Heart disease is an umbrella term for a number of different diseases which affect the heart. The most common heart diseases are:
Coronary heart disease, a disease of the heart itself caused by the accumulation of atheromatous plaques within the walls of the arteries that supply the myocardium
Ischaemic heart disease, another disease of the heart itself, characterized by reduced blood supply to the organ.
Cardiovascular disease, a sub-umbrella term for a number of diseases that that affect the heart itself and/or the blood vessel system, especially the veins and arteries leading to and from the heart. Research on disease dimorphism suggests that women who suffer with cardiovascular disease usually suffer from forms that affect the blood vessels while men usually suffer from forms that affect the heart muscle itself. Well known causes of cardiovascular disease include diabetes mellitus, hypertension and hypercholesterolemia.
Pulmonary heart disease, a failure of the right side of the heart.
Hereditary heart disease, heart disease caused by unavoidable genetic factors
Hypertensive heart disease, heart disease caused by high blood pressure, especially localised high blood pressure
Inflammatory heart disease, heart disease that involves inflammation of the heart muscle and/or the tissue surrounding it.
Valvular heart disease, heart disease that affects the valves of the heart.
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Thursday, December 21, 2006
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
Key to health
Are Stem Cells the key to health? by Mike Martinez
We hear much controversy concerning the ethical nature of Stem Cell reasearch. In particular embryonic stem cells. The reason is clear, embryonic stem cells are taken from a developing embryo, thus destroying it. Yet Stem Cell research continues because they have shown to have the potential to develop or transform themselves in almost any cell in the human body. This means a rejuvenation of damaged or injured organs. Many of todays so called degenerative diseases, which we currently have little if any effective therapies, could in fact be alleviated or healed. Advocates of Stem Cell research argue that Stem Cells could hold the key to curing diseases like cancer, AIDS, Alzheimer and multiple sclerosis, just to name a few. Facinating science.
However what most people have not heard about is Adult Stem Cells. These Stem Cells are found in the human body, mainly in the bone marrow. Recent research shows that Adult Stem Cells also have the ability to renew damaged organs and tissue within the body.
In fact, while embryonic Stem Cells have not been used in even one human theraphy, Adult Stem Cells have already been used successfully in numerous patients. Jay Lefkowitz, a former adviser to President Bush on Stem Cell policy says, "Adult Stem cells are really where the real progress is being made."
The key difference with Stem Cells is that they can divide, regenerate and actually become different organ cells. Research has conclusively shown Stem Cells can become liver cells, blood cells, pancrea cells, heart cells, and even brain cells. Almost any cell or tissue in the body.
For decades now Adult Stem Cells have been used very successfully in bone marrow transplants to treat certain cases of blood disorders and leukemia. A massive amount of research, which is still in it's early stage but none the less very promising, shows impressive results for heart damage due to heart attacks, liver disease, bone and cartilage diseases and brain disorders.
In a landmark experiment, Professor Saul J. Sharkis of John Hopkins University was able to convert bone-marrow Adult Stem Cells from animal donors into healthy liver cells. He says, "It is mind blowing stuff. I never would have thought this would be possible."
In another landmark experiment carried out by scientist at Yale University in 2001, Adult Stem Cells taken from the bone marrow of male mice were injected into female mice whose own marrow was destroyed by radiation irradation. Eleven months later, the male stem cells (identified through the Y chromosome) were found not only in the females' bone marrow, but also in their blood, guts, lungs and skin tissue.
While there is still much to learn about the magic of Adult Stem Cells, we can rest assure that a breakthrough in health is right around the corner.
About the Author
Mike Martinez is at the forefront educating people on the benefits of Adult Stem Cell enhancement for optimal health. For more information visit http:www.stemcellmagic.com , hearth.com ,
hearth-disesae.com , coronary.com ,
Cardiac.net, heart-attack.net,heart.net
, coronar.net healthdisesae@hotmail,
coronary@yahoo.com, Cardiac@hotmail.com,
Health disesae,Health disesae,Health disesae,
Health disesae,Health disesae,Health disesae
We hear much controversy concerning the ethical nature of Stem Cell reasearch. In particular embryonic stem cells. The reason is clear, embryonic stem cells are taken from a developing embryo, thus destroying it. Yet Stem Cell research continues because they have shown to have the potential to develop or transform themselves in almost any cell in the human body. This means a rejuvenation of damaged or injured organs. Many of todays so called degenerative diseases, which we currently have little if any effective therapies, could in fact be alleviated or healed. Advocates of Stem Cell research argue that Stem Cells could hold the key to curing diseases like cancer, AIDS, Alzheimer and multiple sclerosis, just to name a few. Facinating science.
However what most people have not heard about is Adult Stem Cells. These Stem Cells are found in the human body, mainly in the bone marrow. Recent research shows that Adult Stem Cells also have the ability to renew damaged organs and tissue within the body.
In fact, while embryonic Stem Cells have not been used in even one human theraphy, Adult Stem Cells have already been used successfully in numerous patients. Jay Lefkowitz, a former adviser to President Bush on Stem Cell policy says, "Adult Stem cells are really where the real progress is being made."
The key difference with Stem Cells is that they can divide, regenerate and actually become different organ cells. Research has conclusively shown Stem Cells can become liver cells, blood cells, pancrea cells, heart cells, and even brain cells. Almost any cell or tissue in the body.
For decades now Adult Stem Cells have been used very successfully in bone marrow transplants to treat certain cases of blood disorders and leukemia. A massive amount of research, which is still in it's early stage but none the less very promising, shows impressive results for heart damage due to heart attacks, liver disease, bone and cartilage diseases and brain disorders.
In a landmark experiment, Professor Saul J. Sharkis of John Hopkins University was able to convert bone-marrow Adult Stem Cells from animal donors into healthy liver cells. He says, "It is mind blowing stuff. I never would have thought this would be possible."
In another landmark experiment carried out by scientist at Yale University in 2001, Adult Stem Cells taken from the bone marrow of male mice were injected into female mice whose own marrow was destroyed by radiation irradation. Eleven months later, the male stem cells (identified through the Y chromosome) were found not only in the females' bone marrow, but also in their blood, guts, lungs and skin tissue.
While there is still much to learn about the magic of Adult Stem Cells, we can rest assure that a breakthrough in health is right around the corner.
About the Author
Mike Martinez is at the forefront educating people on the benefits of Adult Stem Cell enhancement for optimal health. For more information visit http:www.stemcellmagic.com , hearth.com ,
hearth-disesae.com , coronary.com ,
Cardiac.net, heart-attack.net,heart.net
, coronar.net healthdisesae@hotmail,
coronary@yahoo.com, Cardiac@hotmail.com,
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Tuesday, December 19, 2006
Heart Disease by Hock
Beware Of Kids That Have Signs Of Heart Disease! by Ng Peng Hock
Under normal circumstances, we would think that only adults, especially elderly, will have narrowing and hardening of arteries. But, the findings of a study presented at the annual American Heart Association in Chicago last month (Nov 2006) will probably change our views.
A group of researchers in Canada, Finland, Australia, the United States, Norway, Italy, and Netherlands found that children with risk factors for heart disease, including high cholesterol and diabetes, are now showing signs of heart disease, including hardened of blood vessels and arterial wall thickness. The report revealed that in 12 of the 15 studies examined, children with risk factors were more likely to have increased thickness in the arterial walls, which could lead to heart attacks in adulthood. The risk factors include familial hypercholesterolemia where children whose defective genes causes high cholesterol levels in them, diabetes, obesity, and genetic factors.
Some experts and doctors felt that the finding is probably not new as previous postmortem studies of young United States soldiers who died in the Korean War had shown atherosclerotic changes in their arteries. The process must have begun much earlier on in their life. It is evident that deposits of plaque containing cholesterol and lipids takes years to build up and risk factors in childhood hasten the process.
There is indication that the number of young people who died suddenly has been on the rise. While the risk of atherosclerosis or the hardening of arteries can certainly carry over from childhood to adulthood, it is still no concrete evidence to link these sudden deaths of young people with childhood atherosclerosis unless their postmortem findings are made known.
Although there is an increasing number of children suffer from these and other risk factors for cardiovascular disease, testing for future heart conditions is still not standard practice. Currently, there is also no need to routinely screen lipid levels in all children.
If the lipid levels are normal, no specific treatment is needed. Nevertheless, maintaining healthy lifestyle is very important. This includes attention paid to healthy diet, regular exercise, and good weight management.
Selectively those with diabetes and those at risk are screened and statins have been used to treat children with familial hypercholesterolemia. Statins are drugs that lower bad cholesterol levels by limiting the amount of cholesterol the body can make.
America's Most Trusted Doctor Reveals ... How to Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease - Without Drugs or Surgery. Read more about his confession at: http://www.howtopreventheartdiesase.com/heart-disease-prevention-dr-robert-article.html
About the Author
Feel free to use this article on your website or ezine as long as the following information about author/website is included. Heart Disease Prevention - 8 Simple Ways You Can Do Immediately, Go to: http://www.howtoperventheartdisease.com
Health disesae,Health disesae,Health disesae,Health disesae,
Health disesae,Health disesae,Health disesae,Health disesae,
Health disesae,Health disesae,Health disesae,Health disesae,
Under normal circumstances, we would think that only adults, especially elderly, will have narrowing and hardening of arteries. But, the findings of a study presented at the annual American Heart Association in Chicago last month (Nov 2006) will probably change our views.
A group of researchers in Canada, Finland, Australia, the United States, Norway, Italy, and Netherlands found that children with risk factors for heart disease, including high cholesterol and diabetes, are now showing signs of heart disease, including hardened of blood vessels and arterial wall thickness. The report revealed that in 12 of the 15 studies examined, children with risk factors were more likely to have increased thickness in the arterial walls, which could lead to heart attacks in adulthood. The risk factors include familial hypercholesterolemia where children whose defective genes causes high cholesterol levels in them, diabetes, obesity, and genetic factors.
Some experts and doctors felt that the finding is probably not new as previous postmortem studies of young United States soldiers who died in the Korean War had shown atherosclerotic changes in their arteries. The process must have begun much earlier on in their life. It is evident that deposits of plaque containing cholesterol and lipids takes years to build up and risk factors in childhood hasten the process.
There is indication that the number of young people who died suddenly has been on the rise. While the risk of atherosclerosis or the hardening of arteries can certainly carry over from childhood to adulthood, it is still no concrete evidence to link these sudden deaths of young people with childhood atherosclerosis unless their postmortem findings are made known.
Although there is an increasing number of children suffer from these and other risk factors for cardiovascular disease, testing for future heart conditions is still not standard practice. Currently, there is also no need to routinely screen lipid levels in all children.
If the lipid levels are normal, no specific treatment is needed. Nevertheless, maintaining healthy lifestyle is very important. This includes attention paid to healthy diet, regular exercise, and good weight management.
Selectively those with diabetes and those at risk are screened and statins have been used to treat children with familial hypercholesterolemia. Statins are drugs that lower bad cholesterol levels by limiting the amount of cholesterol the body can make.
America's Most Trusted Doctor Reveals ... How to Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease - Without Drugs or Surgery. Read more about his confession at: http://www.howtopreventheartdiesase.com/heart-disease-prevention-dr-robert-article.html
About the Author
Feel free to use this article on your website or ezine as long as the following information about author/website is included. Heart Disease Prevention - 8 Simple Ways You Can Do Immediately, Go to: http://www.howtoperventheartdisease.com
Health disesae,Health disesae,Health disesae,Health disesae,
Health disesae,Health disesae,Health disesae,Health disesae,
Health disesae,Health disesae,Health disesae,Health disesae,
Heart Disease by Dustin
The Hidden Links Between Depression And Heart Disease by Dustin Cannon
While there are tales of people dying of a broken heart, such sayings have long been relegated to the fantasy bin. However, recent research has shown that there are true connections between depression and heart disease.
