The Modern Epidemic of Heart Disease

By Dave Saunders

Cardiovascular diseases considered to be a modern day epidemic. At the beginning of the 20th century cardiovascular disease was so infrequent that was barely recognized. Today, we have more than a 50% chance of Donnie from heart disease. In the United States alone, more than 50 million people suffer from cardiovascular disease, a disease that barely affected our great-grandparents.

For many the first sign of cardiovascular disease is the life-threatening catastrophe that frequently ends in loss of life. Approximately 25% of those who experience a heart attack had no prior symptoms before the event.

In an effort to provide early detection for heart disease, cholesterol levels have been checked for the past several years. However research shows that cholesterol levels are only 50% predictive of a heart attack. In other words 50% of those who have heart attacks also have normal, non-drug altered cholesterol levels. In 2004 the American Heart Association recommended that C Reactive Protein tests become the standard for detecting signs of heart disease risk. This test is considered to be 80% predictive of a heart attack. Unfortunately CRP tests are not commonly administered today.

Many people don’t worry about heart disease until they pass their 40s. New studies are showing that signs of cardiovascular diseases can be detected in our teenage years. In one study one in six teenagers, who died in accidents, were found to have early signs of clogged arteries.

Because heart disease is a progressive condition that takes many years to develop into a diagnosable situation, we are never too young to begin thinking about good health and a healthy lifestyle that promotes good cardiovascular wellbeing.

Exercise is a simple change to our lifestyle that can improve cardiovascular health. It is never too late to benefits from increased physical activity. A simple walking program can assist in weight loss, strengthening of the heart muscle, improved blood flow, reduction of blood pressure and the raising of the good HDL cholesterol while lowering the bad LDL cholesterol. Sustained exercise also produces a metabolic by-product called lactic acid which is a natural chelating agent.

Dietary changes can also be very beneficial in reversing and preventing cardiovascular disease. Total fat intake is not the main problem when it comes to coronary heart disease. Instead it is the type of fat consumed that is a significant factor. Trans fatty acids can raise the bad LDL cholesterol levels while lowering the good HDL cholesterol levels while omega-3 fatty acids help the body reduce inflammation and contribute to the good function of living cells throughout the body.

Research published in the 1950s revealed a link between the consumption of refined sugar and heart disease. Highly refined foods may actually lower the body’s resistance to bacterial viruses in East which can lead to inflammation in both the heart and the arteries. Refined sugar can also lead to deficiencies in the vitamin B complex which is needed for healthy cardiovascular function.

The most effective weapon against cardiovascular disease is applied knowledge. An absence of symptoms is not an absence of disease, and by making simple improvements to your lifestyle you can improve your chances against having to deal with a totally preventable condition like heart disease.

As a national speaker on health and wellness, Dave Saunders has been helping people discover the amazing truth about how the body is able to restore, defend and protect itself against the effects of injury and disease. Make optimal health a reality: Discover vital truths about health and wellness at www.glycowellness.com.

Article Source: EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dave_Saunders

               

Reversing Heart Disease - Rewind Your Life Clock

By Michael Haydon

You can play your part in reversing heart disease by simply making some adjustments to your lifestyle. It’s a simple concept but so many people fail to make the small changes that can have such a massive impact in avoiding heart disease. Avoiding key risks can help you not only maintain a healthy heart but also lengthen your life.

When you put it simply, your heart is a pump that feeds blood through your body and all you have to do is make sure the pathways are clear. This means keeping your arteries clear so the flow goes on unimpeded. Blocked arteries lead to heart problems, heart attacks and death. It’s as simple as that. We have all heard this so many times it can often go unheeded, and that is where the real problem lies. If you maintain unclogged arteries you are actually reversing heart disease and, therefore, healing your own heart.

Reversing Heart Disease - Your Action Plan

It’s all a matter of diet and exercise. If you can keep your diet free of dangerous saturated fats and cholesterol, you will be well on the way to reversing heart disease. There is so much information on diets and tips on how to structure a diet comprising elements of the five food groups, that there is no longer an excuse for endangering your health. Some social commentators have suggested that health authorities can do little more in this regard short of forcing people to eat correctly by admitting them to dieting compounds where food is compulsorily healthy. This tongue in cheek assessment is just another way of saying your life s in your own hands. You can play your individual part in reversing heart disease by following the simple dieting rules available everywhere.

How Exercise Helps

Reversing heart disease is easily achieved if you simply get more exercise. With regular exercise, your heart becomes more efficient. The exercise does not have to be a complicated set of routines specially designed by an exercise physiologist. It can be achieved once again by making a few simple changes to the options you take every day. For example, you could walk instead of taking a bus. Take the stairs instead of the elevator, or simply walk around your neighborhood once a day, or just go for a relaxing stroll after dinner.

Surgery – The Last Option

Of course, surgery may be the last resort for reversing heart disease, but in my mind the prospect of surgery should be as great a deterrent as anything you can imagine. Whilst it is something of a comfort to know that surgery can be effective, surely prevention is better than cure. In any case, surgery will only be effective in acute cases and unless the cause is treated then you may face subsequent surgery if you don’t do what we have already suggested. In summary, to be active in reversing heart disease, you have to adopt a twin pronged attack. You just need to diet sensibly and exercise regularly. It’s not the end of the world to do this; in fact it could be the end of your world if you don’t!

Make it your challenge now to do at least one thing every day to get yourself in a strong position where reversing heart disease becomes a natural part of your thinking and lifestyle. Set an example to your friends and family and you’ll bear the boundless fruits of a healthy heart.

Michael is the owner of Your Healthy Heart, the BEST site for healthy heart options and information. You will also find great tips on the best healthy options and action plans for a healthy heart at Your Healthy Heart

Article Source: EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Haydon