How to Lower Blood Pressure Naturally

It is possible to control high blood pressure without medication. High blood pressure, also called hypertension, affects 1 in 3 adults in the United States. The condition increases the risk of heart disease and stroke – the two leading causes of death in the US.

Blood pressure is the measure of the force of blood pushing against blood vessel walls. The heart pumps blood into the arteries (blood vessels), which carry the blood throughout the body. High blood pressure is dangerous because it makes the heart work harder to pump blood to the body and contributes to hardening of the arteries and/or to the development of heart failure.

April 7, 2013 is World Health Day, and this year’s theme is high blood pressure. It is possible to lower high blood pressure and prevent heart disease without taking prescription medications.

By making the following 10 simple lifestyle changes, anyone can lower their blood pressure and reduce their risk of heart disease.

Managing weight. Blood pressure often increases as weight increases. In general, the more weight you lose, the lower your blood pressure. A doctor can help determine target weight and the best way to achieve it.
Exercise regularly. Regular physical activity — at least 30 to 60 minutes most days of the week — can help lower blood pressure. Iit doesn’t take long to see a difference either, usually increasing exercise level can lower blood pressure within just a few weeks.
Eat healthy. Eating a diet that is rich in whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy products and low on saturated fat and cholesterol can drastically lower blood pressure.. This eating plan is known as the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet.
Limit sodium intake. Even a small reduction in the sodium in a diet can reduce high blood pressure. The recommendations for reducing sodium are to limit sodium to 2,300 milligrams (mg) a day or less, or 1 tablespoon of salt.
Do not smoke. The nicotine in tobacco products can raise blood pressure for up to an hour after smoking. Smoking throughout the day means that blood pressure may remain constantly high. It is also best to avoid secondhand smoke.
Drink less alcohol. When consumed in small amounts, alcohol can potentially lower blood pressure. But that protective effect is lost if a person drinks too much alcohol. In general, one drink a day for women and men older than age 65, or two a day for men age 65 and younger is advised as being acceptable. However, if a person doesn’t normally drink alcohol, they shouldn’t start drinking as a way to lower blood pressure.
Limit caffeine. Although scientists have long debated the effects of caffeine on blood pressure, a recent Duke University Medical Center study found that caffeine consumption of 500 mg (roughly three 8-ounce cups of coffee) increased blood pressure throughout the day until bedtime.
Relax. Stress or anxiety can temporarily increase blood pressure, so managing stress is an excellent way to prevent high blood pressure. Stress management practices such as take breaks for deep-breathing exercises, massages, or yoga may be able to help reduce stress.
Eat dark chocolate. Dark chocolate varieties contain flavanols that make blood vessels more elastic. In one study, 18 percent of patients who ate it 0.5 ounces of it every day saw blood pressure decrease.
Consume potassium. Although many people are aware that eating too much salt can raise blood pressure, most aren’t aware of the benefits of potassium, which counters sodium’s ill effects. According to the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, adults should get at least 4,700 milligrams a day. A few good sources include bananas, a baked potato with skin, orange juice, and nonfat or low-fat yogurt.

Celebrity Heart Attack Survivors

For American Heart Month, we look at some famous figures who have overcome a heart attack, as well as tips for heart disease prevention.

Heart disease is a preventable and controllable disease, yet it is the leading cause of death in the United States, according to statistics from the American Heart Association. It can cause serious complications such as heart failure, arrhythmias, and heart attack – and worst of all, it does not discriminate. This means that people of different ages, sexes and socio-economic backgrounds are susceptible to the disease.

Many famous celebrities and political figures have suffered from heart-related health issues. Some of them have even used their personal experiences with heart attack as motivation to make drastic lifestyle changes and to create awareness.

Television and radio host Larry King suffered a heart attack in the late 80s, at the age of 53, and admitted that a subsequent bypass surgery served as a wake-up call. Shortly after his experience, the TV veteran established the Larry King Cardiac Foundation, which helps fund heart bypass operations for people who are unable to cover the medical expenses themselves.

Comedian Rosie O’Donnell experienced a minor heart episode last August. When she learned that her coronary artery was 99 percent blocked and that she needed to get a stent put in, O’Donnell decided it was time to start making lifestyle changes, beginning with a healthier diet. She is now also dedicated to helping other women learn about heart attack symptoms and dangers.

