Heart Disease | DoctorSolve Blog | Stay Healthy, Stay Happy

April 19, 2010

Top 10 Risk Factors of Heart Disease

Filed under: age,Diabetes,exercise,heart disease,high blood pressure,high cholesterol,obesity,quit smoking,risk factors,Uncategorized — doctorsolve @ 10:41 am

Age and Gender

Males over the age of 40 and females over the age of 50 are at an increased risk of getting cardiovascular disease.

Family History

If someone in your family, for example your father, had a heart attack at an early age you are at a greater risk.

Smoking

Smokers have a higher risk of getting cardiovascular disease as compared to non-smokers. It is recommended that you stop smoking. There are many ways in which you could do this including counseling and participating in “Stop Smoking” programs.

High Cholesterol

This is a very common risk factor associated with heart disease. In order to reduce your cholesterol, eat foods low in saturated and trans fat. You should also exercise daily.

High Blood Pressure

Blood Pressure less than 140/90 is recommended. You may need to take medicine to control blood pressure or if possible do this via your diet and exercise regime.

Diabetes

Having diabetes puts you at a greater risk for cardiovascular disease than someone without diabetes. It is important to control blood sugar levels. This can be done by a proper diet, exercise regime, and medication.

Obesity

Body Mass Index (BMI) measures total body fat based on height and weight. A normal BMI is that between 19 and 25. If BMI is greater than 27 you are at risk. It is recommended that you lose weight if your BMI is such.

Stress

Stress is something that people face every day, it’s realistically just a part of our every day lives. It is however important to learn how to deal with it. There are numerous ways in which this can be done which include: exercise, no procrastination, and a good night’s sleep.

Alcohol Intake

Alcoholic beverages should be limited to 2 drinks for men, and 1 for women per day.

Exercise

As you may have noticed exercise is an underlying factor mentioned in almost all of the risk factors. It is very important to create an exercise regime that can be accomplished every day. The less active you are the higher chance of heart disease.

For more information on how to order Canada drugs safely and securely call 1-866-732-0305 or visit http://www.doctorsolve.com/ – a trusted and reliable Canadian online pharmacy since 1999.

DoctorSolve Healthcare Solutions Inc., a Canadian Internet-based pharmacy intermediary (license #BC X23), offers low cost, long-term prescription drugs. A professionally registered pharmacist fills all Canadian prescriptions. A certified member of the Canadian International Pharmacy Association, DoctorSolve is ranked as one of the best online Canadian pharmacies by PharmacyChecker.com.
For more information on how to order Canada drugs safely and securely call 1-866-732-0305 or visit http://www.doctorsolve.com/ – a trusted and reliable Canadian online pharmacy since 1999.

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March 23, 2010

Listen To Your Heart Keep Your Heart Healthy

Filed under: cholesterol,Diabetes,exercise,fibers,Heart,heart attack,heart disease,high cholesterol,smoking,Uncategorized — doctorsolve @ 5:07 pm

The heart is a muscle that many of us take for granted each day. Yes, we recognize its great importance and the stressful job it has pumping blood throughout the body, but do we really care? You could say “of course we care; if the heart stops we die.” However, saying we care and showing we care are two completely different things. Every single day people abuse their hearts; sometimes we harm our hearts on multiple occasions every day. We ignore its needs and expect it to put up with our neglect, but just like a relationship gone wrong, eventually it won’t put up with your actions.

However, in order to maintain a strong and healthy relationship with your heart, there are some things you can do.

1. Don’t Smoke – Smoking is the leading cause of heart disease. Try quitting if you do smoke as it increases blood pressure and the tendency for blood to clot.

2. Get Active – I cannot stress the importance of exercise, not only for your heart, but your entire body. Just 30 minutes a day of physical activity can help you reduce the risk of heart disease.

3. Eat Healthy Fats – Healthy fats will help raise your good cholesterol and lower your overall cholesterol. Make sure to limit your unhealthy fats as this can lead to high cholesterol (bad) which can lead to blockages in the arteries which may lead to a heart attack or stroke.

4. Get Some Fiber – Fiber is extremely beneficial to maintaining a healthy heart. Make sure to get at least 25 grams of fiber a day.

5. Watch out for Sugars and Salts – Limiting your intake of sugar and salt can have an incredible effect on your heart. When you eat a significant amount of sugars, you are more likely to develop diabetes and heart disease. Too much salt can result in high blood pressure and heart disease.

For more information on how to order Canada drugs safely and securely call 1-866-732-0305 or visit http://www.doctorsolve.com/ – a trusted and reliable Canadian online pharmacy since 1999.

