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High blood pressure is a sneaky ailment. The condition has no symptoms that you can see or feel. Having your blood pressure checked is the only way to know if it is high.
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A study in the New England Journal of Medicine showed that following the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet reduced blood pressure.
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Risk factors are things that make you more likely to have a disease or condition. Do you know your risk factors for high blood pressure?
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High blood pressure (hypertension) is called the silent killer. This is because many people who have it don't know it. You can take an easy test to see if your blood pressure is too high. If it is high, you can take steps to lower it. Doing so could save your life.
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Several kinds of medicine are commonly prescribed for high blood pressure. Here are some of the main types.
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You can take your own blood pressure reading using a digital monitor.Blood pressure is the force of blood as it moves from the heart through the blood vessels. You can take your own blood pressure reading using a digital monitor. Take readings as often as your doctor instructs. Take each reading at the same time of day.
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High cholesterol contributes to heart disease, which kills more Americans than all cancers combined.
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High cholesterol is one of the leading risk factors for the development of coronary heart disease. High cholesterol levels can be lowered by diet and exercise or medicine.
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Scientists have learned that other substances may give you and your doctor new clues about your heart disease risk. And that's good news. Coronary heart disease, in which fatty deposits build up in your arteries, is the nation's top killer.
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There's evidence that people who respond rigidly to anger-provoking events are likely to wind up with significantly elevated levels of heart-damaging cholesterol.
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Managing your cholesterol may seem complicated these days. Trying to remember the difference between "good" and "bad" cholesterol and maintaining the proper levels of each can seem intimidating.
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There are different kinds of fats in the foods you eat. Fats can be saturated or unsaturated. Planning meals that are low in saturated fat helps reduce the level of cholesterol in your blood. A healthy goal is to have less than 30% of your daily calories come from fat. Instead of fats, eat more fruits, grains, and vegetables.
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What you eat has a big effect on your body's cholesterol level. Eating certain foods can raise your cholesterol. Other foods can help you lower it. Watching what you eat can help you get your cholesterol level under control.
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The higher your blood cholesterol, the greater your risk for heart attack or stroke. That's why you need to know your cholesterol level.
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A buildup of cholesterol can cause a decrease in blood flow in the same way that buildup inside a pipe limits the flow of water. The buildup in your arteries is especially dangerous if it narrows the path to the heart and brain. To keep cholesterol low, you need to eat a nutritionally appropriate diet and exercise.
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Eating healthy can reduce your risk of illness and lengthen your life. Eating a balanced, low-fat, low-cholesterol diet reduces your risk of heart disease, certain cancers, diabetes, stroke and other diseases. Follow these tips to help improve your diet.
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Although some studies show people on these diets can lose weight in the short term, questions remain as to whether they can maintain their weight loss and their health over time.
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Omega-3s are a beneficial and essential form of fat, one that your body needs but can't make.
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Eating healthy for your heart doesn't have to be hard or boring. You just need to know how to make healthier choices. That means eating mostly foods that are low in fat and high in fiber.
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Remember these four key points, which are the basics of good nutrition:
Balance. Eat a mix of different types of food from each level of the pyramid.
Variety. Choose a wide range of foods of different colors.
Flexibility. Find an eating plan that fits your schedule and tastes.
Moderation. Avoid too much of any one food.
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When making a meal out of fast food, the key is not to overdo it. To begin with, don't get into a rut when you order. Balance high-fat foods with low-fat choices. Try the following trade-offs.
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Fiber is what gives strength and structure to plants. Most grains, beans, vegetables, and fruits contain fiber. Foods rich in fiber are often low in calories and fat, and they fill you up more. They may also reduce your risks for certain health problems.
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Most people with heart problems, including high blood pressure, need to eat less salt, or sodium. Here are ideas on how to do that.
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You don't have to give up eating out to cut down on fat, cholesterol, and salt. You just need to think about what you order. Many menus highlight low-fat and low-sodium dishes. But if you can't find what you want, ask.
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Food is your body's fuel. You can't live without it. The key is to give your body enough nutrients and energy without eating too much. Learn new eating habits to manage your weight.
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Physical inactivity is just as big a risk factor for heart disease as high blood pressure and smoking are. So, be the exception rather than the rule. Here are eight ways to exercise for a healthier heart.