Former president Bill Clinton is perhaps one of the most important figures to talk about heart disease and heart attack prevention. Clinton underwent quadruple bypass surgery in 2004 and had two stents placed a few years later. In 2011, he switched to a mostly vegan diet and has been healthy every since. Clinton regularly speaks about his experience keeping his heart disease under control; and he helps raise awareness of cardiovascular health through the Clinton Foundation.

What can I do to prevent a heart attack from occurring?

Heart disease can significantly increase the risk of heart attack, but it can be prevented in many cases by maintaining a healthy weight, following a healthy diet, and getting regular exercise. Below are a few other recommendations suggested by major heart health organizations nationwide:

Limit alcohol intake. It can increase blood pressure. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends no more than two drinks per day for men and no more than one drink a day for women.
Don’t smoke. It can damage the blood vessels, putting more pressure on the heart to work harder and increasing heart rate and blood pressure along the way.
Monitor blood pressure and cholesterol. The CDC recommends getting cholesterol levels tested at least once every five years by a physician. Meanwhile, blood pressure can be checked by a doctor, at home, or at a pharmacy.
Reduce and manage stress. It can raise blood-sugar and blood pressure levels and can potentially lead to a heart attack over time.

In some cases, seemingly-healthy people can suffer heart attack, often due to genetic factors. If you think you are experiencing a heart attack, seek immediate medical attention. Symptoms of heart attack can include pain or discomfort in the chest, jaw, neck, arms, or shoulder; shortness of breath; dizziness or light-headedness; and nausea or indigestion.

What’s Your Heart Health Score?

check your heart health

February is American Heart Month, and the American Heart Association has created a new online program for people to learn their heart health score.

Heart disease is the number one killer of both men and women in the United States. The term “heart disease” refers to several types of heart conditions, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About 600,000 people die of heart disease in the US every year–that’s 1 in every 4 deaths.

An new interactive feature on the American Heart Association’s website allows people to stay on track with their heart health. People are encouraged to use the program, which is called My Life Check.

You can log on and take a simple five minute assessment. After you take the assessment, the computer will generate your heart health score. It will tell you your risks and what you need to modify to help avoid heart disease. It will also suggest ways to incorporate healthy living.

You can take the My Life Check assessment by using the following link: http://www.heart.org/mylifecheck.

Using the assessment can tell people the state of their heart in addition to what they can do to live a better life.

To help prevent heart disease, the following 7 tips (called the Life’s Simple 7) are presented:

Eat better. Choose healthful meals and snack options, including plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. Adults should have eat least five servings a day.
Lose weight. Being obese or overweight can increase your risk for heart disease.
Get active. Physical activity can help you maintain a healthy weight and lower cholesterol and blood pressure. The surgeon general recommends that adults should engage in moderate-intensity exercise for at least 30 minutes on most days of the week.
Manage blood pressure. High blood pressure often has no symptoms, so be certain to have it checked regularly. Alcohol can increase your blood pressure. Men should drink no more than two drinks per day, women no more than one.
Stop smoking. Smoking greatly increases risk for heart disease.
Control cholesterol. Health care providers can test cholesterol. You should have your level tested every five years.
Reduce blood sugar. If you have diabetes, monitor your blood sugar level closely and talk about treatment options. And take your medication. If you take medicine to treat risks such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol or diabetes, follow your doctor’s instruction carefully.

Risks of Stroke Prevention Medication

For many people who have heart conditions or a history of strokes, therapy and lifestyle changes are not enough; medication is a necessity. Stroke prevention medication saves lives.

Learning the risks of certain drugs will help to reduce the likelihood of hazardous events while you are adjusting to new stroke medication.

Types of Stroke Prevention Medications

There are two primary categories of stroke prevention medications: antiplatelet agents and anticoagulants. Both of these types of drugs work to keeps clots from forming and inhibit the growth of existing clots. They work by different mechanisms and come with varying degrees of risk.

Antiplatelet agents slow the production of thromboxane, a chemical that signals for platelets to stick together and form clots. Aspirin, clopidogrel, dipyridamole and ticlopidine are all common antiplatelet agents.

Anticoagulants target clotting factors, which are proteins made in the liver. These are recommended to patients with a high risk of stroke and atrial fibrillation (AF). Warfarin, Pradaxa, Xarelto and Eliquis are all anticoagulants.

