Flavonoid Foods that Can Reduce the Occurrence of Heart Disease

What you eat can make a big difference in your health which definitely follows the “you are what you eat” tenet. Eat fatty foods and you will eventually gain weight and develop high cholesterol. Eat a healthy diet rich in flavonoids and you can expect a lower incidence of heart disease. Not only do flavonoids lower your heart disease risk, they also help with other conditions like menopause and stroke.

So what is this magical “flavonoid” anyway? Flavonoids are antioxidant components found mostly in foods derived from plants. The idea is that these flavonoids protect your heart by reducing the LDL part of your cholesterol levels, otherwise known as low-density lipoproteins or “bad” cholesterol. These “noids” diminish swelling and inflammation within the blood vessels, allowing better blood flow and proper oxygenation throughout the body.

Some studies unequivocally show that flavonoids definitely protect the heart while in others, the studies only hint at this protection. Because everyone’s health, genetic history and body chemistry is different, what may be a home run in the flavonoid department for one person may only be a bunt in another. Regardless, flavonoids are important to your health because their antioxidant properties help fight free radicals.

The subclasses of flavonoids

There are three main types of flavonoids (although there are more) that can help reduce the threat of heart disease in addition to other related health conditions including cardiovascular issues and diseases of the blood vessels. These flavones, anthocyanidins and flavonones subclasses can reduce the threat of heart disease by 10-25% or more, according to some medical researchers.

To get an idea of what foods contain flavonoids look to food and drink that have some intense color and flavors. For example, blueberries, raspberries and dark red and purple grapes contain anthocyanins as does red wine. Many citrus fruits like grapefruit, oranges, lemons and limes contain the flavanones part of the flavonoid family. Flavones can be found in celery, parsley, onion and different types of dried beans.

There are other food and drink items that contain flavonoids for good health such as green tea, Gingko Biloba, pears, apples and white tea. Dark chocolate with high percentages of cacao also contribute to the flavonoid pool. While flavonoids in general can help reduce the risk of heart disease, it is those three subclasses listed above that really put you over the top in terms of dietary protection.

Results

Whether you are young or older, introducing more foods with these flavonoids can and will make a difference. Of course, the earlier you start, the more protection you have. Different dietary studies have shown that women in particular benefit from flavonoids, especially those in perimenopause and menopause.

If you are ready to make the commitment to lower your risk of heart disease, incorporate some of the food items above. Visit with a nutritionist or do your own research to find even more foods with the flavonoids to add to your diet. Some of the best side effects to adopting a new diet with these foods include a lower cholesterol level, the likelihood of losing a few pounds and a deeper reservoir of energy…. (continues) …

Classifying Cardiac Ischemia

Many types of heart disease exist that cause a variety of problems with many of them leading to a heart attack. One of these heart diseases is called cardiac ischemia and affects the heart muscle itself. What happens is that the blood flow to the myocardium aka the heart muscle is reduced or completely blocked by the clogging of one of the coronary arteries.

When the arterial blockage drastic and sudden, you may experience a heart attack or what doctors call a myocardial infarction. This condition called cardiac ischemia contributes to arrhythmia which is an abnormal heart beat. This abnormal heart beat could cause a number of problems from fainting to even death.

Symptoms and signs of cardiac ischemia

There are some symptoms or signs of cardiac ischemia which could signal you have a problem, especially if you have no idea you have heart issues. These symptoms and signs include shortness of breath, clammy skin and arm pain (the stereotypical pain you might read about or see on television). Chest pain may occur which doctors call angina pectoris and vomiting or nausea may be present. Finally, jaw pain or neck pain is an issue as well.

If you have any metabolic conditions such as diabetes, the symptoms and signs above may not occur. Doctors typically make a diagnosis of cardiac ischemia based on a number of factors as not everyone displays the typical symptoms. These factors include your medical history as well as that of your family, physical exam, study of your coronary angiogram, results of a stress test and even an electrocardiogram.

Factors that lead to cardiac ischemia

While you cannot control your family’s medical history and genetics, you can control other aspects of your life that could contribute to cardiac ischemia. For instance, your diet plays a big part in heart disease. You would need a diet low in fats and cholesterol and high in omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and more.

