Archive for December, 2010

Dec 07, 2010 Posted Under: Heart Disease

Heart Attack Treatment Tips

Heart attack treatment has remained a common talk of the world as there is overall belief that no healthcare delivery facility is ideal for proper management of heart attacks. The good news is that heart attack treatment and prevention are available to people who are ready to adhere to certain precautionary measures.

All said and done, the few most important things one needs to do when ever heart attack symptoms are identified is to give the right first aid to the patient, before any medical assistance arrives. There are some important once we shall discuss. Fist and foremost, the patient needs to relax and come out of stress.


Cayenne strengthens every blood vessel in the body including tiny capillaries that bring nutrients and oxygen to every cell and remove the toxic waste products from the cells. Hot peppers even keep the blood from sticking together preventing dangerous clots. All of these actions help cayenne prevent heart attacks and strokes. Herbalists agree that hot peppers are the number one herb for the heart.

Your diet can be a big factor in your risk for a heart attack. A diet high in saturated fat and cholesterol can narrow your hearts arteries. Instead eat heart healthy meals with lots of fruits and vegetables and omega 3-fatty acids. Along with diet and exercise, managing stress, and doing things like not smoking and limiting your alcohol intake can assist in the prevention and treatment for a heart attack.

Chest discomfort – this occurs in the center of the chest and may last a few minutes. It feels like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain. This discomfort may also be mild or severe and it may come and go. Discomfort can also extend to other parts of the body such as both arms, the back, neck, jaw and even the stomach.

Diets control is another noteworthy factor in the cure and treatment of a heart attack. Prescribed diets are those that limit calories. Also the restrictions in sodium and cholesterol intake are very important. The physical educator can work with the dietician in teaching the patient suffering from heart disease the rationale of the diet as well as helping him plan appetising menus that conform to the diet prescription.

In medical terms, a heart attack is called myocardial infarction, since there is no blood supply to the cells of the heart muscle – myocardium. It is also called coronary thrombosis or coronary occlusion. The forming of plaque is called atherosclerosis. This process of plaque building up occurs even from the childhood stage, often in an asymptomatic manner.

Eat healthy in combination with exercise. It is important to eat foods that are low in cholesterol and saturated fat. The in take of omega-3 fatty acids reduces the chances of sudden death. It is also important to eat on time and in small portions. Skipping meals leads to heartburn, which causes unnecessary complications. A low amount of spice, salt and fatty substances ensures a healthier heart.

Before the patient is discharged from the hospital, a treadmill test and angiography is performed to verify if the patient is experiencing pain. A rehabilitation course is prescribed that helps in healing the heart faster. These include lifestyle changes, medication, and tips to lead stress-free lives.

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Dec 04, 2010 Posted Under: Exercises

Cardiovascular Routines

One of the highly recommended ways to losing weight is to adopt a handful of cardiovascular routines. There is a whole list of such exercises, which will hone your body; all the while you are having fun doing the exercise.

Swimming is considered to be amongst the best cardiovascular exercises for everyone, since water has the tendency to lower the tension on your body.

This is why it is preferred for older people, especially those having joint pains, etc. While swimming, you will be able to burn a lot more calories than in any other way.

One more option that you have is walking. Those who have problems in moving around briskly, they can start off with walking. Even though, walking doesn’t let a lot of calories to be burnt, you will surely stay healthy, if you take out at least one hour a day for walking.

People who are more fit and healthy, they can go for jogging, since jogging is one of the most effective cardiovascular exercises, which helps you reduce your body fat by increasing the rate of your heart. But, it should be kept in mind that jogging may give your body extra tension.

A very good exercise, which serves dual purposes, is biking. You can use it for going from one place to another, and you will be getting your necessary cardiovascular exercise, without any additional stress.

Other than that, if you want to add some social activities to your exercise list, it is recommended that you go for tennis or basketball. The latter is highly effective for toning your legs.

And tennis on the other hand requires speed and continuous motion, giving your heart rate a boost and making you fit. Plus you will get a chance to meet other people while playing.

In order to stay healthy, pick any one or more than one above given exercises.

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Dec 01, 2010 Posted Under: Health

Dealing With Gout

While gout is considered a form of arthritis, it is actually more along the lines of a kidney difficulty. That’s because gout is caused by uric acid crystals dropped off into your joints, usually starting with your right big toe.

The function of your kidneys is to remove impurities such as uric acid from your blood stream and expel it in urine. If there is an overabundance of this waste product, or if your kidneys don’t function properly, it simply gets recirculated. As it increases, it forms the crystals. When they become too heavy to be moved easily, they get left behind.

There are two steps to relieving gout and preventing a relapse. One is to get rid of the acid and the other is to reduce inflammation. Both steps can be done, and often with home remedies. To help you find the answers you need, let me pose some of the questions I get asked on the topic:

1) What causes uric acid to be formed? It’s a waste product of a component of protein, called purine. Purine can be found in all protein sources, including vegetables like beans.

2) How can I prevent buildup? Watch the purine content of what you eat. While most people say that you should avoid all red meat, I suggest you eliminate foods by the level of purine in them, no matter what the product. There are some cuts of both beef and pork that have less than boneless/skinless chicken breast.

3) I’m having a flare up right now, what should I do? Cut back on protein, drink cherry juice and eat a lot of red fruits and vegetables. While tart cherries and the juice are the best, strawberries and even apples can help. Watch the sugar content, as adding high fructose corn syrup can make other conditions, such as diabetes, worse.

4) Besides protein, what else do I need to watch? Some medications and herbs could cause flare ups. A good example is aspirin. While low dose aspirin therapy may not be as harmful, doses higher than 80 mgs are a prime suspect in exacerbating the problem. For the same reason, don’t use products containing willow bark, as it is the exact same chemical. Don’t stop taking any medication without the approval of your physician, particularly if you have a serious health concern such as heart disease.

It’s a good idea to stay in touch with your doctor after you’ve been diagnosed with gout. The high volume of uric acid can cause damage to your kidneys. If left unattended, it could lead to renal failure and death.

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