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March 2, 2010

Early Warning Signs of Heart Disease Showing in Young Children

Filed under: heart attack,heart disease,heart failure,obese,obesity,stroke,Uncategorized,weight loss — doctorsolve @ 5:13 pm

Where did we go wrong? We still haven’t learned from our bad eating habits and now, we are teaching our children worse habits than our own. Kids shouldn’t have to worry about developing a stroke or a heart attack. They should be outside playing. Yet, here we are, 2010, and we still can’t get it through our thick skulls. Eat healthy or at least eat healthier.

A study conducted on 1-17 year olds was very distressing to me. 40 percent of the children that were classified as obese were between the ages of 3 and 5. Children who are heavier in weight had elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) levels. CRP is an inflammatory marker that many experts believe to show the amount of risk a person has of developing heart disease and stroke.

I am so surprised that with all the information available, many parents still choose to teach their children bad eating habits. This isn’t like going out to McDonalds once and a while, but going to McDonalds multiple times every week. When children start showing significant signs of developing a heart attack or stroke you know something went wrong. At this point it is almost as if the parents are killing their children.

I think it’s time to take some responsibility and really reinforce some much needed rules. Eat healthier and get outside every so often. Instead of always playing baseball on a video game system, try going out and playing catch with a friend. Get your kids involved in sports. Don’t let obesity consume your child.

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February 17, 2010

Happy = Healthy

Filed under: happy,healthy,heart attack,heart disease,heart disorder,Uncategorized — doctorsolve @ 6:59 pm

Mom always said “Don’t smoke,” “Eat healthy,” “Exercise,” and many other demands that we rolled our eyes at. Not only was she right about all those, but also when you were grumpy and she told you to cheer up, she was right as well. Smoking, bad eating habits, a lack of exercise, and unhappiness, are all attributed to causing heart attacks.

New research conducted at the Columbia university shows that happy people are less likely to have heart problems. Out of 1700 people studied, 145 with heart problems had an overall lower score in the scale of happiness. Even if you are a completely, undeniably pessimistic person, just pretending to be happy can have a positive effect on your heart.

The happiness scale used in the study was a 5 point scale. Research proved that for every point you go up on the scale, you are 22 per cent less likely to experience heart problems. It is still unknown whether happiness may be altered through genetics. There may be a gene passed on which can happiness (and heart disease).

Stress is a major cause of heart problems. Stress releases hormones which can damage the heart, so avoid any stress. Depression obviously takes away happiness so this is not the best emotion when looking to have a healthy heart. Try your best to be optimistic! Think positive! Try to catch yourself when you think negative thoughts. Instead of thinking “I only got a B on that paper; I’m stupid.” Think, “I got a B, what else could I do to improve my mark?” Soon you will not even remember those negative thoughts that used to pop into your head all the time. The key is to always keep an optimistic view (easier said than done, I know) and you will be healthier (and happier)!

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January 18, 2010

7 Ways to Prevent Cancer

Filed under: breast cancer,cancer,Diabetes,green tea,heart disease,multivitamins,omega-3,quit smoking,Skin cancer,Uncategorized,vitamin D — doctorsolve @ 5:07 pm

There are many simple lifestyle changes you can make in order to prevent cancer. Following these tips will put you on the path towards better health and hopefully a cancer-free future.

1. Don’t smoke - You’ve probably been warned of this many times before, but whoever was warning you had a valid reason to. Smoking is the highest cancer risk factor that we can control. Smoking is responsible for lung cancer, and many other types of cancer. The best way to prevent cancer is to never start – or quit if you already smoke. Secondhand smoke is also a significant cancer risk factor. The smoke contains more than 60 carcinogens which disturb natural cell development and can trigger the development of cancer cells.

2. Be sun safe – It is important to try to get 15 minutes of sunlight on your skin each day. Researchers have found that getting too little sunlight can be a cause of numerous cancers such as breast cancer, colon cancer, prostate cancer, ovarian cancer, and stomach cancer. In addition, a lack of vitamin D can cause osteoporosis, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, and high blood pressure.

Be careful not to get too much sun though. Over one million Americans are diagnosed with skin cancer each year. In order to prevent skin cancer, avoid UV ray over-exposure by wearing sunscreen when outside, avoiding the hot mid day sun, and staying away from tanning beds. If you want to be safe, yet still get the vitamin D you need, get vitamin D supplements.