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Unlike other muscles, your heart muscle does not tire from use. Your heart is like other muscles, however, in that it needs exercise to work efficiently. What kind of exercise would that be? All it takes is a brisk 30-minute walk most days of the week.
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If you're looking for a reason to exercise, try this one: A routine workout may help ward off blood clots, the villains behind most heart attacks. You suffer a heart attack when a blood clot forms in an artery, blocking oxygen-rich blood from reaching the heart.
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A big part of a cardiac rehab program is exercise. Regular exercise will make your heart and coronary arteries healthier. It helps increase strength, lower blood pressure, relieve stress, and control your weight.
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You may wonder how you can improve the health of your heart. If you're thinking about exercise, you're on the right track. You don't need to become an athlete, but you do need a certain amount of brisk exercise.
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Exercise is a lot more than an energy booster and a stress reliever. It also strengthens your heart muscle, lowers your blood pressure and blood cholesterol, and burns calories.
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Good warm-ups and cool-downs can keep you from getting hurt when you do more intense aerobic activities that last 30 minutes or longer.
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Working out when you have a serious illness or health problem can be challenging. But for most people who have health issues, exercising can improve their prognosis and well-being. In fact, exercise can play an important role in helping you cope with or recover from a health challenge or accident.
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Simply put, inactivity is hazardous to your health. Study after study has shown that being inactive nearly doubles your risk of heart disease.
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When it comes to lowering your risk for heart disease or heart attack, being physically active is as important as eating a healthy diet and not smoking.
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If you think that you can't begin a strength-training program because you have heart disease, think again.
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Heart disease is a killer, but you can do plenty to reduce your risk and prolong your life. Research shows that making lifestyle changes can decrease your risk of cardiovascular heart disease and help you control it if you already have it.
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There isn't anything good that can be said about smoking. It's bad for your health and the health of those around you. Now, on a positive note, do you know how much money you could save if you quit smoking today?
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Drinking can be an expensive habit. While you may not notice a dollar here or two dollars there, consider how much you spend per week and per year on alcohol.
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Smoking has been linked with many serious illnesses. It also has been shown to increase signs of aging.
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Quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do to keep your heart disease from getting worse. Smoking reduces oxygen flow to your heart, speeds plaque buildup, and increases your risk for heart attack.
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Mental stress does more than diminish your sense of well-being. It also can increase your risk for heart disease.
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Lower your risk: Control stress. When you're stressed, your heartbeat speeds up and your blood pressure skyrockets. The next time you feel tension taking over, sit back and look at what's bothering you.
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Alcohol may have some health benefits, including lowering the risk for heart disease, but it may also lead to abusive drinking and other diseases.
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The average American older than 65 takes two to seven prescription drugs daily; managing these medications properly is essential for good health.
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Drug-drug interactions occur when one drug interacts or interferes with another drug. Such interactions are dangerous because they can alter the way one or both of the drugs act in the body. They can also cause unexpected side effects. The following information can help you avoid drug-drug interactions.
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If you have more than two medications to manage, consider getting a pill organizer -- a special container marked with the days of the week. Besides housing multiple medications, a compartmentalized organizer can be useful for keeping track of the medications you've taken.
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Medication can be a key tool in managing heart disease. You may need several types. Some medications can help prevent the blood clots that cause heart attacks. Others can help control cholesterol, diabetes, and high blood pressure.
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Learn what type of medication you're taking, what it treats, and how to take it safely. If you have questions about why you need a medication or how it works, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Medications are prescribed in just the right doses for your heart condition. They work only if you take them exactly as directed.
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Medication can give you the extra help you need to control your cholesterol. If medication is prescribed, be sure to take it exactly as directed.
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Medicine can help keep you healthy. But if you don't take it correctly, it could harm you. Your doctor or pharmacist can help you learn the right way to take your medicine.
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According to the American Heart Association, there are five main types of cholesterol-lowering medications.
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Whether you take prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicine, or both, there are important guidelines to follow to get the most from them.
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Colds and the flu can be serious for people with heart disease.Colds and the flu can be serious for people with heart disease. Not only are you at risk for pneumonia, but it's hard to tell whether your symptoms are a sign of a cold or of worsening heart failure.
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If you are like most people with heart disease, you have several providers who each treat you for a different health issue.
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