Depression was once considered to be only a psychological disorder with no physiological underpinnings. However, it is now known that depression often has biochemical origins and can therefore be treated with medication like other types of diseases.
However, the biological origin of some forms of depression means that there could be a fundamental link between the two disorders on a physical level. However, it is also possible that depression may make sufferers less likely to take care of themselves properly which can increase the occurrence of heart disease. Likewise, the discovery that one has heart disease can trigger depression in some who may have had a latent susceptibility to the disorder.
Scientific studies have linked the occurred of coronary heart disease and ischaemic heart diseases, both of which are related to poor blood flow to certain sections of the heart and are one of the biggest killers in the world, have been statistically linked with depressive disorders. It has long been known that there is a stress and heart disease connection and, in this case, it is easy to understand.
Stress releases a number of chemicals, including adrenaline, which cause the body to go into "fight or flight" mode. These chemicals do a number of things, including increasing blood flow to the muscles, increasing the rate of respiration, and increasing heart rate, all of which can possibly damage heart muscle tissue. However, the link with clinical depression is somewhat more vague. It is possible that there is a chemical link between the two diseases; however, many scientists suspect that the relationship is not physical in nature but rather a natural couplet since the prospect of facing heart disease may make some people depressed and some people with depression may not be able to care for themselves as adequately as those who do not suffer from the disease which makes it more likely that they will suffer heart disease from simple neglect. People who suffer from depression are also more likely to abuse tobacco and alcohol and frequently do not exercise regularly.
Those who suffer from both heart disease and depression should make sure that their psychiatrist or psychologist is in close contact with their cardiologist. Since the two disorders are related, the treatment should be coordinated to make sure that the treatment of one of the diseases will not negatively impact the other.
Both heart disease and depression are disorders whose prognosis declines with time. Therefore, it is important that both are detected early in order to have the best possible patient outcomes.
About the Author
Dustin Cannon is owner of JustArticlesVIP.com and writes on a variety of subjects. To learn more about this topic Dustin recommends you visit: Good Medicine RX
Health disesae,Health disesae,Health disesae,Health disesae,
Health disesae,Health disesae,Health disesae,Health disesae,
Health disesae,Health disesae,Health disesae,Health disesae,
While there are tales of people dying of a broken heart, such sayings have long been relegated to the fantasy bin. However, recent research has shown that there are true connections between depression and heart disease.
Depression was once considered to be only a psychological disorder with no physiological underpinnings. However, it is now known that depression often has biochemical origins and can therefore be treated with medication like other types of diseases.
However, the biological origin of some forms of depression means that there could be a fundamental link between the two disorders on a physical level. However, it is also possible that depression may make sufferers less likely to take care of themselves properly which can increase the occurrence of heart disease. Likewise, the discovery that one has heart disease can trigger depression in some who may have had a latent susceptibility to the disorder.
Scientific studies have linked the occurred of coronary heart disease and ischaemic heart diseases, both of which are related to poor blood flow to certain sections of the heart and are one of the biggest killers in the world, have been statistically linked with depressive disorders. It has long been known that there is a stress and heart disease connection and, in this case, it is easy to understand.
Stress releases a number of chemicals, including adrenaline, which cause the body to go into "fight or flight" mode. These chemicals do a number of things, including increasing blood flow to the muscles, increasing the rate of respiration, and increasing heart rate, all of which can possibly damage heart muscle tissue. However, the link with clinical depression is somewhat more vague. It is possible that there is a chemical link between the two diseases; however, many scientists suspect that the relationship is not physical in nature but rather a natural couplet since the prospect of facing heart disease may make some people depressed and some people with depression may not be able to care for themselves as adequately as those who do not suffer from the disease which makes it more likely that they will suffer heart disease from simple neglect. People who suffer from depression are also more likely to abuse tobacco and alcohol and frequently do not exercise regularly.
Those who suffer from both heart disease and depression should make sure that their psychiatrist or psychologist is in close contact with their cardiologist. Since the two disorders are related, the treatment should be coordinated to make sure that the treatment of one of the diseases will not negatively impact the other.
Both heart disease and depression are disorders whose prognosis declines with time. Therefore, it is important that both are detected early in order to have the best possible patient outcomes.
About the Author
Dustin Cannon is owner of JustArticlesVIP.com and writes on a variety of subjects. To learn more about this topic Dustin recommends you visit: Good Medicine RX
Health disesae,Health disesae,Health disesae,Health disesae,
Health disesae,Health disesae,Health disesae,Health disesae,
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Heart Healthy Diet
Heart Healthy Diet by Nitin Chhoda
Chances are that someone you know has been a victim of heart disease or high blood pressure, and the frightening part is that it is one of the top 3 causes of death in the country. In fact, my father died due to a sudden, massive heart attack. Diet plays a major role in the development (and treatment) of heart problems. There are several things we can do to improve heart health.
For example, did you know that eating more garlic (in raw or cooked forms) is associated with a lower incidence of heart disease, owing to its anti-oxidant properties? Onions also have a similar effect. Munching on small amounts ( 1 to 2 oz. ) of nuts such as peanuts, almonds, and walnuts is extremely beneficial for the heart. These are rich in fiber and mono-unsaturated fats (the good type).
The health of your heart is a gift that's yours for the taking. It's time for a change of heart. Let's take a look at the do's and don'ts for a healthy heart.
Some diets are bad for your heart. A high sugar, low fiber diet. (pizzas, breads, rice, pasta) A high sodium to potassium ratio. (salted foods, low intake of fresh fruits and vegetables) A diet low in calcium and magnesium. (low intake of dairy products) A diet high in saturated fats and low in essential fats. (high intake of fast foods and red meats, low intake of fish and nuts) Each of these can be corrected in part, by a simple nutrition plan, which is outlined below.
Choosing the right kind of carbohydrates is important. Ask yourself if you find it difficult to get by without the following foods - Cakes, candies, chocolates, cookies, etc. If you do, then it is time to cut down slowly. Eat more whole-wheat cereals, bran, oats, oranges, tomatoes, sprouts, mushrooms, cabbage, cauliflower, and lettuce. Make a fresh bowl of soup each day with these vegetables. Eat lean meats, chicken and fish regularly. Soda is a big culprit in obesity and heart disease. Just try and substitute it with plain old water!
The importance of minerals cannot be overlooked. A lack of calcium, magnesium, and potassium can increase blood pressure. Decrease the intake of sodium, and substitute regular salt with sea salt, which contains an abundance of minerals. Magnesium is strongly correlated with heart health. Non-fat milk, fish and yogurt are great ways to get extra calcium, without the saturated fat. If you take calcium supplements, ask your doctor if you can take a magnesium supplement as well.
Fat plays an important role in heart health, more specifically the type of fat. While we all know the long-term benefits of low fat eating, few realize the immediate repercussions of high fat foods. For example, eating a single high fat meal on Sunday night can increase your risk of having a heart attack on Monday morning!!
In a nutshell, the following foods / factors can prevent heart disease: seafood (omega 3' fats) and olive oil. Nuts like walnuts, almonds (omega 3's and magnesium). Fruits, vegetables. (Anti-oxidants). Grains, legumes. Garlic and onions.
As always, try and minimize stress and avoid smoking. Check your blood pressure and cholesterol levels regularly. Don't forget your annual physical!
About the AuthorFor more information and to register for free and get full-color exercise routines, diet plans and grocery lists, visit http://www.best-weight-loss-program.net/ , for exercises for women, visit http://ww.toningforwomen.com/ and to train with Nitin, visit http://www.phonefitnestrainer.com/
Health disesae,Health disesae,Health disesae,Health disesae,
Health disesae,Health disesae,Health disesae,Health disesae
,Health disesae,Health disesae,Health disesae,Health disesae,
Chances are that someone you know has been a victim of heart disease or high blood pressure, and the frightening part is that it is one of the top 3 causes of death in the country. In fact, my father died due to a sudden, massive heart attack. Diet plays a major role in the development (and treatment) of heart problems. There are several things we can do to improve heart health.
For example, did you know that eating more garlic (in raw or cooked forms) is associated with a lower incidence of heart disease, owing to its anti-oxidant properties? Onions also have a similar effect. Munching on small amounts ( 1 to 2 oz. ) of nuts such as peanuts, almonds, and walnuts is extremely beneficial for the heart. These are rich in fiber and mono-unsaturated fats (the good type).
The health of your heart is a gift that's yours for the taking. It's time for a change of heart. Let's take a look at the do's and don'ts for a healthy heart.
Some diets are bad for your heart. A high sugar, low fiber diet. (pizzas, breads, rice, pasta) A high sodium to potassium ratio. (salted foods, low intake of fresh fruits and vegetables) A diet low in calcium and magnesium. (low intake of dairy products) A diet high in saturated fats and low in essential fats. (high intake of fast foods and red meats, low intake of fish and nuts) Each of these can be corrected in part, by a simple nutrition plan, which is outlined below.
Choosing the right kind of carbohydrates is important. Ask yourself if you find it difficult to get by without the following foods - Cakes, candies, chocolates, cookies, etc. If you do, then it is time to cut down slowly. Eat more whole-wheat cereals, bran, oats, oranges, tomatoes, sprouts, mushrooms, cabbage, cauliflower, and lettuce. Make a fresh bowl of soup each day with these vegetables. Eat lean meats, chicken and fish regularly. Soda is a big culprit in obesity and heart disease. Just try and substitute it with plain old water!
The importance of minerals cannot be overlooked. A lack of calcium, magnesium, and potassium can increase blood pressure. Decrease the intake of sodium, and substitute regular salt with sea salt, which contains an abundance of minerals. Magnesium is strongly correlated with heart health. Non-fat milk, fish and yogurt are great ways to get extra calcium, without the saturated fat. If you take calcium supplements, ask your doctor if you can take a magnesium supplement as well.
Fat plays an important role in heart health, more specifically the type of fat. While we all know the long-term benefits of low fat eating, few realize the immediate repercussions of high fat foods. For example, eating a single high fat meal on Sunday night can increase your risk of having a heart attack on Monday morning!!
In a nutshell, the following foods / factors can prevent heart disease: seafood (omega 3' fats) and olive oil. Nuts like walnuts, almonds (omega 3's and magnesium). Fruits, vegetables. (Anti-oxidants). Grains, legumes. Garlic and onions.
As always, try and minimize stress and avoid smoking. Check your blood pressure and cholesterol levels regularly. Don't forget your annual physical!
About the AuthorFor more information and to register for free and get full-color exercise routines, diet plans and grocery lists, visit http://www.best-weight-loss-program.net/ , for exercises for women, visit http://ww.toningforwomen.com/ and to train with Nitin, visit http://www.phonefitnestrainer.com/
Health disesae,Health disesae,Health disesae,Health disesae,
Health disesae,Health disesae,Health disesae,Health disesae
,Health disesae,Health disesae,Health disesae,Health disesae,
Ideas:Diseases of the Heart
Philosophy & Ideas: Diseases of the Heart by David Hulme
The tragedy of human heart disease has motivated many medical researchers. For many years, it has provoked philosophy and ideas as well as opportunities for the advancement of medicine. As early as 1905 the heart of a dog was transplanted into another dog at the University of Chicago. But it wasn't until 1967 that the celebrated South African surgeon Christiaan Barnard performed the transplant of a human heart. Mechanical hearts of various kinds have also met with some success. Notable was Barney Clark, who in 1982 became the first recipient of the Jarvik-7, a permanent-replacement artificial heart. He lived for 112 days attached to a cumbersome console. Another patient, William Schroeder, lived for 620 days after the implanting of a Jarvik-7.