3. Drink more water! – Stop for a glass of water whenever you can. A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 1996 found that men who drank 6 full glasses of water every day reduced their risk of contracting bladder cancer by half. Another study found that women who drank a lot of water reduced their risk of developing colon cancer by up to 45%.

4. Drink Green tea – Ancient cultures have always believed that the benefits of green tea are superfluous – it’s no wonder that new research shows that green tea protects against numerous cancers, as well as heart disease. Some scientists believe that a certain chemical in green tea is one of the most powerful anticancer agents ever discovered!

5. Eat more fish – Researchers found that people who ate four or more servings of fish each week were 1/3rd less likely to develop blood cancers such as leukemia, myeloma, and non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. The omega 3 acids in fish are said to reduce a woman’s risk of developing endometrial cancer.

6. Eat your veggies - a proper diet (and regular exercise) will ensure that you get your essential vitamins and nutrients and keep you healthy. Fruits and vegetables contain antioxidants which help damaged cells, and many important vitamins which make you healthy. Many studies suggest that reaching ideal levels of vitamins and minerals in the body can improve the immune system and prevent a variety of cancers and illnesses. If you’re a picky eater, take a multivitamin every morning.

7. Wet your Whistle… in moderation – Beer protects the body against a bacteria which is known to cause ulcers and can be linked to stomach cancer. Easy on the drinks though, more than one or two alcohol beverages a day can actually increase your risk of developing mouth, throat, esophageal, liver, and breast cancer.

For more information on how to order Canada drugs safely and securely call 1-866-732-0305 or visit http://www.doctorsolve.com/ – a trusted and reliable Canadian online pharmacy since 1999.

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January 11, 2010

7 Health Benefits of Cheese

Filed under: bone strength,calcium,Cancer prevention,heart disease,high blood pressure,hypertension,lack of calcium,nutrition,osteoporosis,Uncategorized,vitamin B,vitamins,weight gain,zinc — doctorsolve @ 4:53 pm

No matter what type of cheese you eat (cheese in a can and cheese whiz don’t count) you are doing your body good. Cheese doesn’t get enough credit for it’s health benefits which include things like cancer prevention, bone strengthening, and cavity fighting – but the best part is that is also tastes great!

1. Nutrition - There is a very high concentration of essential nutrients in cheese including high quality proteins and calcium. There are also other elements in cheese such as phosphorous, zinc, vitamin A, riboflavin, and vitamin B12.

2. Cavity Prevention - Cheese is extremely high in its calcium content. This is the most important thing when it comes to strong teeth. In addition, cheese has a very low content of Lactose. Lactose is a substance that comes from food and can harm teeth (The older the cheese, the lower the Lactose levels). Eating certain varieties of cheese such as aged Cheddar, Swiss, Blue, Monterey Jack, Brie, Gouda, and processed American cheese immediately after a meal or as a snack has been proven to prevent tooth decay.

3. Cancer Prevention - Cheese contains substances called Conjugated Linoleic Acid and Sphingolipids that help prevent cancer. In addition the vitamin B in cheese is good for maintaining body functions and protecting the body from disease.

4. Weight Gain - Be careful if you are trying to loose weight – cheese contains a lot of natural fats which may cause weight gain. There are cheese which have a low-fat content that can be very healthy for you to eat and perfect for keeping your weight balanced. However, if you are trying to gain weight, whether its muscle weight, fat, or bone density, cheese is the healthy way to go. Cheese is full of protein, fat, calcium, and vitamins and minerals that keep muscles and bones strong and healthy. The vitamins and minerals are better for a balanced metabolism.

5. Bone Strength - Cheese is high in calcium content and rich in vitamin B. This is especially good for the bones of children, elderly people, and pregnant and lactating women for strengthening bones and cartilages. the vitamin B in cheese helps the body absorb and distribute calcium.

6. Osteoporosis - Since Osteoporosis is a deficiency diseased caused due to a lack of calcium, cheese is a perfect way to help the bone density of those suffering from Osteoporosis. Osteoporosis can be treated with protein, calcium, and a high intake of vitamins and minerals. All three of these things are found abundantly in cheese.

7. High Blood Pressure - Sodium and cholesterol are the elements that are considered harmful in people with high blood pressure, and hypertensive people are told to avoid them. Cheese in this situation must be considered critically. The fat in cheese depends on the quality of the milk it was made with. Full fat or cream milk, or low fat or fat free milk will determine how high the fat content of the cheese is. Typically, high fat cheese are more popular because they taste better, but many low-fat cheese are being introduced to shelves. Make sure to look for the fat content in the cheese before you buy it. The sodium content in cheese depends on the amount of salt added to the milk before it was turned into cheese. There are low-sodium cheese that are helpful in reducing agents which are associated with heart disease. The content of vitamin B in cheese is also helpful for those with high blood pressure.