Risks associated with Antiplatelet Agents

Not everyone will benefit from antiplatelet therapy; some people will need to take adjusted doses or use alternative medications. People with a history of the following conditions should consult their doctor before taking these drugs:

a history of liver disease
a history of kidney disease
high blood pressure
bleeding disorders
asthma
gastrointestinal diseases
peptic ulcers

Antiplatelet agents are also not recommended for people who have haemorrhagic strokes (bleeding in the brain).

Risks associated with Anticoagulants

Many patients take warfarin, which has been the staple anticoagulant for decades, but they must follow strict guidelines. First, patients require regular blood tests that measure your International Normalized Ratio (INR), reflecting the time it takes for your blood to clot. Patients also have to monitor their intake of certain foods that can reduce the efficacy of warfarin.

The following foods should be monitored:

Broccoli
Kale
Parsley
Spinach, cabbage and lettuce
Brussels sprouts
Endives
Turnip, collard and mustard greens
Green onions

All of these foods contain vitamin K, which inhibits warfarin’s blood-clotting mechanism. As long as the consumption of these foods is monitored, warfarin can be used. Also, if there are bleeding emergencies that arise during warfarin use, a hospital can administer vitamin K to stop the bleeding.

Anticoagulants without Bleeding Antidotes

Pradaxa, Xarelto and Eliquis are anticoagulants –also known as blood thinners—all made available for use within the last three years. None of them has an antidote, putting users at risk for uncontrollable bleeding accidents.

Falls, small cuts, minor wounds, surgeries, internal and external bruises, and other accidents can quickly escalate into emergency situations. Even with hospitalization and medical care, some patients do not survive these events.

In 2011, there were 542 deaths related to Pradaxa use. Some of these were related to hemorrhaging , while others may have been the result of heart problems. Multiple studies have shown that Pradaxa can increase the risk of heart attack and symptoms of heart disease.

Since Xarelto and Eliquis are newer additions to the blood thinner market, reports of adverse events are yet to be gathered.

Alanna Ritchie is a content writer for Drugwatch.com. She focuses on prescription drugs, medical devices and consumer safety.

Women’s Heart Health: Tips to Keep Your Heart Happy

Last Friday you may have seen a few more women walking around in red. Was it Valentine’s Day come early? No. It was the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women Day. A day that annually, raises awareness for women’s heart health.

Cardiovascular disease is the number one killer of women. Go Red for Women Day communicates to women, that BIG complicated lifestyle changes are not needed to improve heart health. It is the simple everyday things, the small changes in routine, which will improve heart health in the long run.

Benefits of lifestyle modifications programs, to improve heart health, have been proven again and again. Actually, it has even been proven that lifestyle modification programs improve heart health, in a way that hospital care alone cannot do.

Here are some ways you can change your heart health for the better, by simply making some small lifestyle changes. They all add up in the end, making for a healthier heart!

Remember exercise is not just for vanity: We all know them, the magazine and internet articles we read giving us exercise “tips” on how to lose weight. Mainly concentrating on external appearance, these articles miss the point. Yes, exercise can help with weight loss, yet it should not be the main aim of exercise. Exercise should be used to keep your heart healthy and fit. Think about it, your heart is made of muscle. To improve muscle function, it needs to be pushed and exercised regularly. Concentrate on exercises that are known to strengthen your heart (take care of your heart and your waistline will look after itself!)

Choose an activity YOU like: Some people LOVE the gym, others cannot hack it. That is ok, you do not need to go to a gym to exercise. The important thing to focus on an activity you like. An activity that you are likely to do, and may even look forward to doing! Dancing, doing house work energetically and playing with your kids all count! Just make sure you are getting a little out of breadth and raising your heart rate

Move it: Take the little opportunities during the day to move it! Take the stairs, walk to work-all these inject a little extra exercise into your routine

Walk: Walking has been proven to drastically decrease the risk of stroke in women. It is recommended that you get 3.5 hours a week, which is only 30 minutes a day. Try to find situations in which instead of driving, you could walk

Eat Healthy: Give your body good fuel that it can turn into energy. Make sure to eat lots of fruit and veg. Drink at least two liters of water per day. Don’t undo all your hard work by eating foods that are detrimental for heart health.

To learn more about women’s heart health, visit the Go Red For Women website

The Benefits of Exercise for Chronic Heart Disease

To prevent heart disease, exercise is one of the most crucial interventions. Cardiologists-such as Amir R. Haghighat – lead by example, carrying out an active lifestyle, to set a good example for their patients. Even cardiologists need to look after their heart health!

