Archive for the ‘Heart Rate Monitors’ Category
Atherosclerosis
About a month ago i had one of my toe on my left foot who was blue and felt dry, at first i thought it probably was in need of foot cream or lotion, but after a week of application it was not getting any better, so i went to see a podiatrist. to make a long story short he diagnosed that it could be atherosclerosis and that it could be the beginning of a serious problem.
Being that this sounded more serious then i thought i started to do recherche on this particular condition and this is a brief resume of my findings:
Regardless of the cause, high cholesterol plays a major role in the development of atherosclerosis or hardening and narrowing of the arteries, which in turn raises the risk of heart attack and stoke. In this case the major culprit is elevated LDL. While LDL is harmful, HDL, a good form of cholesterol, helps arteries, it quiets inflammation in damaged arteries and block the oxidation of LDL.
In a healthy artery, the inner lining is smooth and intact, but disease or injury, as well as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes can damage this lining paving the way for atherosclerosis.
Atherosclerosis begins when white blood cells move into the lining and artery wall. They transform into foam cells which accumulate fat and cholesterol. Other substances, such as calcium, also collect at the site and eventually an atherosclerotic plaque forms. These plaques thicken and harden the artery wall and bulge into the bloodstream to reduce or block blood flow. When one of those plaque get loose it can trigger a blood clot leading to heart attack or stroke. Keeping track of your numbers can help you maintain a better health.
What are your numbers ?
When thinking on how to avoid hart problems, you automatically think of your cholesterol numbers or level, those are important , but there are others very important ones you should know as well to minimize any problems. Every individual should keep track of the following : Total cholesterol should be under 200 milligrams per deciliter. LDL should be under 100 mg/dl. Hdl should be above 50 mg/dl for women and above 40 for men. Blood pressure should be no higher then 120/80.
Triglycerides should be under 150mg/dl. BMI shouldn’t be higher than 25. If your body mass index (your weight-to-height ratio) tops that figure, your hart risk increase 32%. Over 29 and it spikes 81%. Waist circumference should be 35 inches or less for women and no more than 40 inches for men.
If those numbers are high along with family history and other specific tests your odds for a heart attack are increased.
Experts are saying when it comes to preventing heart disease, regular exercise is one of the most powerful tools at your disposal, as potent as statin. Again regardless of your age it is never to late to be and stay healthy.
For a Healthy heart a proper diet is as important : Daily you should incorporate a balance of whole grains, fruits and vegetables,nuts legumes, fish and poultry, lean red meat for protein and virgin olive oil as a fat source. Try to minimize refine sugar, sodas, process foods, and refined grains.
Remember while you exercise ware your heart rate monitor it will help you over doing it and could save you a trip to the E.R.
Staying Heart Healthy After a Medical Scare
If you’ve recently suffered a heart attack or had some kind of less severe scare, it’s very likely that it will be the motivation you need to make drastic changes in your life. These kinds of scares can often make people eat right and exercise even after a lifetime of avoiding this kind of healthy behavior. But if you’re starting a rigorous new routine after a health-related incident, make sure that you consult with your doctor to ensure that you’re healthy enough for the routine.
Also, make sure that you’re outfitted with all the equipment that you’ll need to assist your exercise routine. To that end, make sure you have a water bottle to help keep you hydrated and a music device to help keep you pumped and motivated. But one of the most important pieces of equipment is a heart rate monitor. Especially if you’ve recently had heart issues, you want to be able to carefully check and gauge exactly how your heart is reacting to a particular workout. If the monitor indicates that anything out of the ordinary is happening, discontinue the routine immediately and consult your doctor.