For more information on how to order Canada drugs safely and securely call 1-866-732-0305 or visit http://www.doctorsolve.com/ – a trusted and reliable Canadian online pharmacy since 1999.

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November 16, 2009

5 Health Benefits of Dark Chocolate

Filed under: anti-depression,cholesterol,depression,healthy diets,healthy living,heart disease,high blood pressure,high cholesterol,stress,Uncategorized — doctorsolve @ 5:13 pm

You’ve probably already heard of chocolate improving the mood, but there are more health benefits to chocolate that you may be unaware of. Before you go raiding the candy jar, keep in mind that these health benefits pertain to DARK CHOCOLATE only. That is anything with a cocoa content over 65%. Milk chocolate is probably what you are used to, but if you are interested in eating healthy it might be a good idea to give dark chocolate a try.

1. Good for the Heart - Due to the presence of antioxidants in dark chocolate, studies have found that in individuals with high blood pressure, a stick of dark chocolate a day can lower blood pressure levels. In addition, dark chocolate has been known to lower cholesterol levels by up to 10%.

2. Improves Mood – Dark chocolate stimulates endorphin production which in turn provides the brain with feelings of pleasure. A substance called theobromine which provides you with caffeine-like stimulation is also present in dark chocolate. Dark chocolate contains serotonin which is known to act as an anti-depressant.

3. Low fat - Unlike milk chocolate or white chocolate, dark chocolate contains very little fat that will affect your cholesterol. Of the small amount of fat in dark chocolate, 1/3 of the fats are actually good fats which are healthy for the body. The remaining 2/3rds are made up of a neutral fat, and a saturated fat.

4. Stress Reducer – A study found that eating an ounce of dark chocolate a day for two weeks drastically reduced stress levels in the bodies of people who were feeling highly stressed.

5. Stabilizer – Not only does dark chocolate regulate and stabilize the mood, but it’s also been found to help regulate the body’s metabolism

For more information on how to order Canada drugs safely and securely call 1-866-732-0305 or visit http://www.doctorsolve.com/ – a trusted and reliable Canadian online pharmacy since 1999.

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October 27, 2009

Heart Risks Found In 20% of Teens

Filed under: blood pressure,cholesterol,heart attack,heart disease,high cholesterol,junk food,obesity,stroke,teen health,Uncategorized — doctorsolve @ 4:36 pm

Did you know that 1 out of every 5 students in Grade 9 have at least one major risk factor for heart disease and stroke? The recent Canadian study shows just how fast teen health is declining.

The study showed an increase in cardiovascular risk factors since 2002. However, the most alarming statistics is that the study reported that 13% of teenagers are obese and 16% had high blood cholesterol levels! Remember this is in Canada (Only around 30 million people, whereas the United States has about ten times the number of people).

Obviously there is a huge problem here. My thoughts would be to implement a more rigorous physical education (P.E) course/make P.E mandatory from middle school all the way through high school. Also, remove junk food from cafeteria’s and put in healthier snacks. The kids will complain, but honestly it must be done. Additionally, as part of the P.E curriculum, spend a week, at least, on nutrition and the importance of exercise. These kids need to have this knowledge drilled into their minds so it because second nature to them. Somethings need to change, and change quickly.

For more information on how to order Canada drugs safely and securely call 1-866-732-0305 or visit http://www.doctorsolve.com/ – a trusted and reliable Canadian online pharmacy since 1999.

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September 24, 2009

Building Personal Exercise Habits for Life

Filed under: aerobics,arthhritis,blood pressure,bones,cancer,cold,core,Diabetes,fitness,flu,health,heart disease,interval training,natural weight loss,sprints,strength,Uncategorized,weight loss — doctorsolve @ 6:02 pm

As most of us know exercising is a crucial part of staying healthy, along with eating a healthy diet. However, variety is key in both cases. You might love potatoes, but if you have those same type of potatoes every night they start to get boring and you don’t want them anymore. The same is true for exercise. If you don’t vary your routine then you can become bored and just give up. Also, by staying to a fixed routine your muscles become used to doing the same thing over and over again, much like muscle memory.

The idea of switching your routine is used very frequently with many successful workout tapes and guides. If you can’t think of one of the top of your head just remember P90X. The same concept is used in P90X, they call it muscle confusion. It focuses on varying the routine so your muscles don’t adjust to one routine. This way your muscles are challenged and you can actually work more efficiently.