The artificial heart is generally used to bridge patients over the waiting period until a suitable human heart becomes available for transplant. In 1985 Thomas Gaidosh received a Jarvik-7 and four days later a human heart. He lived 11 more years.
There have been many amazing developments in the field. Last summer in Louisville, Kentucky, surgeons implanted a revolutionary self-contained artificial heart into the chest of a terminally ill diabetic man. Though his condition had been grave, the device allowed him relief from other organ malfunctions by canceling the effect of his diseased heart.
These attempts at resolving physical disease demonstrate significant progress. But the heart is more than a muscular pump that is sometimes diseased. We also speak of it as the seat of emotional well-being. That may not be too far from the truth. Some years ago I interviewed a medical doctor, Redford Williams, who had written a book titled The Trusting Heart. His purpose was to show the toxic effect on the body of our own hostile spirit and, conversely, the physical benefits of a positive frame of mind. From his studies of the endocrine system and the effects of stress and emotion, he had discovered something that the ancients knew: Our emotions can keep us well or make us sick. Take these words of advice from the wisdom literature of Solomon: "A sound heart is life to the body, but envy is rottenness to the bones" (Proverbs 14:30). Further he wrote, "A merry heart does good, like medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones" (Proverbs 17:22).
Other wisdom attributed to religion and the Bible, particularly Scriptures, makes clear that the human heart is the center of another kind of sickness. It is diseased in a far more profound way. Jesus said: "What comes out of a man, that defiles a man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness" (Mark 7:20-22). This is the natural way of humans, though we don't like to admit it. Pushed to the limit, under certain circumstances we are all capable of such things.
Just as there is help for diseased heart muscle, there is help for these other diseases of the "heart." The Spirit of God will gradually cure the works of the flesh that Jesus defined. Interfacing with the human spirit, God's Spirit is available to heal us.
Take, for example, some of the works of the flesh mentioned by the apostle Paul in his letter to the Galatian church, and set them against the curative fruit of the Spirit. Murder, anger and hatred are overcome by love or benevolence; variance, strife and fierce indignation are defeated by peace and a tranquil mind; the sexual sins fall to the power of self-control and one's moral values. Paul adds that there are more works of the flesh than he has named, but the lesson is clear: There is help for whichever disease of the heart we have.
About the AuthorAuthor, David Hulme, Publisher for Vision Media Productions and author of "Identity, Ideology And The Future Of Jerusalem," contributes articles on culture, current events and ideology for Vision Media. More information about these and other current events and ideology topics can be found at http://www.vision.org
Health disesae,Health disesae,Health disesae,Health disesae,
Health,disesae,Healthdisesae,Healthdisesae,Healthdisesae,
Healthdisesae,Health disesae,Health disesae,Health disesae,
Health disesae,Health disesae,Health disesae,Health disesae,
The tragedy of human heart disease has motivated many medical researchers. For many years, it has provoked philosophy and ideas as well as opportunities for the advancement of medicine. As early as 1905 the heart of a dog was transplanted into another dog at the University of Chicago. But it wasn't until 1967 that the celebrated South African surgeon Christiaan Barnard performed the transplant of a human heart. Mechanical hearts of various kinds have also met with some success. Notable was Barney Clark, who in 1982 became the first recipient of the Jarvik-7, a permanent-replacement artificial heart. He lived for 112 days attached to a cumbersome console. Another patient, William Schroeder, lived for 620 days after the implanting of a Jarvik-7.
The artificial heart is generally used to bridge patients over the waiting period until a suitable human heart becomes available for transplant. In 1985 Thomas Gaidosh received a Jarvik-7 and four days later a human heart. He lived 11 more years.
There have been many amazing developments in the field. Last summer in Louisville, Kentucky, surgeons implanted a revolutionary self-contained artificial heart into the chest of a terminally ill diabetic man. Though his condition had been grave, the device allowed him relief from other organ malfunctions by canceling the effect of his diseased heart.
These attempts at resolving physical disease demonstrate significant progress. But the heart is more than a muscular pump that is sometimes diseased. We also speak of it as the seat of emotional well-being. That may not be too far from the truth. Some years ago I interviewed a medical doctor, Redford Williams, who had written a book titled The Trusting Heart. His purpose was to show the toxic effect on the body of our own hostile spirit and, conversely, the physical benefits of a positive frame of mind. From his studies of the endocrine system and the effects of stress and emotion, he had discovered something that the ancients knew: Our emotions can keep us well or make us sick. Take these words of advice from the wisdom literature of Solomon: "A sound heart is life to the body, but envy is rottenness to the bones" (Proverbs 14:30). Further he wrote, "A merry heart does good, like medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones" (Proverbs 17:22).
Other wisdom attributed to religion and the Bible, particularly Scriptures, makes clear that the human heart is the center of another kind of sickness. It is diseased in a far more profound way. Jesus said: "What comes out of a man, that defiles a man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness" (Mark 7:20-22). This is the natural way of humans, though we don't like to admit it. Pushed to the limit, under certain circumstances we are all capable of such things.
Just as there is help for diseased heart muscle, there is help for these other diseases of the "heart." The Spirit of God will gradually cure the works of the flesh that Jesus defined. Interfacing with the human spirit, God's Spirit is available to heal us.
Take, for example, some of the works of the flesh mentioned by the apostle Paul in his letter to the Galatian church, and set them against the curative fruit of the Spirit. Murder, anger and hatred are overcome by love or benevolence; variance, strife and fierce indignation are defeated by peace and a tranquil mind; the sexual sins fall to the power of self-control and one's moral values. Paul adds that there are more works of the flesh than he has named, but the lesson is clear: There is help for whichever disease of the heart we have.
About the AuthorAuthor, David Hulme, Publisher for Vision Media Productions and author of "Identity, Ideology And The Future Of Jerusalem," contributes articles on culture, current events and ideology for Vision Media. More information about these and other current events and ideology topics can be found at http://www.vision.org
Health disesae,Health disesae,Health disesae,Health disesae,
Health,disesae,Healthdisesae,Healthdisesae,Healthdisesae,
Healthdisesae,Health disesae,Health disesae,Health disesae,
Health disesae,Health disesae,Health disesae,Health disesae,
Basic Steps to Good Health(health disesae)
Basic Steps to Good Health ...(health disesae)by Chris Chenoweth
EAT WELL - Eat a well-balanced diet that includes plenty of fruits and vegetables, as well as foods that are high in complex carbohydrates, moderate amounts of protein, and low in fat. Make sure you eat regular meals. Skipping meals or eliminating certain foods can lead to out-of-control hunger, resulting in overeating. Eat in moderation. Most people eat for pleasure as well as nutrition. If your favorite foods are high in fat, salt or sugar, the key is moderation.
DRINK WATER - Drink lots of water. Most people do NOT drink enough water. Dehydration is very subtle. By the time you feel thirsty, you are already dehydrated. Most of us are dehydrated because we do not drink enough water for our body to operate at optimal capacity. Insufficient water consumption (dehydration) makes you tired, gives you headaches, and weakens your immune system. Water is the most important nutrient that our body needs in order to function properly. When the body becomes dehydrated, the organs can become damaged, resulting in various types of degenerative diseases. Every major system in our body depends on water.
EXERCISE REGULARLY - Anyone can benefit from starting a basic aerobic exercise program. If you get little exercise, even walking 10 minutes a day can help your body immensely. Exercise controls blood sugar, helps you lose weight, and helps your body detoxify. Walking is the most easily accessible and beneficial exercise and anyone can do it.
REDUCE STRESS - Avoid excessive amounts of caffeine that can increase your anxiety level and avoid alcohol that can mask symptoms and make them worse. Try deep breathing exercises, massage, guided imagery, and meditation. Learn it is okay to say NO occasionally. Make time for yourself, your number one priority.
GET ENOUGH REST - Most Americans do not get enough sleep. Getting enough sleep is vitally important for physical and emotional health. If you have difficulty sleeping, NEVER read, eat or watch television in bed.
DO NOT SMOKE - The nicotine and other poisonous chemicals in tobacco greatly increase the likelihood of developing certain cancers and heart disease. Every time you light up, you hurt your lungs and heart. The longer you smoke, the worse the damage becomes.
AVOID TOO MUCH SUN EXPOSURE - Skin damage from overexposure to the sun is cumulative over the years and is irreversible. Too much time in the sun can cause sunburn, especially for fair-skinned people, and other potential problems. These problems range from fatal skin cancers to allergic reactions.
FASTEN YOUR SEAT BELT - If worn properly, seat belts absorb the force of a crash impact and hold you securely in place, greatly reducing your risk of injury.
SEE YOUR DOCTOR REGULARLY FOR PREVENTIVE CARE - Doctors do not only treat patients when they are ill. With regular checkups and preventive services, you can help prevent serious health conditions such as heart disease, cancer, high blood pressure, diabetes, etc.
Using the above guidelines will start you on your way to a healthier life. You will feel good about yourself, have more energy, look better, and provide a good role model for your family.
If you would like additional information on healthy ways to lose weight, learn how to burn fat with one of the most effective and healthy fat-burning systems available, the BURN THE FAT program.
About the Author
Chris Chenoweth, author of the DO-IT-YOURSELF HOME, HEALTH & MONEY GUIDE, writes articles pertaining to diet, exercise, health, and business .
*************************************
Health disesae,Health disesae,Health disesae,
Health disesae ,Health disesae,Health disesae,
EAT WELL - Eat a well-balanced diet that includes plenty of fruits and vegetables, as well as foods that are high in complex carbohydrates, moderate amounts of protein, and low in fat. Make sure you eat regular meals. Skipping meals or eliminating certain foods can lead to out-of-control hunger, resulting in overeating. Eat in moderation. Most people eat for pleasure as well as nutrition. If your favorite foods are high in fat, salt or sugar, the key is moderation.
DRINK WATER - Drink lots of water. Most people do NOT drink enough water. Dehydration is very subtle. By the time you feel thirsty, you are already dehydrated. Most of us are dehydrated because we do not drink enough water for our body to operate at optimal capacity. Insufficient water consumption (dehydration) makes you tired, gives you headaches, and weakens your immune system. Water is the most important nutrient that our body needs in order to function properly. When the body becomes dehydrated, the organs can become damaged, resulting in various types of degenerative diseases. Every major system in our body depends on water.
EXERCISE REGULARLY - Anyone can benefit from starting a basic aerobic exercise program. If you get little exercise, even walking 10 minutes a day can help your body immensely. Exercise controls blood sugar, helps you lose weight, and helps your body detoxify. Walking is the most easily accessible and beneficial exercise and anyone can do it.
REDUCE STRESS - Avoid excessive amounts of caffeine that can increase your anxiety level and avoid alcohol that can mask symptoms and make them worse. Try deep breathing exercises, massage, guided imagery, and meditation. Learn it is okay to say NO occasionally. Make time for yourself, your number one priority.
GET ENOUGH REST - Most Americans do not get enough sleep. Getting enough sleep is vitally important for physical and emotional health. If you have difficulty sleeping, NEVER read, eat or watch television in bed.
DO NOT SMOKE - The nicotine and other poisonous chemicals in tobacco greatly increase the likelihood of developing certain cancers and heart disease. Every time you light up, you hurt your lungs and heart. The longer you smoke, the worse the damage becomes.
AVOID TOO MUCH SUN EXPOSURE - Skin damage from overexposure to the sun is cumulative over the years and is irreversible. Too much time in the sun can cause sunburn, especially for fair-skinned people, and other potential problems. These problems range from fatal skin cancers to allergic reactions.
FASTEN YOUR SEAT BELT - If worn properly, seat belts absorb the force of a crash impact and hold you securely in place, greatly reducing your risk of injury.