Exercise is important as it conditions the heart and keeps your body oxygenated and healthy. Plus, exercise can help keep off the weight which is another factor that can contribute to cardiac ischemia. Obesity, hypertension and high cholesterol levels are all contributors to heart disease so you have to do whatever you can to avoid them.

Treating cardiac ischemia

The primary goal in treating cardiac ischemia is to increase the blood flow to your heart. This could require an angioplasty to widen the artery in question and place a stent in there to keep it open. Coronary artery bypass surgery is another option although it is saved for more serious cases when angioplasty could not help. Medications such as blood thinners, aspirin therapy or beta blockers can help. This help keep the blood from clotting in areas where the arteries are narrower.

Once good blood flow is re-established, this will enable you to better implement an exercise program as well as get started on other lifestyle changes. Cardiac ischemia may not be curable but it certainly is treatable.

The Tie-In Between ED and Heart Disease

Seeking treatment for erectile dysfunction (ED) could be actually a blessing in disguise if you are at risk for heart disease. The same issues that contribute to ED are also the same ones that contribute to heart disease as well. With erectile dysfunction, it is an embarrassing situation but it isn’t a deadly one however heart disease it could be.

Problems in the bedroom department, not being able to maintain an erection, are one of the early warning signals for men that heart disease may be present. If you pay attention to your body and seek help for your ED, you would be doing yourself a huge favor health-wise. If you can understand the ties between ED and heart disease, this will enable you to identify the symptoms of heart disease while you can still do something about it, even perhaps halt its progression. On the flip side, if you know you have heart disease, getting medical help can actually improve sexual relations.

Links between heart disease and erectile dysfunction

Depression, anxiety and panic attacks can tie into both ED and heart disease. Restless or nervous feelings can contribute to erectile dysfunction and if you already know you have heart disease, the fear of having a heart attack during an intimate act could be putting a damper in the bedroom. Atherosclerosis is a condition where your arteries thicken and harden, causing a reduction of blood flow to your heart as well as other areas of the body like the penis. Because of restricted blood flow, it can be hard to maintain an erection. Some medications used for heart disease can cause ED whereas some ED medications may not be for people with heart conditions.

There are other risk factors that tie both ED and heart disease together. If you have one or more of them, it is important that you get the proper medical tests to check for damage or impairments. Smoking, diabetes, being overweight, hypertension and having high cholesterol are all factors.

Atherosclerosis is perhaps the number one issue that ties in heart disease risk and erectile dysfunction. An accumulation of plaque along the arterial walls can hinder the blood flow to your brain, legs and heart and of course, the penis. Where once the arteries were flexible, they are now stiff and narrow due to the plaque; so for this reason blood flow is not as fluid, thus contributing to ED.

If you have already been diagnosed with heart disease, you are likely taking medications for it. The drawback to these medications is that they can contribute to erectile dysfunction. On the other side of the equation, if you are taking ED medications, they could affect your heart disease negatively.

All in all, the link between erectile dysfunction and heart disease is very strong, on many fronts – from pre-existing conditions like diabetes to medications. Therefore, if you have ED, do not hesitate to go to the doctor because it could a mere side effect to a larger problem – heart disease.

The Role of ACE Inhibitors in Heart Problems

Heart disease and other health related issues can be caused by a number of different factors. One of the common causes of heart problems is the narrowing of the arteries. When the blood does not have as much area to push through to get to the rest of your body, your blood pressure rises. This is due to the fact that your heart is working overtime in order to get the oxygenated, nutrient rich blood to the body organs and extremities.

When your arteries and other blood vessels stiffen up, this can hinder blood flow and put a strain on your heart so medications are necessary to help relax those blood vessels. ACE inhibitors are a type of doctor-prescribed medication that can loosen up the tension in those blood vessels and lower blood pressure at the same time.

ACE stands for angiotensin-converting enzyme and inhibitor represents the prevention of said enzyme. Angiotensin II is the enzyme culprit your body produces which affects your body in a number of ways, one in particularly being the narrowing of the arteries within your cardiovascular system. The theory is the medicine inhibits the production of this enzyme so that your arteries remain elastic enough for proper blood flow to the rest of the body.