Also, something to remember is that you shouldn’t focus on the same muscle groups everyday. Try to switch up your workout so you give specific muscle groups 2 days to rest. For example if you worked out your arms and back one day do your core the next day. Then the day after your core work your legs. This lets your muscle groups rest and repair.

Well if you’re sitting there not knowing what you can do to vary up your routine don’t worry. There are different types of exercises you can do. If you love running, that’s great, but try to do some strength training as well.

Aerobic exercise can feature a vast number of exercises. Jogging for example is an aerobic exercise. The main goal of aerobics is to get your heart to really start working. By doing this the amount of oxygen in your blood will improve. Also exercise has been known to release things like endorphins which are your bodies natural painkillers. Additionally, your immune system should receive a boost and your blood will pump much more efficiently. Also, you will begin to see an increase in your overall stamina.

Interval training has been proven to condition your heart and burn fat more efficiently then just jogging or walking. Try some sprints with gentle recovery periods. You will notice you will be saving more time by doing interval training, but still see results. Interval training is also a great way to really improve your cardiovascular fitness and fat-burning abilities.

Next is my personal favorite type of training, strength training. Make sure you include some sort of strength training into your normal exercise program. The goal is to really exhaust your muscles. Right to the point when you can feel your muscles screaming to stop, but you’ve just got to pump out one more rep. Don’t hurt yourself doing this though, waiting for injuries to heal isn’t fun.

Finally, we move onto core exercises. These are probably my worst area of fitness. I personally have never liked core exercises, but that probably has something to do with the fact that I’ve never really had good core muscles. However, core muscles are probably some of the most important muscles to work. They provide the building blocks for movement and help protect parts of your body. Also, building core muscles can help increase your balance and stability, for all you sports fans or the extra clumsy.

Exercising regularly is key to keeping one healthy. Many people don’t remember that and I think that’s why they don’t get motivated. If you want to have abs then go workout. It won’t just magically happen overnight. You need to be determined, you need to want it, you need to stay focused. Working out isn’t easy, but it definitely can be fun. Try to enjoy yourself. Find someone to go to the gym with. This might help keep you going back to the gym and staying on track.

If you’re still not convinced how about these reasons why exercise can improve your health.

1. Lower your blood pressure
2. Helps prevent and fight off colds
3. Manage arthritis
4. Lower your risk of heart disease
5. Helps cure insomnia
6. Fight depression
7. Lower your risk of diabetes and reverse pre-diabetes
8. Build strong bones
9. Lose weight
10. Reduces your risk of cancer
11. Helps you think better
12. Helps relieve chronic knee pain
13. Increases your energy levels
14. Slow down your aging process

For more information on how to order Canada drugs safely and securely call 1-866-732-0305 or visit http://www.doctorsolve.com/ – a trusted and reliable Canadian online pharmacy since 1999.

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September 14, 2009

5 Benefits of Epsom Salt

Filed under: blood clots,blood pressure,Diabetes,epsom salt,headaches,heart disease,high blood pressure,magnesium,migraine,skin care,stress,sulphate,Uncategorized — doctorsolve @ 4:44 pm

Exfoliates dead skin

The magnesium and sulphate in Epsom salt nourish and exfoliate your skin leaving it healthy and smooth. Try making rubbing Epsom salt and bath oil onto your skin while bathing.

Relaxation and stress relief

A hot bubble bath is always relaxing and a good way to reduce your stress levels. Epsom salt has always been considered a natural stress reliever. Stress lowers the magnesium levels in the body, so adding a cup of Epsom salt to your bath will restore the magnesium in your body.

Prevents blood clots

It is believed that Epsom salt has the ability to prevent heart disease and stroke by lowering blood pressure, maintaining the elasticity of arteries, and preventing blood clots from forming.

Keeps plants healthy

Magnesium is an essential mineral for plant life. It provides the rich green colour to a plants leaves and when Magnesium sulphate crystals are added to a plants soil they provide other vital nutrients to the plant.

Prevents headaches and migraines

It has been found that when magnesium supplements are taken, headaches and migraines have proved to reduce in frequency.

Prevents Diabetes

Epsom salt has been found to help insulin do its job more efficiently, therefore has the ability to lower the risk of severe diabetes.

For more information on how to order Canada drugs safely and securely call 1-866-732-0305 or visit http://www.doctorsolve.com/ – a trusted and reliable Canadian online pharmacy since 1999.

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