SEE YOUR DOCTOR REGULARLY FOR PREVENTIVE CARE - Doctors do not only treat patients when they are ill. With regular checkups and preventive services, you can help prevent serious health conditions such as heart disease, cancer, high blood pressure, diabetes, etc.
Using the above guidelines will start you on your way to a healthier life. You will feel good about yourself, have more energy, look better, and provide a good role model for your family.
If you would like additional information on healthy ways to lose weight, learn how to burn fat with one of the most effective and healthy fat-burning systems available, the BURN THE FAT program.
About the Author
Chris Chenoweth, author of the DO-IT-YOURSELF HOME, HEALTH & MONEY GUIDE, writes articles pertaining to diet, exercise, health, and business .
*************************************
Health disesae,Health disesae,Health disesae,
Health disesae ,Health disesae,Health disesae,
Coronary circulation
The coronary circulation consists of the blood vessels that supply blood to, and remove blood from, the heart muscle itself. Although blood fills the chambers of the heart, the muscle tissue of the heart, or myocardium, is so thick that it requires coronary blood vessels to deliver blood deep into the myocardium. The vessels that supply blood high in oxygen to the myocardium are known as coronary arteries. The vessels that remove the deoxygenated blood from the heart muscle are known as cardiac veins.
The coronary arteries that run on the surface of the heart are called epicardial coronary arteries. These arteries, when healthy, are capable of autoregulation to maintain coronary blood flow at levels appropriate to the needs of the heart muscle. These relatively narrow vessels are commonly affected by atherosclerosis and can become blocked, causing angina or a heart attack. (See also: circulatory system.)
The coronary arteries are classified as "end circulation", since they represent the only source of blood supply to the myocardium: there is very little redundant blood supply, which is why blockage of these vessels can be so critical.
Contents
1 Coronary anatomy
1.1 Variations
1.2 Coronary artery dominance
2 Blood supply of the papillary muscles
3 Coronary flow
Coronary anatomy
The exact anatomy of the myocardial blood supply varies considerably from person to person. A full evaluation of the coronary arteries requires cardiac catheterization or CT coronary angiography.
In general there are two main coronary arteries, the left and right.
Right coronary artery
Left coronary artery
Both of these arteries originate from the beginning (root) of the aorta, immediately above the aortic valve. As discussed below, the left coronary artery originates from the left aortic sinus, while the right coronary artery originates from the right aortic sinus
Variations
Four percent of people have a third, the posterior coronary artery. In rare cases, a patient will have one coronary artery that runs around the root of the aorta.
Occasionally, a coronary artery will exist as a double structure (ie there are two arteries, parallel to each other, where ordinarily there is one). Dana Carvey has this variation, which led to a mishap during his CABG operation.
Coronary artery dominance
The artery that supplies the posterior descending artery (PDA) and the posterolateral artery (PLA) determines the coronary dominance.
If the right coronary artery (RCA) supplies both these arteries, the circulation can be classified as "right-dominant".
If the left circumflex artery (LCX) supplies both these arteries, the circulation can be classified as "left-dominant".
If the RCA supplies the PDA and the LCX supplies the PLA, the circulation is known as "co-dominant".
Approximately 70% of the general population are right-dominant, 20% are co-dominant, and 10% are left-dominant. [1]
Blood supply of the papillary muscles
The papillary muscles tether the mitral valve (the valve between the left atrium and the left ventricle) and the tricuspid valve (the valve between the right atrium and the right ventricle) to the wall of the heart. If the papillary muscles are not functioning properly, the mitral valve leaks during contraction of the left ventricule. This causes some of the blood to travel "in reverse", from the left ventricle to the left atrium, instead of forward to the aorta and the rest of the body. This leaking of blood to the left atrium is known as mitral regurgitation.
The anterolateral papillary muscle receives two blood supplies: the LAD and LCX, and is therefore somewhat resistant to coronary ischemia. On the other hand, the posteromedial papillary muscle is supplied only by the PDA. This makes the posteromedial papillary muscle significantly more susceptible to ischemia. The clinical significance of this is that a myocardial infarction involving the PDA is more likely to cause mitral regurgitation.
Coronary flow
During contraction of the ventricular myocardium (systole), the subendocardial coronary vessels (the vessels that enter the myocardium) are compressed due to the high intraventricular pressures. However the epicardial coronary vessels (the vessels that run along the outer surface of the heart) remain patent. Because of this, blood flow in the subendocardium stops. As a result most myocardial perfusion occurs during heart relaxation (diastole) when the subendocardial coronary vessels are patent and under low pressure. This contributes to the filling difficulties of the coronary arteries.
The primary determinant of coronary blood flow is the level of myocardial/cardiac oxygen consumption. As the heart beats more vigorously, ATP is consumed at a greater rate due to the increased force and/or frequency of contraction and the depolarization and repolarization of the cardiac membrane potential. The increase in oxygen consumption results in the release of a vasodilator substance, the identity of which remains unknown. The vasodilator reduces vascular resistance and allows more blood to flow through the heart during each diastole. Systolic compression remains the same. Failure of oxygen delivery via increases in blood flow to meet the increased oxygen demand of the heart results in tissue ischemia, a condition of oxygen debt. Brief ischemia is associated with intense chest pain, known as angina. Severe ischemia can cause the heart muscle to die of oxygen starvation, called a myocardial infarction. Chronic moderate ischemia causes contraction of the heart to weaken, known as myocardial hibernation.
In addition to metabolism, the coronary circulation possesses unique pharmacologic characteristics. Prominent among these is its reactivity to adrenergic stimulation. The majority of circulation in the body constrict to norepinephrine, a sympathetic neurotransmitter the body uses to increases blood pressure. In the coronary circulation, norepinephrine elicits vasodilation, due to the predominance of beta-adrenergic receptors in the coronary circulation. Agonists of alpha-receptors, such as phenylephrine, elicit very little constriction in the coronary circulation.
The coronary arteries that run on the surface of the heart are called epicardial coronary arteries. These arteries, when healthy, are capable of autoregulation to maintain coronary blood flow at levels appropriate to the needs of the heart muscle. These relatively narrow vessels are commonly affected by atherosclerosis and can become blocked, causing angina or a heart attack. (See also: circulatory system.)
The coronary arteries are classified as "end circulation", since they represent the only source of blood supply to the myocardium: there is very little redundant blood supply, which is why blockage of these vessels can be so critical.
Contents
1 Coronary anatomy
1.1 Variations
1.2 Coronary artery dominance
2 Blood supply of the papillary muscles
3 Coronary flow
Coronary anatomy
The exact anatomy of the myocardial blood supply varies considerably from person to person. A full evaluation of the coronary arteries requires cardiac catheterization or CT coronary angiography.
In general there are two main coronary arteries, the left and right.
Right coronary artery
Left coronary artery
Both of these arteries originate from the beginning (root) of the aorta, immediately above the aortic valve. As discussed below, the left coronary artery originates from the left aortic sinus, while the right coronary artery originates from the right aortic sinus
Variations
Four percent of people have a third, the posterior coronary artery. In rare cases, a patient will have one coronary artery that runs around the root of the aorta.
Occasionally, a coronary artery will exist as a double structure (ie there are two arteries, parallel to each other, where ordinarily there is one). Dana Carvey has this variation, which led to a mishap during his CABG operation.
Coronary artery dominance
The artery that supplies the posterior descending artery (PDA) and the posterolateral artery (PLA) determines the coronary dominance.
If the right coronary artery (RCA) supplies both these arteries, the circulation can be classified as "right-dominant".
If the left circumflex artery (LCX) supplies both these arteries, the circulation can be classified as "left-dominant".
If the RCA supplies the PDA and the LCX supplies the PLA, the circulation is known as "co-dominant".
Approximately 70% of the general population are right-dominant, 20% are co-dominant, and 10% are left-dominant. [1]
Blood supply of the papillary muscles
The papillary muscles tether the mitral valve (the valve between the left atrium and the left ventricle) and the tricuspid valve (the valve between the right atrium and the right ventricle) to the wall of the heart. If the papillary muscles are not functioning properly, the mitral valve leaks during contraction of the left ventricule. This causes some of the blood to travel "in reverse", from the left ventricle to the left atrium, instead of forward to the aorta and the rest of the body. This leaking of blood to the left atrium is known as mitral regurgitation.
The anterolateral papillary muscle receives two blood supplies: the LAD and LCX, and is therefore somewhat resistant to coronary ischemia. On the other hand, the posteromedial papillary muscle is supplied only by the PDA. This makes the posteromedial papillary muscle significantly more susceptible to ischemia. The clinical significance of this is that a myocardial infarction involving the PDA is more likely to cause mitral regurgitation.
Coronary flow
During contraction of the ventricular myocardium (systole), the subendocardial coronary vessels (the vessels that enter the myocardium) are compressed due to the high intraventricular pressures. However the epicardial coronary vessels (the vessels that run along the outer surface of the heart) remain patent. Because of this, blood flow in the subendocardium stops. As a result most myocardial perfusion occurs during heart relaxation (diastole) when the subendocardial coronary vessels are patent and under low pressure. This contributes to the filling difficulties of the coronary arteries.
The primary determinant of coronary blood flow is the level of myocardial/cardiac oxygen consumption. As the heart beats more vigorously, ATP is consumed at a greater rate due to the increased force and/or frequency of contraction and the depolarization and repolarization of the cardiac membrane potential. The increase in oxygen consumption results in the release of a vasodilator substance, the identity of which remains unknown. The vasodilator reduces vascular resistance and allows more blood to flow through the heart during each diastole. Systolic compression remains the same. Failure of oxygen delivery via increases in blood flow to meet the increased oxygen demand of the heart results in tissue ischemia, a condition of oxygen debt. Brief ischemia is associated with intense chest pain, known as angina. Severe ischemia can cause the heart muscle to die of oxygen starvation, called a myocardial infarction. Chronic moderate ischemia causes contraction of the heart to weaken, known as myocardial hibernation.
In addition to metabolism, the coronary circulation possesses unique pharmacologic characteristics. Prominent among these is its reactivity to adrenergic stimulation. The majority of circulation in the body constrict to norepinephrine, a sympathetic neurotransmitter the body uses to increases blood pressure. In the coronary circulation, norepinephrine elicits vasodilation, due to the predominance of beta-adrenergic receptors in the coronary circulation. Agonists of alpha-receptors, such as phenylephrine, elicit very little constriction in the coronary circulation.
Diet and heart disease
Diet and heart disease
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from Diet and Heart Disease)
Jump to: navigation, search
Diet may play an important role in causing or preventing heart disease. Doctors and nutritionists have studied numerous diets and dietary components in an effort to minimise the risk of heart diseases.
Contents
1 Misconceptions
1.1 Saturated fats & Cholesterol
2 Dietary factors that may increase risk
2.1 Trans fats
2.2 Salt
2.3 Homogenised milk
3 Preventive diets
3.1 Vegetarian diet
3.2 Cretan Mediterranean-style diet
3.3 Alcohol
4 Summary
5 See also
6 References
7 External links
7.1 Government advice
7.2 Science sites
7.3 Other sites
Misconceptions
Saturated fats & Cholesterol
One of the earliest suggestions that saturated fats and cholesterol could be related to heart disease was proposed by Ancel Keys in the late 1950s. While this and other similar studies were eagerly received by commercial beneficiaries such as the processed oil and food industries, other scientific studies have cast doubts on whether saturated fats should be demonised.
