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Most people are aware of the most common signs of heart attack but there are some differences between men and women.

The most common symptom of a heart attack for both men and women is persistent chest pain or pressure that does not go away when you sit or rest. If you experience this seek immediate emergency help. Even if it is not a heart attack you don’t want to take the chance.

Other symptoms of a heart attack include pain that radiates through the shoulders, back, arms, or jaw. As well, less intense chest pain accompanied by shortness of breath, dizziness, or nausea should be taken seriously.

Women may experience other symptoms not normally associated with a heart attack. Women are more likely to experience the “milder” warning signs like shortness of breath, dizziness, anxiety, fatigue, and cold sweats. Women may also experience these signs days or weeks prior to an actual attack. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, make an appointment with your doctor.

Adults of all ages can experience heart attack. Risk factors for heart disease include tobacco use, high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol.

Lifestyle changes can be difficult, but many resources exist. Your doctor will have plenty of information on all the major risk factors. You can also find additional information from organizations such as the American Medical Association.

Remember getting help early could save your life.

Tagged with: cardiovascular disease • differences between men and women • heart attack • heart failure • heart healthy

Heart fluttering is a condition that most people have experienced at some time or another. It is the sensation of a heart beating too swiftly or irregularly.

Heart fluttering is usually called “palpitations,” which are rapid, forceful, regular or irregular heartbeats that are quite noticeable to the individual. A rapid, regular heart fluttering may be associated with sensation of pounding in the neck as well.

Heart fluttering occurs normally during an exertion or an emotion, but some people can have an increase of irregularities of heart rate without warning and without an apparent reason.

If heart fluttering is short-lasting there probably is no problem, but if it lasts more than half an hour, it is advisable to call on a physician or a hospital to make an examination and an ECG.

While heart fluttering can be scary, it is usually not a sign of an impending heart attack. For most people who are physically healthy, they do not signify an underlying heart disorder but are most commonly caused by physical exertion, anxiety, fear, excessive smoking, too much caffeine, and ingredients in certain medications.

Heart fluttering can also be caused by actual heart disease. This A cardiologist may be able to make a diagnosis based on the pattern, or may order an electrocardiogram for more precise information. When symptoms such as sweating, faintness, and chest pain occur with the heart fluttering, it is best to seek help immediately.

If you have concerns about heart fluttering it is best to consult your doctor.

Tagged with: cardiovascular disease • heart attack • heart failure • Is Heart Fluttering Dangerous

Do you exercise every day? If you want to live a long, healthy life, maybe you should.

A recent study by a physician at the University of Florida indicates one of the strongest risk factors for developing heart disease is inactivity, even more so than being overweight. During the four-year study it was documented those who exercised moderately were less likely to develop heart disease than those who didn’t.

For exercise to avoid heart attack it is strongly urged that everyone should take part in “at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity” on most days, above whatever activities they do at home or work.

A study of 9,611 adults by the University of Michigan Health System, found that people in their 50s and 60s who participated in daily exercise were 35 percent less likely to die within the next eight years than those who don’t exercise to prevent heart attack.

If you’re not use to exercising, check with your doctor before beginning any strenuous fitness routine. Start slow. If 30 minutes of exercise is too much, start with 15 minutes and add a few minutes each day.

Schedule a specific time to exercise everyday – then keep to your schedule! Do more intense activities that can improve your heart health, such as: running, dancing, swimming, cycling, and climbing stairs.

Find exercise that you enjoy. Wear proper clothing and footwear. Add everyday activities to increase your overall fitness level, such as gardening, housework and walking to the store.

Always drink lots of water. Always consult with your physician.

Exercise every day…take care of your heart…live long!

Tagged with: cardiomyopathy • coronary artery disease • exercise to avoid heart attack • heart attack • Heart Disease

Arteriosclerosis is a disease that affects the arterial blood vessel. Arteriosclerosis may be one of the most easily preventable diseases of modern times in the 40 to 70 age group.

Coronary Arteriosclerosis is the blockage and narrowing of the blood vessels and is commonly referred to as hardening of the arties. The loss of elastically and narrowing of the arties can lead to high blood pressure and if left untreated, increases the chance of a stroke and heart attack.

Research is showing that lowering cholesterol and triglycerides in ones blood will lower the chance of coronary arteriosclerosis. Over the counter treatment is usually the first method of treatment, such as stopping smoking and regular exercise.

As well, Vitamin C has show to reduce cholesterol levels and lowers high blood pressure.

Vitamin E has been shown to help circulation and promote normal blood clotting. Vitamin E is also known to help the red blood cells to live longer and keep them from breaking down too soon.