Exercise does play a pivotal role in preventing the development of heart disease. But did you know that exercise is just as beneficial once diagnosed with chronic heart disease? People with chronic heart disease should incorporate exercise into their lives as it:

Lowers cholesterol.
Lowers blood pressure
Builds a healthier heart
Improves muscle strength
Can decrease the need for medication
Decreases stress
Helps control weight

There are three main types of exercise that are beneficial to those with chronic heart disease:

Stretching: increases flexibility and prevents injuries
Strength training: tones muscles
Aerobic exercise: activity that raises heart rate

The most beneficial of these three exercise groups, for those with chronic heart disease is aerobic exercise. Walking (briskly), hiking, jogging, cycling, rowing, swimming and stair climbing are all activities included in this group.

Prior to commencing an exercise regime it is of pivotal importance-when suffering from chronic heart disease- to see your doctor/cardiologist beforehand. They may need to carry out some tests to determine what keep of exercise, and which intensity is best suited to your disease. The most common tests they may run are a physical/exercise stress test. They may also teach you how to monitor your heart rate when exercising, so you can know when it is at the right level. A general rule of thumb is: if you cannot exercise and talking it is probably too intense, however if you can sing while exercising, you may need to increase intensity.

When carrying out your exercise regime it is also important to put safety first. Monitor how your body feels and how it is responding to the exercise. A tip is to keep an activity journal so you can assess progress over time, as well as pinpoint what kind of activities/intensities are not suitable for you body. Some general rules for exercising with chronic heart disease are:

Start off slowly, improvement will come with time
Listen to your body, are there signs that you are doing too much?
If you cannot talk while exercising, are short of breath, feel nauseated/chest pain/ dizziness STOP exercising
If symptoms persist see your cardiologist/physician-you may need to alter your exercise routine
If you feel completely wiped out the day after exercise, adjust your exercise routine-you may be doing too much
Do not exercise in bad weather
Do not do any heavy lifting that is not recommended by your doctor
Do not hold breadth while doing exercises such as push-ups etc. Your heart needs oxygen to work!
Extremely hot/cold showers after working out should not be taken
And most importantly, do not exercise if your disease is not under control!

New innovative EKG technology that can measure heart electricity through a thumb sensor.

New EKG technology could help increase the numbers of patient whose cardiac function is monitored, which could improve the morbidity of patients with cardiovascular disease in hospital.

EKG is one of the most commonly performed tests in hospitals. Used to observe cardiovascular events, this simple and straight forward test can yield detailed information to help medical professionals understand how the heart of a patient is functioning.

The painless noninvasive test, measures the rate and regularity of the heart, as well as the size and position of the heart chambers. Sometimes EKG monitoring may be the only way to detect abnormal heart rhythms, such as atrial fibrillation, which, through clot formation could lead to ischemic stroke. Any damage that the heart has undergone can also detected by the EKG. Patients who have pacemakers often have EKGs done to measure pacemaker performance.

The EKG test is extremely straight forward. The patient is asked to lie down. Six electrodes are placed on their chest. These electrodes just feel like stickers. If there is hair on the chest it must be removed before attaching the electrodes. Then, 6 other electrodes are placed on the outer limbs. The patient is asked to sit still and old their breadth for short times when requested. The test takes about 15 minutes. The electrodes are connected to a machine that makes a time/voltage graph of the electrical activity in the heart. The physician can read the results immediately.

The process of taking an EKG is relatively fast. But with new health technologies available is it about to get a little faster.

11.8% of the American population has cardiovascular disease. In the hospital setting it is important to monitor the heart activity of patients with cardiovascular disease as to decrease morbidity secondary to abnormal heart activity, if possible. However sometimes patients that should be monitored for cardiac activity are not. This is due to time constraints, as well as how many patients a nurse can physically observe at one time.

New technology developed by a London based tech. company is set to increase the amount of patients that can be monitored with EKG. Demonstrated at the Consumer Electronics Show (C.E.S.) in Las Vegas, this hand held electronic monitor uses patients two thumbs instead of electrodes to measure the electrical activity of the heart. There is no need for the conductive electrodes or skin preparation. And the best news is it suggests that health care professionals can monitor the EKG of 5 times the amount of patient that they currently do in a hospital setting.

Health care professionals are embracing technology. Smartphones and tablets are often used in the clinical setting. When a doctor prescribes a medicine, he also may suggest a certain app. to help a patient manage their health. This new method of EKG measurement is just another example of how technology can improve healthcare.