An analysis of American statistics covering the sixty year period from 1910 to 1970 found that the proportion of traditional animal fats in the American diet declined from 83% to 62%, and the annual consumption of butter in particular declined from 18 pounds to 4 pounds per person. The study also found that over the past eighty years, the percentage of vegetable oil consumption in the form of margarine, vegetable shortening and other refined oils has increased by around 400%, with the consumption of sugar and processed foods by 60%.[1] This suggests that hydrogenated oils (which contain trans fat, not saturated fat) and sugar should be suspected to be more at fault than saturated fats.
A famous project called the Framingham Heart Study, started in 1948, found after 40 years of testing that while those who weighed more and had abnormally high blood cholesterol levels were slightly more at risk of developing heart disease, weight gain and cholesterol levels had an inverse correlation with saturated fat and cholesterol intake in the diet.[2] It was also found that the subjects with the highest saturated fat consumption weighed the least, but also happened to be the most physically active of the population under study. A director of the Framingham Heart Study, Dr William Castelli, wrote in 1992[1]
For example, in Framingham, Massachusetts, the more saturated fat one ate, the more cholesterol one ate, the more calories one ate, the lower the person's serum cholesterol... In view of this, this study fails to describe a relationship of those traditional dietary constituents, saturated fat and cholesterol, known to have an adverse effect on blood lipids, and thereby, on the subsequent development of coronary disease end points.[3]
One large trial, the Multiple Risk Factor Intervention Trial (MRFIT) produced surprising results. It compared the death rates and eating habits of 12,000 men, and treated certain individuals by controlling high blood pressure with medicines, preventing smoking, and stipulating a low fat, low cholesterol diet. The MRFIT trial found that while those on the low fat diet had a slightly decreased mortality from Coronary heart disease, the overall mortality from all causes for those who were treated and obeyed the suggested diet was higher.[4]
Another study from the 1960s which examined the health of Yemenite Jews found that the diet of the subjects living in Yemen contained no sugar and obtained all its fat from animal sources. The subjects who had moved from Yemen to Israel altered their diets so that 25-30 percent of their carbohydrate intake was derived from sugar, and they obtained their fat from the consumption of margarine and vegetable oils. The Yemenite group was found to have few examples of heart disease and diabetes, whereas incidences of these disorders were far higher in the Israeli group.[5]
Saturated fats have gained an unjust notoriety by being confused with trans fats, both in early studies from the mid 20th century, and also as they were long grouped together in various U.S. databases used by researchers to correlate dietary trends with disease conditions.[6][7][8]
Dietary factors that may increase risk
Trans fats
Main article: Trans fat
While both saturated and trans fats increase levels of LDL cholesterol (so-called "bad" cholesterol), trans fats also lower the levels of HDL cholesterol (so-called "good" cholesterol) [2]; this increases the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). The NAS is concerned "that dietary trans fatty acids are more deleterious with respect to CHD than saturated fatty acids" [3].
The Harvard Medical School has shown that most oils reduce blood cholesterol. However, more importantly they showed that hydrogenated, or trans fats, which are present in margarine and are extensively used for packaged food manufacturing, may be harmful. One of their studies published in 2005 has determined that a positive relationship exists between the consumption of trans fat and the development of endothelial dysfunction, a precursor to atherosclerosis.[9]
Trans fats are harmful because they are absorbed by the body's cell membranes as if they were cis fats, causing the cells to become partially hydrogenated, which disrupts cell metabolism.[4]
Other studies have found that hydrogenated fats made from vegetable oils block the use of essential fatty acids, which could contribute to sexual dysfunction, increased blood cholesterol and negatively affect the immune system.[10][11][12][13][14]
Salt
Main article: Edible salt
The UK Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) review Salt and Health is probably the most authoritative single document on its stated topic. It concludes:
Hypertension (high blood pressure). "Since 1994, the evidence of an association between dietary salt intakes and blood pressure has increased. The data have been consistent in various study populations and across the age range in adults." (SACN, p3).
Left Ventricular Hypertrophy (LVH). "Evidence suggests that high salt intake causes left ventricular hypertrophy, a strong risk factor for cardiovascular disease, independently of blood pressure effects." (SACN, p3)
Homogenised milk
Main Articles: Unpasteurised milk: Homogenisation & heart disease; also Milk: Creaming & homogenisation
In recent years, there has been increased attention placed on potential health concerns relating to the homogenisation of milk and other dairy products. Studies conducted by Dr Kurt A Oster and his colleague D.J. Ross from the early 1960s to the mid 1980s suggested that homogenised milk could be a major factor in arterial plaque formation, causing heart disease.
Oster and Ross hypothesised that the homogenisation of milk increased the dietary availability of xanthine oxidase, which could lead to the formation of arterial, or atheromatous, plaque. However a team lead by A.J. Clifford in the early 1980s asserted that Oster and Ross had not sufficiently established their arguments.[15]
While the xanthine oxidase/plasmalogen hypothesis has been disproved, the debate is hardly over. Lipids expert Mary Enig has remarked that while Oster's work has been discounted, it does not prove that the homogenisation process is benign, as it vastly increases the surface area of fat globules, and causes new globule mebranes to be formed which have a different composition to raw milk fat globules.[5] Examination of the xanthine oxidase issue has continued, with recent research by R.J. Hajjar and J.A. Leopold, "Xanthine oxidase inhibition and heart failure: novel therapeutic strategy for ventricular dysfunction", published in Circulation Research (2006) (journal of the American Heart Association).
Preventive diets
Vegetarian diet
Vegetarians have been shown to have a 24% reduced risk of dying of heart disease.[16]
One of the earliest and well-known popularizers of a diet approach to heart disease was the Pritikin diet. The Pritikin Plan was created by a non-physician, Nathan Pritikin, and consisted of diet and exercise changes in a residential program.
The Ornish Diet is widely believed to have proven that a low fat, low cholesterol diet prevents heart disease.[citation needed] The AHA-1 Diet is recommended by the American Heart Association. Some food manufacturers produce cholesterol-reducing products which they suggest may help to reduce the risk of heart disease. [citation needed]
In addition to Ornish, Dr. Gabe Mirkin and Dr. John McDougall have been proponents of a diet approach to avoiding heart disease. McDougall sells "just add water" vegetarian meals in a cup on his rightfoods site.
The most powerful cholesterol-lowering agents are soluble fiber, unsaturated fats, and phytochemicals, all of which are found almost exclusively in plant foods. In the seventeen studies conducted between 1978 and 2002, the average vegan’s cholesterol level was 160 mg/dl, while the average non-vegetarian’s cholesterol was 202 mg/dl.[17]
Despite the benefits of a vegetarian diet, it is likely that with a few changes to the typical vegetarian diet, the risks of heart disease could be reduced even further. Vegetarian diets are sometimes low in Vitamin B12, which can lead to increased homocysteine levels--a risk factor for heart diease. Since vegetarians do not eat fish, some vegetarians don't have high intakes of Omega-3 fatty acids. There is strong evidence that higher intakes of Omega-3 fatty acids reduce the risk of heart disease. Both of these shortcomings can easily be overcome by taking a vitamin B12 supplement, along with spirulina or fermented soy products and increasing intake of omega-3 fatty acids via ground flax seeds or flax seed oil, soy products, and walnuts. There is some evidence that flax may be even more beneficial than fish oil in its effectiveness in reducing C-reactive protein, an indicator of heart disease.[citation needed] It should also be noted that while canola oil contains Omega-3 fatty acids, it has a high sulphur content and goes rancid easily. If canola oil is deodorised, these Omega-3 fatty acids are transformed into trans fatty acids, which are harmful.[6]
Cretan Mediterranean-style diet
The Seven Country Study[18] found that Cretan men had exceptionally low death rates from heart disease, despite moderate to high intake of fat. The Cretan diet is similar to other traditional Mediterranean diets: consisting mostly of olive oil, bread, abundant fruit and vegetables, a moderate amount of wine, and fat-rich animal products such as lamb, sausage and goat cheese.[19][20][21] However, the Cretan diet consisted of less fish and wine consumption than some other Mediterranean-style diets, such as the diet in Corfu, another region of Greece, which had higher death rates.[citation needed]
The Lyon Heart Study[22] set out to mimic the Cretan diet, but adopted a pragmatic approach. Realizing that some of the people in the study would be reluctant to move from butter to olive oil, they used a margarine based on rapeseed (canola) oil. The dietary change also included 20% increases in vitamin C rich fruit and bread and decreases in processed and red meat. On this diet, mortality from all causes was reduced by 70%. This study was so successful that the ethics committee decided to stop the study prematurely so that the results of the study could be made available to the public immediately.[23]
Alcohol
Main article: Alcohol and heart attacks
The World Health Organization (WHO) states there is convincing evidence that "low to moderate alcohol intake" reduces the risk of coronary heart disease but also that "high alcohol intake" increases the risk of stroke.[24].
Summary
Current indications suggest that the best way forward at present may be to be wary of manufactured foods (especially those containing hydrogenated oils), to increase intakes of fresh fruits and vegetables, and to consider eating unrefined foods including dairy products, meats, nuts and grains.
Avoiding smoking and homogenised milk, reducing salt and sugar consumption, and adopting regular physical activity are also likely to be beneficial
Health disesae,Health disesae,Health disesae,
Health disesae,Health disesae,Health disesae,
Health disesae,Health disesae,Health disesae,
Health disesae,Health disesae,Health disesae,
Health disesae,Health disesae,Health disesae,
Health disesae,Health disesae,Health disesae,
Health disesae,Health disesae,Health disesae,
Health disesae,Health disesae,Health disesae,
Health disesae,Health disesae,Health disesae,
Health disesae,Health disesae,Health disesae,
Health disesae,Healtdisesae,Health disesae,
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from Diet and Heart Disease)
Jump to: navigation, search
Diet may play an important role in causing or preventing heart disease. Doctors and nutritionists have studied numerous diets and dietary components in an effort to minimise the risk of heart diseases.
Contents
1 Misconceptions
1.1 Saturated fats & Cholesterol
2 Dietary factors that may increase risk
2.1 Trans fats
2.2 Salt
2.3 Homogenised milk
3 Preventive diets
3.1 Vegetarian diet
3.2 Cretan Mediterranean-style diet
3.3 Alcohol
4 Summary
5 See also
6 References
7 External links
7.1 Government advice
7.2 Science sites
7.3 Other sites
Misconceptions
Saturated fats & Cholesterol
One of the earliest suggestions that saturated fats and cholesterol could be related to heart disease was proposed by Ancel Keys in the late 1950s. While this and other similar studies were eagerly received by commercial beneficiaries such as the processed oil and food industries, other scientific studies have cast doubts on whether saturated fats should be demonised.
An analysis of American statistics covering the sixty year period from 1910 to 1970 found that the proportion of traditional animal fats in the American diet declined from 83% to 62%, and the annual consumption of butter in particular declined from 18 pounds to 4 pounds per person. The study also found that over the past eighty years, the percentage of vegetable oil consumption in the form of margarine, vegetable shortening and other refined oils has increased by around 400%, with the consumption of sugar and processed foods by 60%.[1] This suggests that hydrogenated oils (which contain trans fat, not saturated fat) and sugar should be suspected to be more at fault than saturated fats.