There are a number of ACE inhibitors on the market today and you may recognize some of them by their generic or even brand names. Of course, not all of them are created equal so your particular health condition will dictate which medication you are prescribed. Lotensin has the generic name Benazepril while Vasotec’s generic equivalent is Enalapril. Zestril and Prinivil can both be found under the Lisinopril generic name.

ACE inhibitors are often prescribed for a number of ailments beyond heart issues. Migraine pain is alleviated by these inhibitors as is the pain from Scleroderma. Some organs are affected by improper blood flow so the ACE inhibitor can help restore normal blood flow in parts of the body such as the liver and kidneys. Of course, heart ailments do lead the pack with ACE inhibitors working their magic on heart attacks, hypertension, coronary artery disease and heart failure.

Just as with any other medication, there are some side effects and precautions you should consider when it comes to the ACE inhibitor. First of all, if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant soon, this medication is out as it can cause side effects in a fetus. You can also expect raised potassium levels in the blood and even changes in your appetite as well as how food tastes. Developing a rash is rather common and sometimes prolonged use of ACE inhibitors also causes dizziness or lightheadedness. Dry cough occurs as does some swelling (fluid retention) in certain areas of the body.

Remember, this prescription treatment is not for everyone; it could also take up to a few months for it to fully work. In the meantime, you should adopt healthier eating practices and incorporate exercise into your daily routine. Quit smoking and lay off the booze. ACE inhibitors are not miracle drugs; you must take some responsibility yourself for your health.

Serious and Not So Serious Causes of Heart Arrhythmia

When the doctor tells you that you have heart arrhythmia, it is not necessarily a dire thing. An arrhythmia is a heart rhythm problem that is common and for most people, not harmful at all. Your heart produces electrical impulses which fire off to regulate your heart beat. When these electrical impulses become irregular, you may experience heart beats that are too slow, too fast or fluttery.

While most arrhythmias are not life-threatening, those that are associated with a weak heart, artery disease or some other congenital defect or health problem can be. When heart arrhythmia becomes serious, it can produce some troublesome symptoms. A clean and healthy lifestyle with a good diet, exercise and no smoking can definitely help though.

Causes of arrhythmia

The most likely causes of heart arrhythmia or health conditions that could lead to arrhythmia include hypertension, smoking, caffeine or alcohol abuse, stress, diabetes or other metabolic syndromes, heart disease and even the use of illicit drugs. Some medications – both over the counter and prescription – can also cause arrhythmias in addition to herbs and supplements.

If you have had a heart attack before, you could have scarring on and in the heart muscle. This scarring could disrupt the electrical impulses that fire and regulate your heart beat. There are other conditions that may cause scarring as well and include infection and disease. When you are in good health and develop arrhythmia, there is usually an outside trigger that kicks off this condition such as the use of illegal drugs or even sustaining an electrical shock.

There are pre-existing physical problems that can contribute to arrhythmia including congenital defects to the structure of the heart. These defects could be the result of damage to the muscle tissues of the heart itself and a reduction in the blood flow into the heart. Heart disease may also cause arrhythmia and you may or may not be aware that you have one of the diseases. Here are some examples that could contribute to arrhythmia:

1. Cardiomyopathy – Blood pumping ability is reduced due to the thickening of ventricle walls causing stiffness.
2. Coronary artery disease – Arteries leading to and from the heart are affected restricting blood flow to the muscle. When this occurs, the accumulative effect is that part of the heart actually dies.
3. Valvular heart disease – The valves of your heart leading in and out of the atrium and ventricles could be affected causing the heart muscles to thicken thereby hindering the blood pumping action. The valves could leak or become too narrow for proper blood passage.

Your arrhythmia may originate in either the ventricles or atria but they are also classified by the speed of how fast your heart beats. Tachycardia is a fast heartbeat, usually over 100 beats a minute while the bradycardia is the opposite, heart rate at rest under 60 beats a minute. It is important to note that everyone at some point or another experiences bradycardias and tachycardias due to exercise or even temporary illness.

Treatment

Treatment is not always so easy to pinpoint. It depends on a number of factors including whether or not you show signs of heart disease. Some options that treat arrhythmia include medication, surgery, implantable devices like pacemakers or even certain types of electrical shock. The bottom line is to work on the things you can control like a proper diet, exercise and abstaining from smoking and excessive alcohol consumption. The rest is up to the doctor and the specific treatment they decide is best for you.