Pantothenic Acid is a form of nontoxic B vitamins. Pantothenic Acid is critical in metabolism and use of carbohydrates, proteins and fats.

Niacin is the closest thing available to a perfect treatment for Arteriosclerosis. It corrects most causes of coronary heart disease. Niacin helps to block the release of fatty acids from fat cells.

Policosanol is a natural supplement derived from sugar cane. Policosanol promotes normal cholesterol levels in the human body.

Natural antioxidants can be found in fruits and vegetables such as, apples, blueberries, broccoli, cherries, cranberries, grapes and spinach,. Anti-oxidants also aid in the reduction of Arteriosclerosis.

Arteriosclerosis is also increasingly being treated with low-dose aspirin.

Always consult your doctor before using this information.

Tagged with: arteriosclerosis • cardio • cardiovascular disease • coranry artery disease • heart attack • Heart Disease

You probably know that brushing and flossing your teeth can help you prevent bad breath, cavities, and plaque. But, did you know that gum disease may affect your heart? A recent study has said this to be true. A 2005 edition of the journal Circulation, says that “taking good care of your teeth and gums could prevent you from having a stroke or heart attack.”

The link between heart disease and gum disease has been studied for years, but no concrete evidence has been found. Many experts in the medical field believe that the two diseases are connected in a way that the bacteria causing in gum disease can travel to the arteries and cause the arteries to swell and narrow, blocking the flow of blood and oxygen to the heart. Once the arteries are narrowed and the blood carrying oxygen is blocked, heart disease may occur.

Because of this belief, many have claimed that people with gum disease have a two times greater chance of developing heart disease as much as those who don’t have gum disease.

The link between the two is still currently being researched.

However, there’s nothing wrong also with considering a healthy oral practice. Even if gum disease isn’t actually causing heart disease, the connection between the two could still be important.

Tagged with: cardio • cardiovascular disease • coranry artery disease • gum disease • heart attack • Heart Disease

Heart disease is one of the talked about health-related topics today. It is apparent that a lot of people are becoming more and more health conscious, but still there are those who aren’t.

There are several types of heart disease, but the major ones are the atherosclerosis, coronary, rheumatic, congenital, myocarditis, angina, and arrhythmia heart disease. Although heart disease can be deadly, it can also be preventable. The most basic and simple ways to prevention is to exercise regularly, eat heart-healthy diet, maintain healthy weight, avoid smoking, and have regular health screenings. It is never too late to change lifestyles and practice healthy habits.

Heart disease can be caused by many factors and smoking is one of them. Smoking and using any tobacco products are never safe. No amount of tobacco is ever considered safe. Cigarette smoking and use of tobacco products are the most preventable causes of deaths around the globe.

Heart disease that is caused by smoking is coronary heart disease. Many studies show that this that is caused by smoking. Cigarette and tobacco products users have a higher risk of developing heart disease than non smokers. Smokers who have a heart attack are more likely to die within an hour of the heart attack

Tobacco products contain thousands of chemicals and nicotine which is very addictive.
Smoking increases blood pressure, decreases exercise tolerance, and increases the tendency for blood clot. When the blood clots build up and block the arteries, heart attack will occur. Therefore, it is evidenced that smoking contributes to heart disease.

Studies also have shown that the risk of developing smoking related heart disease, after five years of giving up this bad habit, is the same as for someone who never smoked!

Stop smoking…your heart will love you for it.

Tagged with: cardio • cardiovascular disease • coranry artery disease • heart attack • Heart Disease • smoking

Arteriosclerosis is synonymous to coronary heart disease. Coronary heart disease, or coronary artery disease, is the narrowing of the small blood vessels that supply blood and oxygen to the heart. This condition results from the accumulation of fatty substance and plaque in the arteries. As the coronary arteries narrow, the flow of blood to the heart slows down or stops resulting in chest pain, or angina, shortness of breath, or heart attack.

Both of these are the leading cause of death in the U.S. for both women and men alike. There are many factors which can increase the risk of arteriosclerosis. Some of the risks are based on family history and others are preventable.

The major risk factors of heart disease may include diabetes, physical inactivity, menopause in women, obesity, tobacco use, high blood pressure, infection that cause inflammation to the artery, high cholesterol level, and many more.

The symptoms for people with arteriosclerosis may include chest pain (angina), shortness of breath, and heart attack. Angina, or squeezing pain in the chest, is the common symptom of this dangerous disease. This is the result when your heart is not getting enough blood that carries oxygen and other nutrients which the heart and other parts of the body need to function properly.

Shortness of breath is when your heart is too weak to function. If your heart is not pumping enough blood to circulate in the body, this is manifested in shortness of breath and sometimes swollen feet and ankles. In rare cases, heart attack is the first sign of the disease.