A famous project called the Framingham Heart Study, started in 1948, found after 40 years of testing that while those who weighed more and had abnormally high blood cholesterol levels were slightly more at risk of developing heart disease, weight gain and cholesterol levels had an inverse correlation with saturated fat and cholesterol intake in the diet.[2] It was also found that the subjects with the highest saturated fat consumption weighed the least, but also happened to be the most physically active of the population under study. A director of the Framingham Heart Study, Dr William Castelli, wrote in 1992[1]
For example, in Framingham, Massachusetts, the more saturated fat one ate, the more cholesterol one ate, the more calories one ate, the lower the person's serum cholesterol... In view of this, this study fails to describe a relationship of those traditional dietary constituents, saturated fat and cholesterol, known to have an adverse effect on blood lipids, and thereby, on the subsequent development of coronary disease end points.[3]
One large trial, the Multiple Risk Factor Intervention Trial (MRFIT) produced surprising results. It compared the death rates and eating habits of 12,000 men, and treated certain individuals by controlling high blood pressure with medicines, preventing smoking, and stipulating a low fat, low cholesterol diet. The MRFIT trial found that while those on the low fat diet had a slightly decreased mortality from Coronary heart disease, the overall mortality from all causes for those who were treated and obeyed the suggested diet was higher.[4]
Another study from the 1960s which examined the health of Yemenite Jews found that the diet of the subjects living in Yemen contained no sugar and obtained all its fat from animal sources. The subjects who had moved from Yemen to Israel altered their diets so that 25-30 percent of their carbohydrate intake was derived from sugar, and they obtained their fat from the consumption of margarine and vegetable oils. The Yemenite group was found to have few examples of heart disease and diabetes, whereas incidences of these disorders were far higher in the Israeli group.[5]
Saturated fats have gained an unjust notoriety by being confused with trans fats, both in early studies from the mid 20th century, and also as they were long grouped together in various U.S. databases used by researchers to correlate dietary trends with disease conditions.[6][7][8]
Dietary factors that may increase risk
Trans fats
Main article: Trans fat
While both saturated and trans fats increase levels of LDL cholesterol (so-called "bad" cholesterol), trans fats also lower the levels of HDL cholesterol (so-called "good" cholesterol) [2]; this increases the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). The NAS is concerned "that dietary trans fatty acids are more deleterious with respect to CHD than saturated fatty acids" [3].
The Harvard Medical School has shown that most oils reduce blood cholesterol. However, more importantly they showed that hydrogenated, or trans fats, which are present in margarine and are extensively used for packaged food manufacturing, may be harmful. One of their studies published in 2005 has determined that a positive relationship exists between the consumption of trans fat and the development of endothelial dysfunction, a precursor to atherosclerosis.[9]
Trans fats are harmful because they are absorbed by the body's cell membranes as if they were cis fats, causing the cells to become partially hydrogenated, which disrupts cell metabolism.[4]
Other studies have found that hydrogenated fats made from vegetable oils block the use of essential fatty acids, which could contribute to sexual dysfunction, increased blood cholesterol and negatively affect the immune system.[10][11][12][13][14]
Salt
Main article: Edible salt
The UK Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) review Salt and Health is probably the most authoritative single document on its stated topic. It concludes:
Hypertension (high blood pressure). "Since 1994, the evidence of an association between dietary salt intakes and blood pressure has increased. The data have been consistent in various study populations and across the age range in adults." (SACN, p3).
Left Ventricular Hypertrophy (LVH). "Evidence suggests that high salt intake causes left ventricular hypertrophy, a strong risk factor for cardiovascular disease, independently of blood pressure effects." (SACN, p3)
Homogenised milk
Main Articles: Unpasteurised milk: Homogenisation & heart disease; also Milk: Creaming & homogenisation
In recent years, there has been increased attention placed on potential health concerns relating to the homogenisation of milk and other dairy products. Studies conducted by Dr Kurt A Oster and his colleague D.J. Ross from the early 1960s to the mid 1980s suggested that homogenised milk could be a major factor in arterial plaque formation, causing heart disease.
Oster and Ross hypothesised that the homogenisation of milk increased the dietary availability of xanthine oxidase, which could lead to the formation of arterial, or atheromatous, plaque. However a team lead by A.J. Clifford in the early 1980s asserted that Oster and Ross had not sufficiently established their arguments.[15]
While the xanthine oxidase/plasmalogen hypothesis has been disproved, the debate is hardly over. Lipids expert Mary Enig has remarked that while Oster's work has been discounted, it does not prove that the homogenisation process is benign, as it vastly increases the surface area of fat globules, and causes new globule mebranes to be formed which have a different composition to raw milk fat globules.[5] Examination of the xanthine oxidase issue has continued, with recent research by R.J. Hajjar and J.A. Leopold, "Xanthine oxidase inhibition and heart failure: novel therapeutic strategy for ventricular dysfunction", published in Circulation Research (2006) (journal of the American Heart Association).
Preventive diets
Vegetarian diet
Vegetarians have been shown to have a 24% reduced risk of dying of heart disease.[16]
One of the earliest and well-known popularizers of a diet approach to heart disease was the Pritikin diet. The Pritikin Plan was created by a non-physician, Nathan Pritikin, and consisted of diet and exercise changes in a residential program.
The Ornish Diet is widely believed to have proven that a low fat, low cholesterol diet prevents heart disease.[citation needed] The AHA-1 Diet is recommended by the American Heart Association. Some food manufacturers produce cholesterol-reducing products which they suggest may help to reduce the risk of heart disease. [citation needed]
In addition to Ornish, Dr. Gabe Mirkin and Dr. John McDougall have been proponents of a diet approach to avoiding heart disease. McDougall sells "just add water" vegetarian meals in a cup on his rightfoods site.
The most powerful cholesterol-lowering agents are soluble fiber, unsaturated fats, and phytochemicals, all of which are found almost exclusively in plant foods. In the seventeen studies conducted between 1978 and 2002, the average vegan’s cholesterol level was 160 mg/dl, while the average non-vegetarian’s cholesterol was 202 mg/dl.[17]
Despite the benefits of a vegetarian diet, it is likely that with a few changes to the typical vegetarian diet, the risks of heart disease could be reduced even further. Vegetarian diets are sometimes low in Vitamin B12, which can lead to increased homocysteine levels--a risk factor for heart diease. Since vegetarians do not eat fish, some vegetarians don't have high intakes of Omega-3 fatty acids. There is strong evidence that higher intakes of Omega-3 fatty acids reduce the risk of heart disease. Both of these shortcomings can easily be overcome by taking a vitamin B12 supplement, along with spirulina or fermented soy products and increasing intake of omega-3 fatty acids via ground flax seeds or flax seed oil, soy products, and walnuts. There is some evidence that flax may be even more beneficial than fish oil in its effectiveness in reducing C-reactive protein, an indicator of heart disease.[citation needed] It should also be noted that while canola oil contains Omega-3 fatty acids, it has a high sulphur content and goes rancid easily. If canola oil is deodorised, these Omega-3 fatty acids are transformed into trans fatty acids, which are harmful.[6]
Cretan Mediterranean-style diet
The Seven Country Study[18] found that Cretan men had exceptionally low death rates from heart disease, despite moderate to high intake of fat. The Cretan diet is similar to other traditional Mediterranean diets: consisting mostly of olive oil, bread, abundant fruit and vegetables, a moderate amount of wine, and fat-rich animal products such as lamb, sausage and goat cheese.[19][20][21] However, the Cretan diet consisted of less fish and wine consumption than some other Mediterranean-style diets, such as the diet in Corfu, another region of Greece, which had higher death rates.[citation needed]
The Lyon Heart Study[22] set out to mimic the Cretan diet, but adopted a pragmatic approach. Realizing that some of the people in the study would be reluctant to move from butter to olive oil, they used a margarine based on rapeseed (canola) oil. The dietary change also included 20% increases in vitamin C rich fruit and bread and decreases in processed and red meat. On this diet, mortality from all causes was reduced by 70%. This study was so successful that the ethics committee decided to stop the study prematurely so that the results of the study could be made available to the public immediately.[23]
Alcohol
Main article: Alcohol and heart attacks
The World Health Organization (WHO) states there is convincing evidence that "low to moderate alcohol intake" reduces the risk of coronary heart disease but also that "high alcohol intake" increases the risk of stroke.[24].
Summary
Current indications suggest that the best way forward at present may be to be wary of manufactured foods (especially those containing hydrogenated oils), to increase intakes of fresh fruits and vegetables, and to consider eating unrefined foods including dairy products, meats, nuts and grains.
Avoiding smoking and homogenised milk, reducing salt and sugar consumption, and adopting regular physical activity are also likely to be beneficial
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Coronary heart disease
Coronary heart disease (CHD), also called coronary artery disease (CAD) and atherosclerotic heart disease, is the end result of the accumulation of atheromatous plaques within the walls of the arteries that supply the myocardium (the muscle of the heart). While the symptoms and signs of coronary heart disease are noted in the advanced state of disease, most individuals with coronary heart disease show no evidence of disease for decades as the disease progresses before the first onset of symptoms, often a "sudden" heart attack, finally arise. After decades of progression, some of these atheromatous plaques may rupture and (along with the activation of the blood clotting system) start limiting blood flow to the heart muscle. The disease is the most common cause of sudden death, and is also the most common reason for death of men and women over 65 years of age.
Contents
1 Overview
2 Pathophysiology
3 Angina
4 Risk factors
5 Prevention
5.1 Preventive diets
6 Recent research
7 References
8 See also
9 External links
Overview
Atherosclerotic heart disease can be thought of as a wide spectrum of disease of the heart. At one end of the spectrum is the asymptomatic individual with atheromatous streaks within the walls of the coronary arteries (the arteries of the heart). These streaks represent the early stage of atherosclerotic heart disease and do not obstruct the flow of blood. A coronary angiogram performed during this stage of disease may not show any evidence of coronary artery disease, because the lumen of the coronary artery has not decreased in calibre.
Over a period of many years, these streaks increase in thickness. While the atheromatous plaques initially expand into the walls of the arteries, eventually they will expand into the lumen of the vessel, affecting the flow of blood through the arteries. While it was originally believed that the growth of atheromatous plaques was a slow, gradual process, some recent evidence suggests that the gradual buildup of plaque may be complemented by small plaque ruptures which cause the sudden increase in the plaque burden due to accumulation of thrombus material.
Atheromatous plaques that cause obstruction of less than 70 percent of the diameter of the vessel rarely cause symptoms of obstructive coronary artery disease. As the plaques grow in thickness and obstruct more than 70 percent of the diameter of the vessel, the individual develops symptoms of obstructive coronary artery disease. At this stage of the disease process, the patient can be said to have ischemic heart disease. The symptoms of ischemic heart disease are often first noted during times of increased workload of the heart. For instance, the first symptoms include exertional angina or decreased exercise tolerance.
As the degree of coronary artery disease progresses, there may be near-complete obstruction of the lumen of the coronary artery, severely restricting the flow of oxygen-carrying blood to the myocardium. Individuals with this degree of coronary heart disease typically have suffered from one or more myocardial infarctions (heart attacks), and may have signs and symptoms of chronic coronary ischemia, including symptoms of angina at rest and flash pulmonary edema.
A distinction should be made between myocardial ischemia and myocardial infarction. Ischemia means that the amount of oxygen supplied to the tissue is inadequate to supply the needs of the tissue. When the myocardium becomes ischemic, it does not function optimally. When large areas of the myocardium becomes ischemic, there can be impairment in the relaxation and contraction of the myocardium. If the blood flow to the tissue is improved, myocardial ischemia can be reversed. Infarction means that the tissue has undergone irreversible death due to lack of sufficient oxygen-rich blood.
An individual may develop a rupture of an atheromatous plaque at any stage of the spectrum of coronary heart disease. The acute rupture of a plaque may lead to an acute myocardial infarction (heart attack).
Pathophysiology
Limitation of blood flow to the heart causes ischemia (cell starvation secondary to a lack of oxygen) of the myocardial cells. When myocardial cells die from lack of oxygen, this is called a myocardial infarction (commonly called a heart attack). It leads to heart muscle damage, heart muscle death and later scarring without heart muscle regrowth.