Understanding Heart Disease in Women

The threat of heart disease is very real, not only in men but in women too. In fact, women are much more likely to die from heart disease than all the cancers combined. That is quite alarming considering the fact that men usually get all the attention in the heart disease arena. Even doctors are guilty of not testing for heart disease in some women when they come into their care. The reason why this avenue is overlooked is because sometimes women’s symptoms of heart disease do not mimic those that men receive.

Not until the past decade or so has the spotlight been shed on women and their susceptibility to heart disease. In the past, doctors, researchers and even medical schools were all taught the signs of heart disease and symptoms of a heart attack from the perspective of a man. It is no wonder that many signs were overlooked in women! Several factors such as social and hormonal differences are primary factors.

Heart disease in men and women not all equal

One of the reasons why women have slipped under the heart disease radar is because sometimes a few of the screening tests are actually clear. An angiogram could be taken of a woman’s arteries and appear perfectly healthy but that does not put her in the clear of heart disease. Sometimes, the angiograms do not spot all of the smaller arteries leading to and from the heart that could have a build-up of plaque in them.

Heart attack symptoms also may differ between a man and woman. Both may feel some type of pressure, squeezing sensation or pain in the chest area but the severity often fluctuates. In addition, women tend to have seemingly unrelated symptoms such as dizziness, shortness of breath, cold sweats or even discomfort in the neck and shoulder areas. These symptoms often are mistaken for other ailments which prolongs the time before treatment is received.

One theory as to why women and men’s heart attack symptoms differ is that women have smaller arteries. Plus, when a build-up of plaque occurs in men, this build-up eventually breaks apart abruptly, causing the pain of a heart attack. With women though, the plaque actually breaks down the layers of the arteries leaving the inner layer exposed, thus weakening it.

What women should do

It is not only older women over the magical age of 60 who suffer from heart disease. Women of all ages are susceptible and in fact in the 25-45 age group, heart disease is the third leading cause of death! Because heart disease is more prevalent than you thought, changes in lifestyle can be a big positive move. Adopting a healthier diet is necessary – one high in monounsaturated fats and low in cholesterol and saturated fats. Exercise is a definite must, something that will get the heart rate up so you know you are getting a workout. No smoking and moderate alcohol consumption also is necessary. Adding all of these lifestyle changes up along with getting yearly physicals can help in reducing your chances of heart disease.

Margarine vs. Butter in the Healthy Heart Diet Debate

The best heart healthy diet is one that is full of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, low fat dairy, fish and lean meats. Where does that leave all the good tasting stuff like salt, sugar or even buttery spreads for your bread? There has been some debate as to whether or not margarine or real butter is the best choice. In reality, the diet police would say neither of them but if you have to have your buttery taste, most nutritional experts agree that margarine is healthier for you.

Butter is derived from animal fats so you can expect a high level of saturated fat in addition to plenty of cholesterol to lube the blood vessels. Margarine however is made from vegetable oils so at least the cholesterol factor is not an issue. There are fats present in margarine but this tasty spread is high in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. Both the mono and poly fats of this type are great for lowering the “bad” cholesterol (LDL-low density lipoprotein) levels in the blood.

Don’t start the party yet though with that heart healthier margarine. There are some varieties that are actually worse for your body than butter. Manufacturers use a process called hydrogenation to produce butter in which the result is too much trans fats. Stick margarine usually has more trans fats than the margarine in a tub. Trans fats are exactly what you do not want, especially if you are trying to stick to a heart healthy diet. The trans fats found in margarine can raise your “bad” cholesterol levels while whittling down the “good” cholesterol (HDL – high density lipoprotein).

Spread selection

There are a few things you can look for in margarine to ensure that you are getting the healthiest one possible for your diet needs. First of all, look for a margarine variety that has the lowest trans fat content. It also must have less than two total grams of saturated fats plus the trans fats. Because the food manufacturers have to list the trans fats and saturated fats separately, you will need to look at these and add the fat totals together to ensure they are less than the two grams.