The common treatments include a change in your lifestyle, medications, and surgery. A change in lifestyle would mean that you have to have a proper diet which cannot increase your cholesterol level, get involved in physical activities, and lose weight.

If you suspect that you might have arteriosclerosis, you must see a doctor right away. The symptoms you experienced will help your doctor to decide whether you will need to be tested for heart disease.

Tagged with: arteriosclerosis • cardio • cardiovascular disease • coranry artery disease • heart attack • Heart Disease

Cardiovascular disease, also known as CVD, is the number one killer of men and women of all ethnic groups in the United States. Cardiovascular diseases include such problems as high blood pressure, arrhythmia, valve disease, congestive heart failure and stroke. The truth of the matter is that one in four women is affected with some form of cardiovascular disease.

Risk factors for cardiovascular diseases include high blood pressure, obesity, abnormal blood glucose, and even the use of tobacco, among other things. When addressed at an early age, these risk factors can be fixed to help prevent cardiovascular disease.

Altering ones lifestyle can help to lower the chances of cardiovascular diseases. Eating a diet that is low in fat and cholesterol, adding more fruits and vegetables to your diet, drinking enough water daily and exercising for half an hour a day are all suggested ways to lower the chances of cardiovascular disease.

Cardiovascular diseases are known as silent killers, as they often have no symptoms. If you think you may be having any symptoms of heart disease, you should speak to your doctor

In connection with cardiovascular disease are “’palpitations’. They interrupt the normal heart rhythm, which can feel like a missed beat. This can actually be harmless “quirk” of your body’s functions, or can lead to problems that are far more serious.

If a woman has these palpitations or any other symptoms such as dizziness, blurred vision, or shortness of breath, she should contact her doctor. A complete medical history, physical exam, and other tests will be run to determine the cause of these behaviors, which can be anything from stress-related behavior to something far more dangerous.

The advice and consultation of a physician where cardiovascular disease is concerned is the only way to go.

Tagged with: cardio • cardiovascular disease • coranry artery disease • heart attack • Heart Disease

Congestive heart failure is a very serious disease and none of these suggestions should be tried without first consulting your physician.

Try a heart-friendly herb. The leaves and flowers of the herb hawthorn contain abundant supplies of compounds called flavonoids. Flavonoids can improve the heart’s pumping ability and the flow of blood through the circulatory system. Hawthorn has been shown to be very useful in treating CHF in the early stages.

However, hawthorn is a potent herb, so check with your doctor before you begin taking it. It may interfere with some high blood pressure medications and could be dangerous to those with low blood pressure.

Use willow bark to aid in the treatment of congestive heart failure. The herb willow bark contains a compound, salicin, that’s the chemical forerunner of aspirin. Like aspirin, willow bark can help prevent blood clotting that leads to heart attack and stroke. There is indication the herb may also benefit people with CHF.

If you have been diagnosed with congestive heart failure, find support. People with CHF who get emotional support from others are much more likely to manage their symptoms effectively.To find a CHF support group in your area, ask your doctor or contact your local office of the American Heart Association.

Lose those unwanted pounds. Being over­weight raises your blood pressure and makes your heart work harder to move blood through all the extra tissue. Losing weight lowers your blood pressure and gives your tired heart a break.

Research indicates that the combination of weight control and sodium restriction can make an even bigger difference in your blood pressure and congestive heart failure symptoms.

CHF is serious, so before beginning any new routines, check with your doctor.

Tagged with: cardiovascular disease • congestive heart failure • heart attack • Heart Disease • heart failure • home remedies

No matter what age you are, if you are not in shape you have probably wondered about it for heart health. You might have even made some type of New Years resolution or gotten a membership at a gym. That’s great because the benefits of cardio training for your heart are many.

Besides weight loss, there are a lot of long-term benefits that happen when you do cardio. You can get a stronger heart and healthier lungs. Having a healthy cardiovascular system is very important to long term health.

Cardio training reduces stress; and reduced stress is good for heart health. If you struggle with depression and anxiety (which is not good for heart health), then a cardio workout can temporarily relieve you of your symptoms and you will feel better.

Attempting to keep your heart healthy by having a cardio routine can set a great example for children, so that they grow up to have healthy hearts and long lives. Children follow by example.

Now comes the question, how long does one need to do a cardio workout to get these benefits? Some say you need to do 30 - 60 minutes of cardio three to five days a week, and some other people say if you have a heavy workout you can do three days a week for 20 minutes. However, just getting out there and doing something active is great for your heart as well as your overall health.

Make sure to check with your doctor though before beginning any new cardio routine to ensure the health of your heart.

Tagged with: cardio • cardiovascular disease • coranry artery disease • heart attack • Heart Disease