Myocardial infarction usually results from the sudden occlusion of a coronary artery when a plaque ruptures, activating the clotting system and atheroma-clot interaction fills the lumen of the artery to the point of sudden closure. The typical narrowing of the lumen of the heart artery before sudden closure is typically 20%, according to clinical research completed in the late 1990s and using IVUS examinations within 6 months prior to a heart attack. High grade stenoses as such exceeding 75% blockage, such as detected by stress testing, were found to be responsible for only 14% of acute heart attacks the rest being due to plaque rupture/ spasm. The events leading up to plaque rupture are only partially understood. Myocardial infarction is also caused, far less commonly, by spasm of the artery wall occluding the lumen, a condition also associated with atheromatous plaque and CHD.
CHD is associated with smoking, obesity, hypertension and a chronic sub-clinical lack of vitamin C. A family history of CHD is one of the strongest predictors of CHD. Screening for CHD includes evaluating homocysteine levels, high-density and low-density lipoprotein (cholesterol) levels and triglyceride levels.
Angina
The pain associated with very advanced CHD is known as angina, and usually presents as a sensation of pressure in the chest, arm pain, jaw pain, and other forms of discomfort. The word discomfort is preferred over the word pain for describing the sensation of angina, because it varies considerably among individuals in character and intensity and most people do not perceive angina as painful, unless it is severe. There is evidence that angina and CHD present differently in women and men.
Angina that occurs regularly with activity, upon awakening, or at other predictable times is termed stable angina and is associated with high grade narrowings of the heart arteries. The symptoms of angina are often treated with nitrate preparations such as nitroglycerin, which come in short-acting and long-acting forms, and may be administered transdermally, sublingually or orally. Many other more effective treatments, especially of the underlying atheromatous disease, have been developed.
Angina that changes in intensity, character or frequency is termed unstable. Unstable angina may precede myocardial infarction, and requires urgent medical attention. It is treated with morphine, oxygen, intravenous nitroglycerin, and aspirin. Interventional procedures such as angioplasty may be done.
Risk factors
The following are confirmed independent risk factors for the development of CAD, in order of decreasing importance:
Hypercholesterolemia (specifically, serum LDL concentrations)
Smoking
Hypertension (high systolic pressure seems to be most significant in this regard)
Hyperglycemia (due to diabetes mellitus or otherwise)
Hereditary differences in such diverse aspects as lipoprotein structure and that of their associated receptors, homocysteine processing/metabolism, etc.
Significant, but indirect risk factors include:
Lack of exercise
Stress
Diet rich in saturated fats
Diet low in antioxidants
Obesity
Men or Women over 65
Prevention
Coronary heart disease is the most common form of heart disease in the Western world. Prevention centers on the modifiable risk factors, which include decreasing cholesterol levels, addressing obesity and hypertension, avoiding a sedentary lifestyle, making healthy dietary choices, and stopping smoking. There is some evidence that lowering uric acid and homocysteine levels may contribute. In diabetes mellitus, there is little evidence that blood sugar control actually improves cardiac risk. Some recommend a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin C. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends "low to moderate alcohol intake" to reduce risk of coronary heart disease [1].
An increasingly growing number of other physiological markers and homeostatic mechanisms are currently under scientific investigation. Among these markers are low density lipoprotein and asymmetric dimethylarginine. Patients with CHD and those trying to prevent CHD are advised to avoid fats that are readily oxidized (e.g., saturated fats and trans-fats), limit carbohydrates and processed sugars to reduce production of Low density lipoproteins while increasing High density lipoproteins, keeping blood pressure normal, exercise and stop smoking. These measures limit the progression of the disease. Recent studies have shown that dramatic reduction in LDL levels can cause mild regression of coronary heart disease.
Risk factor management is carried out during cardiac rehabilitation, a 4-phase process beginning in hospital after MI, angioplasty or heart surgery and continuing for a minimum of three months. Exercise is a main component of cardiac rehabilitation along with diet, smoking cessation and blood pressure and cholesterol management.
Preventive diets
Main article: Diet and Heart Disease
Vegetarian diet: Vegetarians have been shown to have a 24% reduced risk of dying of heart disease (source: Key TJ, Fraser GE, et al. 1999, Sep. Mortality in vegetarians and nonvegetarians: detailed findings from a collaborative analysis of 5 prospective studies. Am J Clin Nutr, 70:516S-524S).
Cretan Mediterranean-style diet: The Seven Country Study found that Cretan men had exceptionally low death rates from heart disease, despite moderate to high intake of fat. The Cretan diet is similar to other traditional Mediterranean diets: consisting mostly of olive oil, bread, abundant fruit and vegetables, a moderate amount of wine and fat-rich animal products such as lamb, sausage and goat cheese.[1][2][3]. However, the Cretan diet consisted of less fish and wine consumption than some other Mediterranean-style diets, such as the diet in Corfu, another region of Greece, which had higher death rates.[citation needed]
A study published in 2005 has determined that a positive relationship exists between the consumption of trans fat (commonly found in hydrogenated products such as margarine) and the development of endothelial dysfunction, a precursor to atherosclerosis.[4]
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Health disesae,Health disesae,Health disesae,
Health disesae,Health disesae,Health disesae,
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Contents
1 Overview
2 Pathophysiology
3 Angina
4 Risk factors
5 Prevention
5.1 Preventive diets
6 Recent research
7 References
8 See also
9 External links
Overview
Atherosclerotic heart disease can be thought of as a wide spectrum of disease of the heart. At one end of the spectrum is the asymptomatic individual with atheromatous streaks within the walls of the coronary arteries (the arteries of the heart). These streaks represent the early stage of atherosclerotic heart disease and do not obstruct the flow of blood. A coronary angiogram performed during this stage of disease may not show any evidence of coronary artery disease, because the lumen of the coronary artery has not decreased in calibre.
Over a period of many years, these streaks increase in thickness. While the atheromatous plaques initially expand into the walls of the arteries, eventually they will expand into the lumen of the vessel, affecting the flow of blood through the arteries. While it was originally believed that the growth of atheromatous plaques was a slow, gradual process, some recent evidence suggests that the gradual buildup of plaque may be complemented by small plaque ruptures which cause the sudden increase in the plaque burden due to accumulation of thrombus material.
Atheromatous plaques that cause obstruction of less than 70 percent of the diameter of the vessel rarely cause symptoms of obstructive coronary artery disease. As the plaques grow in thickness and obstruct more than 70 percent of the diameter of the vessel, the individual develops symptoms of obstructive coronary artery disease. At this stage of the disease process, the patient can be said to have ischemic heart disease. The symptoms of ischemic heart disease are often first noted during times of increased workload of the heart. For instance, the first symptoms include exertional angina or decreased exercise tolerance.
As the degree of coronary artery disease progresses, there may be near-complete obstruction of the lumen of the coronary artery, severely restricting the flow of oxygen-carrying blood to the myocardium. Individuals with this degree of coronary heart disease typically have suffered from one or more myocardial infarctions (heart attacks), and may have signs and symptoms of chronic coronary ischemia, including symptoms of angina at rest and flash pulmonary edema.
A distinction should be made between myocardial ischemia and myocardial infarction. Ischemia means that the amount of oxygen supplied to the tissue is inadequate to supply the needs of the tissue. When the myocardium becomes ischemic, it does not function optimally. When large areas of the myocardium becomes ischemic, there can be impairment in the relaxation and contraction of the myocardium. If the blood flow to the tissue is improved, myocardial ischemia can be reversed. Infarction means that the tissue has undergone irreversible death due to lack of sufficient oxygen-rich blood.
An individual may develop a rupture of an atheromatous plaque at any stage of the spectrum of coronary heart disease. The acute rupture of a plaque may lead to an acute myocardial infarction (heart attack).
Pathophysiology
Limitation of blood flow to the heart causes ischemia (cell starvation secondary to a lack of oxygen) of the myocardial cells. When myocardial cells die from lack of oxygen, this is called a myocardial infarction (commonly called a heart attack). It leads to heart muscle damage, heart muscle death and later scarring without heart muscle regrowth.
Myocardial infarction usually results from the sudden occlusion of a coronary artery when a plaque ruptures, activating the clotting system and atheroma-clot interaction fills the lumen of the artery to the point of sudden closure. The typical narrowing of the lumen of the heart artery before sudden closure is typically 20%, according to clinical research completed in the late 1990s and using IVUS examinations within 6 months prior to a heart attack. High grade stenoses as such exceeding 75% blockage, such as detected by stress testing, were found to be responsible for only 14% of acute heart attacks the rest being due to plaque rupture/ spasm. The events leading up to plaque rupture are only partially understood. Myocardial infarction is also caused, far less commonly, by spasm of the artery wall occluding the lumen, a condition also associated with atheromatous plaque and CHD.
CHD is associated with smoking, obesity, hypertension and a chronic sub-clinical lack of vitamin C. A family history of CHD is one of the strongest predictors of CHD. Screening for CHD includes evaluating homocysteine levels, high-density and low-density lipoprotein (cholesterol) levels and triglyceride levels.
Angina
The pain associated with very advanced CHD is known as angina, and usually presents as a sensation of pressure in the chest, arm pain, jaw pain, and other forms of discomfort. The word discomfort is preferred over the word pain for describing the sensation of angina, because it varies considerably among individuals in character and intensity and most people do not perceive angina as painful, unless it is severe. There is evidence that angina and CHD present differently in women and men.
Angina that occurs regularly with activity, upon awakening, or at other predictable times is termed stable angina and is associated with high grade narrowings of the heart arteries. The symptoms of angina are often treated with nitrate preparations such as nitroglycerin, which come in short-acting and long-acting forms, and may be administered transdermally, sublingually or orally. Many other more effective treatments, especially of the underlying atheromatous disease, have been developed.
Angina that changes in intensity, character or frequency is termed unstable. Unstable angina may precede myocardial infarction, and requires urgent medical attention. It is treated with morphine, oxygen, intravenous nitroglycerin, and aspirin. Interventional procedures such as angioplasty may be done.
Risk factors
The following are confirmed independent risk factors for the development of CAD, in order of decreasing importance:
Hypercholesterolemia (specifically, serum LDL concentrations)
Smoking
Hypertension (high systolic pressure seems to be most significant in this regard)
Hyperglycemia (due to diabetes mellitus or otherwise)
Hereditary differences in such diverse aspects as lipoprotein structure and that of their associated receptors, homocysteine processing/metabolism, etc.
Significant, but indirect risk factors include:
Lack of exercise
Stress
Diet rich in saturated fats
Diet low in antioxidants
Obesity
Men or Women over 65
Prevention
Coronary heart disease is the most common form of heart disease in the Western world. Prevention centers on the modifiable risk factors, which include decreasing cholesterol levels, addressing obesity and hypertension, avoiding a sedentary lifestyle, making healthy dietary choices, and stopping smoking. There is some evidence that lowering uric acid and homocysteine levels may contribute. In diabetes mellitus, there is little evidence that blood sugar control actually improves cardiac risk. Some recommend a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin C. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends "low to moderate alcohol intake" to reduce risk of coronary heart disease [1].
An increasingly growing number of other physiological markers and homeostatic mechanisms are currently under scientific investigation. Among these markers are low density lipoprotein and asymmetric dimethylarginine. Patients with CHD and those trying to prevent CHD are advised to avoid fats that are readily oxidized (e.g., saturated fats and trans-fats), limit carbohydrates and processed sugars to reduce production of Low density lipoproteins while increasing High density lipoproteins, keeping blood pressure normal, exercise and stop smoking. These measures limit the progression of the disease. Recent studies have shown that dramatic reduction in LDL levels can cause mild regression of coronary heart disease.
Risk factor management is carried out during cardiac rehabilitation, a 4-phase process beginning in hospital after MI, angioplasty or heart surgery and continuing for a minimum of three months. Exercise is a main component of cardiac rehabilitation along with diet, smoking cessation and blood pressure and cholesterol management.
