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Cholesterol Levels in Women

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What are HDL and LDL?
HDL and LDL are two different kinds of cholesterol that are measured as an index of a patient’s risk for cardiovascular disease. HDL stands for high-density lipoprotein and LDL stands for low-density lipoprotein. Total cholesterol measures the combination of HDL and LDL, along with several other factors. The levels of “fats” in the blood-total cholesterol, HDL (a subset called “good cholesterol”) and LDL (“bad cholesterol”) and triglycerides have been used for years to predict the risk of heart disease in men. Higher cholesterol, LDL, triglycerides, and/or low HDL all are associated with increased risk of heart diseases in men.

What do the numbers mean?
Many studies found that women with higher total cholesterol levels also had higher rates of a form of heart disease called coronary artery disease. That is where the arteries to the heart become clogged. This leads to heart attacks. For cholesterol, levels of about 200 or less are generally not associated with much increased heart disease. Women with total cholesterol levels of 265 or more have been found to have this disease two or three times as often as women with levels of about 200. Even mildly elevated levels, of about 235, had about 70% higher rates, than normal.

Men in the same situation are put on a diet and drugs to lower their cholesterol. The goal was to increase HDL, and lower LDL and total cholesterol. Little was done to lower elevated triglyceride levels. The men’s rates of disease dropped. A closer look at the problem in women found something different. Low HDL (“good cholesterol”) levels were the strongest predictor of heart disease in women. These are generally levels less than 50 (mg/dL). Low HDL and high cholesterol go hand in hand for many, which led to the confusion about what was important. Women with total cholesterol levels as low as 200 who also had low HDL levels still had high risks of heart disease. In fact, the best predictor for women, according to one study, was the ratio of cholesterol to HDL. If a woman’s total cholesterol is about 4 times or so of her HDL level, her risk of heart disease skyrockets to up to five times that of her normal counterpart. If her triglycerides are high, her risk goes up, too. Again, that happens even if she has a low total cholesterol level.

Unlike men, a high LDL (“bad cholesterol”) level is not as strong a predictor of future trouble, although there is still considerable debate on this. Some experts believe LDL is not to be worried about for most women, except for particular sub-groups of women who are affected. As one might expect, until we clarify the importance of LDL for women and factor in the additional significance HDL has for women, the HDL/LDL ratio’s significance is muddied.

The Bottom Line

Total cholesterol in and of itself does not matter so much. Look at the other factors and ratios: especially HDL, triglycerides, and the cholesterol to HDL ratio. The significance of LDL and ratios with it are uncertain. Most of all, keep checking for new research. This area is rapidly changing for women.

Source:www.estronaut.com

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News on Health & Science

MEN WITH MIGRAINES

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A study of 1,449 men who reported having migraines found that they had a significant 24 percent increased risk of major cardiovascular disease and a 42 percent increased risk of heart attack. It’s not clear exactly why migraines affect the cardiovascular system, but studies of women with migraines have shown a similar increased risk of cardiovascular problems. Researchers from Harvard Medical School say that people with migraines should be aware of all their potential risk factors for heart disease, including high blood pressure and high cholesterol, diabetes and obesity, and try to reduce them as much as possible. These findings were presented this week at the 2006 American Heart Association Meeting in Chicago.

Source:ABC News

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Meditation

Clean Your Arteries With Meditation

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Enter the right state of mind and reduce plaque levels!

Learning to meditate could actually help your body clean out its arteries, according to a study published in Stroke, a journal of the American Heart Association.

The researchers assigned 60 African American men and women with high blood pressure to either a transcendental meditation (TM) program or a control group. The TM group practiced meditation 20 minutes twice a day. After seven months researchers found that the people in this group lowered their plaque levels (measured by carotid intima-media thickness, or IMT, which reflects the level of fatty substances deposited on the artery walls), reducing their overall heart attack risk up to 11 percent and their stroke risk up to 15 percent. The other group had no reduction; in fact, their plaque levels increased.

“Cardiovascular disease is associated with psychological stress,” explained Amparo Castillo-Richmond, M.D., the study’s lead author. “Previous research has found that the TM program decreases coronary heart disease risk factors, including hypertension, oxidized lipids, stress hormones, and psychological stress.” Moreover, according to the researchers, the state of “restful alertness” brought on by meditation may trigger the body’s self-repair mechanisms.

A later study found that when it comes to reducing atherosclerosis, the overall effectiveness of a program that involved meditation and yoga along with a high-fiber, low-fat diet, aerobic exercise, and antioxidant supplements was even greater than in studies involving cholesterol-lowering drugs.

From:Cut Your Cholesterol

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Ailmemts & Remedies

Coronary Heart Disease

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The term coronary heart disease covers a group of clinical syndromes arising particularly from failure of the coronary arteries to supply sufficient blood to the heart. They include angina pectoris, coronary thrombosis or heart attack, and sudden death without infarction. click & see

Symptoms:
1.Shortness of breath :A common symptom of heart disease is shortness of breath, which is caused by the blood being deprived of the proper amount of oxygen.

2. Chest pain or pain down either arm:Another common symptom is chest pain or pain down either arm.

3. Palpitations, fatigue, fainting, emotional instability, cold hands and feet:Other symptoms are palpitations, fainting, emotional instability, cold hands and feet, frequent perspiration, and fatigue.