Next, you want to check your margarine for the addition of plant sterols. These are components derived strictly from non-meat sources and can be derived from a variety of foods like vegetable oils, nuts, seeds, beans and more. These plant sterols resemble the cell structure of animal cholesterol, only they are healthier because they have the ability to help lower your cholesterol levels. Your “bad” LDL cholesterol can be lowered by as much as 8-12 %. Check your margarine for at least two grams of these plant sterols.

If you are a die hard butter fan and margarine tastes “fake” to you, consider choosing a butter variety that is lower in calories. Whipped butter varieties as well as “light” versions retain the buttery taste but provide fewer calories and less of the “bad” stuff. You want to be sure that you use only enough to taste to avoid extra calories and fat content.

Six Smart Things to Do to Prevent or Lower Heart Disease Risk

Heart disease may run in your family but it doesn’t have to run you. There are many ways you can prevent or reduce your risk of heart disease. Don’t fall victim and accept your fate that you will likely die of heart disease. Sure, you may not be able to eliminate risk factors such as your age, ethnicity or family history, but you sure have control over some of the others such as a healthy diet, exercise and other healthy lifestyle choices.

Strategize your way to a healthier body and outlook on life. Incorporate some changes in your life to reduce the chances of heart disease taking a foothold in your life. Here are six smart things you can do to live life to the fullest without heart disease staring you boldly in the face:

1. Don’t drink excessively –Everything you put in your body works like a domino effect so the more you drink, the more likely it is to impair your judgment as well as cause inflammation in arteries and other body organs including the heart. However, just a drink or two a day can have beneficial properties for the heart, namely red wine, thanks to its antioxidant properties.

2. Quit smoking – Smoking is perhaps one of the most identifiable and quantifiable ways to reduce your heart disease risk. There are almost 5,000 chemicals in the smoke from tobacco and many of them can damage your arteries and heart muscle, leaving your vulnerable to such conditions as atherosclerosis, a narrowing of the arteries. Plus, when you smoke, it robs your blood of necessary oxygen. This means your heart has to pump even harder to push enough blood through the body to provide enough oxygen and nutrients.

3. Get physical – Physical activity is important in several ways. First, it helps you burn calories you consume so as to prevent becoming overweight. Second, it conditions the heart muscle. When a muscle is not used properly, it can wither or atrophy and since the heart is essentially a muscle, you are not doing it any favors by leading a sedentary lifestyle. Exercise will increase blood flow to the heart and in turn, builds heart strength.

4. Avoid obesity – As you grow older, you tend to gain weight, most of it being fat. When this fat accumulates, you put your heart at risk for disease in addition to other conditions that could lead up to heart disease such as hypertension, diabetes and high cholesterol. Lowering your weight even by just a few pounds is beneficial. Of course, the best way to lose weight or keep it off is through a good diet and exercise.

5. Eat healthy – Avoid saturated and trans fats as much as possible. Eat plenty of vegetables, fruits, low-fat dairy, whole grains and lean meats and fish. Choose foods with plenty of fiber as not only is it health but it also fills you up so you do not end up overeating. When you must eat fats, choose those with monounsaturated or polyunsaturated fats as these have the power to lower your cholesterol levels. Omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants found in these foods are important for overall heart health.

6. Get regular check-ups – You will never know if you have high cholesterol or hypertension, two major contributors to heart disease, unless you go to the doctor regularly for yearly physicals and health screenings. Without these regular check-ups, it can be hard to catch heart disease or any other problem. Without early detection, you cannot treat the problem.

Understanding Heart Disease in Its Many Forms

Heart disease is a broad term that actually describes a number of different afflictions of the heart. Under the heart disease umbrella, there are at least 8-10 types of diseases and all of them together are the primary cause of death in America as well as the United Kingdom and Canada. To understand this vicious killer, you have to understand the different types of heart disease. Here is a breakdown of some of those leading types:

1. Coronary artery disease – This type of heart disease afflicts the arteries and is produced by the build-up of plaque within the arterial walls that provide the oxygen-rich supply of blood to the myocardium. Some of the symptoms of this plaque build-up within the arterial walls includes heart attack and angina (chest pain). Half a million people die each year in the United States from this heart disease.

2. Cardiovascular disease – This type of heart disease encompasses all of the diseases that affect the blood vessel system, specifically the ones that lead to and from the heart as well as anything that affects the heart itself. Men predominantly get cardiovascular disease that affects the muscle of the heart while the women suffer primarily from affected blood vessels. Atherosclerosis is one type of cardiovascular disease and conditions such as diabetes and hypertension also contribute to this form.

