"Many people take better care of their car than their body," said Dr. Denton A. Cooley, founder, president and surgeon-in-chief of the Texas Heart Institute. "They worry about changing the oil regularly perform tuning and use proper gasoline. But when it comes to your own body, feed it with foods that are high in fat and salt, smoke and do not exercise regularly. Medical advances can not eradicate cardiovascular disease. Good health depends largely on people to do their part. "
Cardiovascular diseases are those that affect the heart or blood vessels. Although steps have been taken to inform people about their causes and prevention remain the leading cause of death in the United States in both men and women. Cardiovascular disease kills one person every 39 seconds in the United States, or nearly 2,200 people per day, more than cancer, lower respiratory disease, chronic, and accidents combined. New research and treatment methods have reduced the number of deaths from cardiovascular disease but not the number of people affected.
Certain factors significantly influence the likelihood that a person will develop heart disease. They are called "risk factors." Some risk factors can be controlled but not others.
"Although it is not possible to control risk factors such as sex, age and heredity, it is possible to change the risk factors related to lifestyle, to prevent or delay the onset of cardiovascular disease," says Dr. Cooley. "Medical studies show that it is possible to reduce cardiovascular risk if you eat a diet low in fat, salt and cholesterol, do not consume any kind of snuff, exercising at least three times a week, maintaining a healthy weight and blood pressure is reduced. "
More information on this Web site:
Cardiovascular risk factors
The exercise-or lack of exercise, plays an important role in our health. Studies show that we do aerobic exercise (such as brisk walking, jogging or cycling) at least three times a week for 30 minutes to strengthen the heart. In addition, medical studies show that short periods of physical exercise that together add up to 30 minutes per day are as beneficial to health such as 30 minutes of continuous exercise.
"One of the best measures we can take to improve health is to eat low-fat foods and exercising regularly," said Dr. Cooley. "Exercise burns calories, reduces appetite, blood pressure and stress and raises levels of HDL (the" good cholesterol "). It also enhances the picture and makes us feel better. It's almost too easy. "
More information on this website: Exercise
You can also reduce cardiovascular risk by simply implementing a few sensible changes in diet. The heart-healthy habits include limiting salt intake to less than 2,300 milligrams of sodium. (People who suffer from high blood pressure may need to be further limit your salt intake-about 1,500 milligrams per day.)
The diet should consist primarily of fruits, vegetables, grains, lean meats and fish. It is advisable to reduce the consumption of fat (especially saturated fat) and cholesterol (fatty red meats, whole milk, cheese made from whole milk, eggs, cream dishes and desserts that are high in fat).
"You can reduce the blood cholesterol level between five and ten percent eating a heart-healthy diet ie eating more fiber and less fat and cholesterol," says Dr. Cooley. "When we eat high fiber foods, we feel satisfied and eat less foods high in calories, fat and cholesterol."
More information on this Web site:
Nutrition
Cholesterol
Alcohol also affects the heart. Medical studies show that daily consumption of a moderate amount of alcohol protects against heart disease and heart attacks. Experts say that moderate consumption is an average of one to two drinks per day for men and one drink per day for women. One drink is defined as 1.5 fl oz (44 ml) of spirits of an alcoholic strength of 40 ° (80 proof) (such as bourbon or scotch, vodka, gin, etc..), 1 fl oz (30 ml ) of spirits of an alcoholic strength of 50 ° (100 proof), 4 fl oz (118 ml) of wine or 12 fluid ounces (355 ml) of beer. But drinking more than a moderate alcohol can cause heart-related problems, such as high blood pressure, stroke, irregular heartbeats, and cardiomyopathy (heart muscle disease). Also, drink has between 100 and 200 calories. The calories in alcohol often increase body fat, which can in turn increase cardiovascular risk. It is not recommended that nondrinkers start doing or that you already drink alcohol increase their consumption.
Stress is another factor that can affect the heart. People suffering from cardiovascular disease often report feeling pain in the heart during emotional stress. Also more likely to suffer a heart attack during times of stress, because the heart races and blood pressure increases. When this happens, the heart needs more oxygen. Stress can damage the arteries due to increased production of hormones and increased blood flow during stress response. To heal the artery walls thicken them, thus facilitating the accumulation of plaque which narrows the artery. This does not mean that stress causes heart disease, but researchers say it may aggravate them.
More information on this Web site:
Heart attack
High Blood Pressure
"Most of us believe we do not feel healthy if symptoms of illness. However, sometimes the first obvious symptoms of cardiovascular disease is a heart attack, "says Dr. Cooley. "When symptoms begin to appear cardiovascular disease, the damage has already occurred. Therefore it is important to know what the cardiovascular risk factors and take steps to reduce that risk. With only control one or more risk factors, you can add months and possibly years to our lives. "
For more information about their personal risk factors, answer the test questions cardiovascular health in the Texas Heart Institute (English only).
Dr. Denton A. Cooley founded the Texas Heart Institute at St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital in 1962 for the study and treatment of diseases of the heart and blood vessels. Have been conducted at the Institute over 109,000 open heart operations, 230,000 cardiac catheterizations diagnoses, an experience that no other place can match. Institute physicians are also world leaders in non-surgical treatment methods. The Texas Heart Institute consistently ranks among the top ten cardiology centers in the United States in the annual guide "America's Best Hospitals in America" by U.S. News and World Report.