Causes :Family history;wrong eating habit;faulty style of living;obesity;smoking;elevated blood levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, and other fatty substances;elevated blood pressure, elevated blood uric acid levels (mainly caused by high protein diet);certain metabolic disorders, notably diabetes:lack of physical exercise….Each or a combination of these risk factors can contribute to heart disease. Most of them are of dietary origin. Constant worry and tension stimulate the adrenal glands to produce more adrenaline and cortisone. This also contributes to constricted arteries, high blood pressure and increased work for the heart.

Let me jot down some preventive very common home medicines which might give some relief to Coronary Heart Patients:-

Firstly, patient should always pay attention to other laws of nature for health building such as taking moderate exercise, getting proper rest and sleep, and adopting a positive mental attitude and try to create happiness within.

Yoga is most effective in this type disease.

Some Home Remedy:
Coronary Heart Disease treatment using Grapes

Fresh fruits in general are beneficial in the treatment of heart disease. They tone up the heart. Grapes are especially effective in heart pain and palpitation of the heart, and the disease can be rapidly controlled if the patient adopts an exclusive diet of grapes for a few days. Grape juice is particularly valuable when one is actually suffering from a heart attack.

Coronary Heart Disease treatment using Apple

Apples have heart-stimulating properties. Patients suffering from a weak heart will benefit greatly by making liberal use of this fruit and apple jam.

Coronary Heart Disease treatment using Indian Gooseberry

Indian gooseberry is considered an effective home remedy for heart disease. It tones up the functions of all the organs of the body, and builds up health by destroying the heterogeneous elements and renewing lost energy. When the fruit is in season, one medium-sized Indian gooseberry can be taken with a little salt daily; when not in season, dry pieces can be chewed .

Coronary Heart Disease treatment using Onion

Onions have been found valuable in heart disease. They are useful in normalising the percentage of blood cholesterol by oxidising excess cholesterol. One teaspoon of raw onion juice first thing in the morning is beneficial in such cases.

Coronary Heart Disease treatment using Honey

Honey has got marvellous properties to prevent all sorts of heart disease. It tones up the heart and improves the circulation. It is also effective in cardiac pain and palpitation of the heart. One tablespoon daily after food is sufficient to prevent all sorts of heart troubles.

Coronary Heart Disease treatment using Asparagus

Asparagus is an excellent food for strengthening the heart.. A good medicine for a weak or an enlarged heart is prepared by mixing the freshly extracted juice of this vegetable with honey, in the ratio of 2:1. A teaspoon of this medicine should be taken three times daily. Patients with heart disease will also benefit by steam cooking this vegetable.

Coronary Heart Disease treatment using Alfalfa

The herb alfalfa in the form of juice has been found very helpful in most troubles related to the arteries and heart diseases.Only the leaves of the plant are used for this purpose, when they can be obtained fresh. The juice of fresh alfalfa is, however, too strong and potent to be taken by itself. It is best taken with carrot juice in equal quantities of 125ml each, twice daily.In this combination, the individual benefits of each juice are intensified.

Coronary Heart Disease treatment using Safflower

Safflower oil has proved beneficial in lowering blood cholestrol. Hence it can be used liberally with persons suffering from cardiovascular disorders. An emulsion with the trade name Saffloxin-Cipla is used routinely during myocardial infarction, cardiac ischaemia, and hypertension.

Coronary Heart Disease treatment using Vitamin E

Patients with heart disease should increase their intake of foods rich in vitamin E, as this vitamin is said to promote heart function by improving oxygenation of the cells. It also improves the circulation and muscle strength. Many wholemeal products and green vegetables, particularly outer leaves of cabbage, are good sources of vitamin E.

Coronary Heart Disease treatment using Vitamin C

Vitamin C is also essential as it protects against spontaneous breaches in capillary walls which can lead to heart attacks. It also guards against high blood cholesterol. The stress of anger, fear, disappointment., and similar emotions can raise blood fat and cholesterol levels immediately but this reaction to stress can do little harm if the diet is adequate in vitamin C and pantothenic acid. One of the richest sources of vitamin C is citrus fruits.

Coronary Heart Disease diet

Diet should be lacto-vegetarian, low on sodium and calories

The fundamental conditioning factor in all heart diseases is the diet, which should be lacto-vegetarian, and low on sodium and calories. It should consist of high quality, natural organic foods, with emphasis on wholegrains, seeds, fresh fruits, and vegetables

Try to avoid food like white flour products, tea, coffee, tobacco, salt and sugar

Foods which should be eliminated from the diet include white flour products, sweets, chocolates, canned foods in syrup, soft drinks, squashes, tea, coffee, alcohol, and tobacco, and all solid fats of animal origin such as butter, cream and fatty meats. Salt and sugar should he reduced substantially.

DOCTORS SHOULD ALWAYS BE CONSULTED FOR ALL KINDS OF HEART DISEASES.

Disclaimer: This information is not meant to be a substitute for professional medical advise or help. It is always best to consult with a Physician about serious health concerns. This information is in no way intended to diagnose or prescribe remedies.

Partly extracted from:http://www.home-remedies-for-you.com/remedy/Coronary-Heart-Disease.html

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