exact functions of the heart as well as what can go wrong. So education and understanding is a major part of the process. All of this general knowledge is available on the internet and we provide a source for this practical information. When unknown negative heart health circumstances are suspected, a good place to begin is to make notes and identify exactly what occurred, symptoms etc., and to learn to understand the situation. Reading the definitions of common heart problems is always a good place to start to gain knowledge.

How the Heart Works: The heart is a very strong muscle as it must work non stop to circulate the blood around the body. Blood returns into the top of the heart after all the oxygen has been used up in the blood and then that blood is pumped by the heart up into the lungs to obtain more oxygen. Then the returning oxygenated blood from the lungs flows back through the heart and is pumped out into the body to provide oxygen for the entire body.

Failing Heart: When the term heart failure is used it means that the heart is not working properly enough to completely supply the needs of the lungs and body. Therefore heart failure is a general term that is used to describe the situation that results when the heart is failing to do its job. So heart failure is the heart failing to work at its full capacity or to do 100 percent of its job. Therefore taking time to learn about all of the various common heart situations that can occur is valuable.

There are many symptoms associated with heart conditions from weakness to dizziness to chest pain. Only doctors have the ability to properly and exactly evaluate the meanings of the symptoms. However the definitions of the symptoms of common heart problems are easy to find on the internet plus all are well documented and can be read about to gain knowledge. As mentioned, we provide a source for this practical information.

Conclusion: One of the best practical health things to do for the regular individual, to make sure that they are fully aware of the conditions associated with heart health, is to gain a basic understanding about the heart and what is heart failure.

This article is written and presented by Jeff Kiniski of the What Is Heart Failure website to help the regular individuals who are seeking general answers for understanding the heart and heart problems. http://whatisheartfailure.com/

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What You Should Know About Heat Stroke and TIA Stroke

Heat stroke and TIA stroke are disorders that are highly preventable if you know how to take care of yourself. Prevention starts by learning about what diseases are such as their causes, signs and symptoms and the particular treatment methods. When you are aware of these information, then you will be able to avoid these disorders.

Heat stroke or also referred to as sun stroke is a medical condition that is life-threatening, brought about by increased body temperature that eventually causes damage to the different organs of the body. According to statistics, there are about 700 people who die yearly of heat stroke in the United States. Heat stroke happens when the temperature of the body goes beyond 40.5 degree Celsius and when the cooling system of the body stops working. This is a medical emergency that needs to be promptly treated since it can lead to death.

There are two ways in which heat stroke happens. The first one is when the cooling mechanisms of a person are impaired and the other is when a person does strenuous activities in a very hot environment. Those who are at risk of developing sun stroke are infants, athletes, the elderly and those who work outdoors. The signs and symptoms of heat stroke include nausea and vomiting, fatigue and body weakness, headaches, dizziness and muscle cramps. There is also the absence of perspiration and extremely high body temperature, rapid pulse, flushed and red skin, difficulty of breathing, confusion, disorientation and seizures.

To treat heat stroke, rehydration is very important to ensure that the blood flow within the body is still normal. Oral fluids are important such as cool sports drinks with less glucose. If oral fluids are not tolerated, then IV fluids should be used. The person should also be staying in a cool environment and adequate rest is required. There are different methods of making the body cool down, including evaporation, immersion and placing ice packs under the armpits and the groin. However, the temperature should be brought down and maintained at 38.5 - 39 degree Celsius so as not to make the body too cold.

On the other hand, transient ischemic attack or TIA stroke is a neurologic disorder caused by a blood clot in the brain, spinal cord or the retina. This is also called mini stroke since tissue death does not happen even if there is a disruption in the cerebral blood flow. It should not be taken lightly since when it is not treated, worse attacks can happen that will eventually lead to ischemic stroke.

The manifestations of TIA stroke include weakness and numbness that occurs in the face, the arms or the legs that happens suddenly, and is usually localized on one side of the body. There can also be confusion, slurred speech, blurring of vision, inability to maintain balance and coordination, dizziness and headache. These symptoms can occur rapidly and can last for only a short time. However, you should seek for immediate treatment since this can lead to a major stroke. The treatment is focused on lowering down the blood pressure, the cholesterol and lipid levels. There will be medications given to you such as aspirin to help dissolve the clot and prevent further clot formation. There will also be blood pressure lowering medications, anti-platelet drugs and medicines that lower down your cholesterol levels.

If TIA stroke and heat stroke are not treated immediately, there are several complications that can happen. But you can always avoid them when you know how to avoid having these disorders.

For more information on Different Types of Diseases, Symptoms and Diagnoses, Please visit: Heat Stroke and TIA Stroke.

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