3. Cardiomyopathy – This heart disease affects the muscles of the heart itself called the myocardium. There are two sub-parts to this particular type of heart disease – extrinsic and internal cardiomyopathy. In other words, the disease could affect the outer part of the muscles or the inner part. Metobolic disease, nutritional deficiencies, congenital defects, alcoholism and other conditions can cause cardiomyopathy. This condition can cause sudden death in some seemingly normal people or even arrhythmia, an irregular heartbeat.

4. Congestive heart failure – Also sometimes called congestive cardiac failure or just heart failure, this type of heart disease is the result of any physical abnormality which could impair the function of the heart itself, such as the ability to properly pumped oxygenated blood throughout the body or even the ability for the heart to fill up with blood in order to pump it out.

5. Ischaemic heart disease – The primary cause of this type of heart disease is the inability to supply enough blood to all the body organs to function properly. This disease is related to coronary artery disease and can be caused by years of smoking, high cholesterol levels, hypertension and more.

6. Hypertensive heart disease – This brand of heart disease is the result of consistent high blood pressure. Various conditions can contribute to this type of disease, particularly diabetes and obesity.

7. Valvular disease – This type of heart disease involves one or more valves within the heart by impairing function. There is the aortic valve and mitral valve located on the left side while the pulmonic and tricuspid valve is located on the right hand side. Any or all of these can become impaired causing this disease.

8. Inflammatory heart disease – When the tissue surrounding the heart or the heart itself swells or becomes inflamed, this causes inflammatory heart disease. There are several types: myocarditis which is inflammation of the heart muscle and endocarditis which is the inflammation of the heart valves or other inside layers of the heart muscle.

Sudden Death Syndrome Could Be Due to Congenital HCM

Almost half a million people in the United States have a common congenital heart problem called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy or HCM and it is a leading cause of sudden death, particularly in people with no history of health problems. This heart disease afflicts the heart muscle itself and the result is that the walls of the lower ventricles of the heart become thickened. When this thickness occurs, it is enough to cause your heart to work abnormally. In addition, the thicker walls of the ventricles can cause these lower heart chambers to twist or warp, thus impairing the operation of the mitral and aortic valves, the ones that control your blood flow to and from the heart.

HCM can be blamed on heredity and it starts by creating a problem with the development of the fibers in the heart muscle. Usually only one parent needs to carry this genetic trait in order for you to get this disease. However, at least 50% of the cases of HCM did not inherit this heart condition. Instead a genetic mutation occurs. With this unexpected mutation, you could pass it along to your children, even though your siblings and parents don’t have it.

Likely problems that HCM causes

HCM aka hypertrophic cardiomyopathy can cause several different types of heart problems for you. Systolic dysfunction is one problem that stems from HCM. In this case, the heart does not pump the blood properly so there is not enough blood expelled. Deformed ventricles can affect the aortic or mitral valve causing this systolic dysfunction.

Diastolic dysfunction is the result of the HCM thickening and stiffening the ventricles of the heart which makes it much harder for them to fill with blood so that it can be pumped out to the rest of the body. Blood may take a reverse path back into the lungs when any major physical activity or exertion of the body is made.

Heart failure can also result from HCM and is usually due to the heart muscle thickening far beyond what it can cope with and still function. This condition is called dilated cardiomyopathy and it occurs late in cases of HCM. Sudden death is another problem and is usually the result of major tachycardia or what you may term as heart flutters. Sudden death will many times occur in the midst or after major physical exertion.

Diagnosis and treatment

Diagnosis of HCM is best through the application of an echocardiogram or EKG. This test can measure the thickness of the ventricle walls as well as identify anomalous functions of the aortic and mitral heart valves. If you know of any close family members that have HCM, you should immediately schedule an echocardiogram as the disease can be passed down in the family.

There is no cure for HCM but the condition can be treated through the use of different heart medications. Blockers like calcium or beta blockers can help keep the walls of the heart ventricles more pliant. Surgery to remove some of the thickened areas of the ventricle walls is an option as well. Prevention is not an option so diligence in regular check-ups and testing is necessary.

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