Preventive diets
Main article: Diet and Heart Disease
Vegetarian diet: Vegetarians have been shown to have a 24% reduced risk of dying of heart disease (source: Key TJ, Fraser GE, et al. 1999, Sep. Mortality in vegetarians and nonvegetarians: detailed findings from a collaborative analysis of 5 prospective studies. Am J Clin Nutr, 70:516S-524S).
Cretan Mediterranean-style diet: The Seven Country Study found that Cretan men had exceptionally low death rates from heart disease, despite moderate to high intake of fat. The Cretan diet is similar to other traditional Mediterranean diets: consisting mostly of olive oil, bread, abundant fruit and vegetables, a moderate amount of wine and fat-rich animal products such as lamb, sausage and goat cheese.[1][2][3]. However, the Cretan diet consisted of less fish and wine consumption than some other Mediterranean-style diets, such as the diet in Corfu, another region of Greece, which had higher death rates.[citation needed]
A study published in 2005 has determined that a positive relationship exists between the consumption of trans fat (commonly found in hydrogenated products such as margarine) and the development of endothelial dysfunction, a precursor to atherosclerosis.[4]
Health disesae,Health disesae,Health disesae,
Health disesae,Health disesae,Health disesae,
Health disesae,Health disesae,Health disesae,
Health disesae,Health disesae,Health disesae,
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Congenital heart disease
Congenital heart disease (CHD) is heart disease in the newborn, and includes structural defects, congenital arrythmias, and cardiomyopathies. CHD is a defect of the heart that exists primarily at birth, and can describe a wide variety of different abnormalities affecting the heart. CHD occurs when the heart or blood vessels near the heart does not develop properly before birth. Therefore, the heart does not pump because it is not completely developed. Also the blood flow is obstructed in the heart of the vessels nearby, causing an abnormal flow of blood through the heart. Blood flow obstructions put a strain on the heart muscle causing the heart to work harder and beat faster. Abnormal blood flow usually occurs when there is a hole in the walls of the heart and may be an abnormal connection between two arteries outside the heart.
Contents
Causes
CHD has many diverse causes. Some factors are environmental, such as chemicals, drugs, or infection. However, the bulk of CHD is thought to be genetic in nature. Infections such as German measles (i.e. rubella) can produce CHD. Women with diabetes and phenylketonuria are at high risk for their children to be born with this disease. Other causes include the mother's excessive intake of alcohol and illegal drugs while pregnant. There are many genetic conditions which can be a factor in causing CHD, such as DiGeorge syndrome (22q11 deletion syndrome), Holt-Oram syndrome, and Alagille syndrome. Although these factors are known causes of CHD, most are currently unknown. Therefore, the causes of most cases of CHD are unknown.
Diagnosis
Mild congenital heart diseases may not be observed or occur until adulthood. The physician or provider will find this through a series of questions in an examination. Echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance(MRI) are used to confirm CHD when signs or symptoms occur in the physical examination. An echocardiograph displays images of the heart and the sound waves it makes. It also finds abnormal rhythms or defects of the heart present with CHD. Fetal echocardiography is used to diagnose CHD in utero after 20 weeks of pregnancy. An ultrasound may be used to determine the defects in pregnant women. Cardiac MRI scans and uses magnetic fields and radio waves to determine these defects but is not always necessary in dianosing CHD. A chest x-ray may also be issued to look at the anatomical position of the heart and lungs. A Cat Scan(CT) can also be used to visualize CHD. All of these tests are ways to diagnose CHD by a physician.
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Health disesae,Health disesae,Health disesae,
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Contents
Causes
CHD has many diverse causes. Some factors are environmental, such as chemicals, drugs, or infection. However, the bulk of CHD is thought to be genetic in nature. Infections such as German measles (i.e. rubella) can produce CHD. Women with diabetes and phenylketonuria are at high risk for their children to be born with this disease. Other causes include the mother's excessive intake of alcohol and illegal drugs while pregnant. There are many genetic conditions which can be a factor in causing CHD, such as DiGeorge syndrome (22q11 deletion syndrome), Holt-Oram syndrome, and Alagille syndrome. Although these factors are known causes of CHD, most are currently unknown. Therefore, the causes of most cases of CHD are unknown.
Diagnosis
Mild congenital heart diseases may not be observed or occur until adulthood. The physician or provider will find this through a series of questions in an examination. Echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance(MRI) are used to confirm CHD when signs or symptoms occur in the physical examination. An echocardiograph displays images of the heart and the sound waves it makes. It also finds abnormal rhythms or defects of the heart present with CHD. Fetal echocardiography is used to diagnose CHD in utero after 20 weeks of pregnancy. An ultrasound may be used to determine the defects in pregnant women. Cardiac MRI scans and uses magnetic fields and radio waves to determine these defects but is not always necessary in dianosing CHD. A chest x-ray may also be issued to look at the anatomical position of the heart and lungs. A Cat Scan(CT) can also be used to visualize CHD. All of these tests are ways to diagnose CHD by a physician.
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Health disesae,Health disesae,Health disesae,
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Ischaemic heart disease
Ischaemic (or ischemic) heart disease is a disease characterized by reduced blood supply to the heart. It is the most common cause of death in most western countries.
Ischaemia means a "reduced blood supply". The coronary arteries supply blood to the heart muscle and no alternative blood supply exists, so a blockage in the coronary arteries reduces the supply of blood to heart muscle.
Most ischaemic heart disease is caused by atherosclerosis, usually present even when the artery lumens appear normal by angiography, see IVUS.
What is it?
Initially there is sudden severe narrowing or closure of either the large coronary arteries and/or of coronary artery end branches by debris showering downstream in the flowing blood. It is usually felt as angina, especially if a large area is affected.
The narrowing or closure is predominantly caused by the covering of atheromatous plaques within the wall of the artery rupturing, in turn leading to a heart attack (Heart attacks caused by just artery narrowing are rare).
A heart attack causes damage to heart muscle by cutting off its blood supply.
This can cause:
Temporary damage and pain (ischemia)
Loss of muscle activity (acute heart failure)
Permanent heart muscle damage, heart muscle does not grow back (acute myocardial infarction /infarct)
Long term loss of heart muscle activity (chronic heart failure)
Cardiac arrhythmias: irregular heartbeat which can be fatal. Most death is due to arrhythmias, usually tachyarrhythmias.
Other structural damage to the heart including damaged heart valves, actual perforation of the heart and a thin walled fibrous floppy heart.
Prevention
Prevent or delay atherosclerosis.
Do not smoke
Maintain low blood pressure - prevent/treat hypertension (high blood pressure)
Exercise frequently - exercising the heart muscle strengthens it, like any other muscle
Avoid obesity - increasing body fat stores, especially intra-abdominal fat, increases serum cholesterol, triglycerides, insulin requirements and promotes Diabetes Mellitus plus chronically increases heart muscle workload.
Avoid trans-fats - these are found in any chemically modified fat product, such as margarine, in hydrogenated fats, and especially in superheated fats (such as those used for commercial deep frying). These fats are unreactive (not fitting in the enzymes designed for cis-fats) and should not be consumed in any amount; however, in many western countries, limitation may be the only practical option. Some mono-unsaturated fats are beneficial in reducing the risk of heart disease when consumed in moderation. When consumed in excess, however, other health concerns arise. An increase in polyunsaturated fats is also warranted in most American diets. Dietary cholesterol intake is known to have only limited effect on serum cholesterol.
Monitor and reduce cholesterol - take LDLipoprotein cholesterol reducing and HDLipoprotein raising drugs and verfiy both LDLipoprotein particle counts and quantitative large HDLipoprotein response to treatment
Avoid shift work
Eat vitamin C - this micronutrient maintains healthy blood vessels (see scurvy), and prevents tears and fissures in the lumen wall that act as condensation nuclei on which the cholesterol molecules aglommerate
Treatment of a heart attack
The option required depends on the situation.
Specialised coronary care (the sooner the better); most deaths are due to sudden onset arrhythmias - time is crucial to survival.
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (breathing support, pulse and BP monitoring & possible chest compressions).
A defibrillator can stop cardiac arrhythmias.
An artificial pacemaker can speed up cardiac bradyarrhythmias.
Drugs such as adrenaline can increase heart rate and strength of contractions, although also promote tachyarrhythmias.
Thrombolytic agents can clear away compounding blood clots.
Anticoagulation can impede additional blood clots.
Inotropic drugs will raise blood pressure.
Unblock arteries with angioplasty ("balloon angioplasty with or without stents") or surgery.
After a heart attack
Possible angioplasty or cardiac surgery.
Possibly the regular administration of anti-coagulants to prevent further blood clot complications.
Possibly the administration of drugs to reduce heart arrhythmias although they many also induce arrhythmias.
Lifestyle modifications are important in prevention of a second MI; increased exercise, reduction of stress, and improved dietary considerations are perhaps most important
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Health disesae,Health disesae,Health disesae,
Health disesae,Health disesae,Health disesae,
Ischaemia means a "reduced blood supply". The coronary arteries supply blood to the heart muscle and no alternative blood supply exists, so a blockage in the coronary arteries reduces the supply of blood to heart muscle.
Most ischaemic heart disease is caused by atherosclerosis, usually present even when the artery lumens appear normal by angiography, see IVUS.
What is it?
Initially there is sudden severe narrowing or closure of either the large coronary arteries and/or of coronary artery end branches by debris showering downstream in the flowing blood. It is usually felt as angina, especially if a large area is affected.
The narrowing or closure is predominantly caused by the covering of atheromatous plaques within the wall of the artery rupturing, in turn leading to a heart attack (Heart attacks caused by just artery narrowing are rare).
A heart attack causes damage to heart muscle by cutting off its blood supply.
This can cause:
Temporary damage and pain (ischemia)
Loss of muscle activity (acute heart failure)
Permanent heart muscle damage, heart muscle does not grow back (acute myocardial infarction /infarct)
Long term loss of heart muscle activity (chronic heart failure)
Cardiac arrhythmias: irregular heartbeat which can be fatal. Most death is due to arrhythmias, usually tachyarrhythmias.
Other structural damage to the heart including damaged heart valves, actual perforation of the heart and a thin walled fibrous floppy heart.
Prevention
Prevent or delay atherosclerosis.
Do not smoke
Maintain low blood pressure - prevent/treat hypertension (high blood pressure)
Exercise frequently - exercising the heart muscle strengthens it, like any other muscle
Avoid obesity - increasing body fat stores, especially intra-abdominal fat, increases serum cholesterol, triglycerides, insulin requirements and promotes Diabetes Mellitus plus chronically increases heart muscle workload.
Avoid trans-fats - these are found in any chemically modified fat product, such as margarine, in hydrogenated fats, and especially in superheated fats (such as those used for commercial deep frying). These fats are unreactive (not fitting in the enzymes designed for cis-fats) and should not be consumed in any amount; however, in many western countries, limitation may be the only practical option. Some mono-unsaturated fats are beneficial in reducing the risk of heart disease when consumed in moderation. When consumed in excess, however, other health concerns arise. An increase in polyunsaturated fats is also warranted in most American diets. Dietary cholesterol intake is known to have only limited effect on serum cholesterol.
Monitor and reduce cholesterol - take LDLipoprotein cholesterol reducing and HDLipoprotein raising drugs and verfiy both LDLipoprotein particle counts and quantitative large HDLipoprotein response to treatment
Avoid shift work
Eat vitamin C - this micronutrient maintains healthy blood vessels (see scurvy), and prevents tears and fissures in the lumen wall that act as condensation nuclei on which the cholesterol molecules aglommerate
Treatment of a heart attack
The option required depends on the situation.
Specialised coronary care (the sooner the better); most deaths are due to sudden onset arrhythmias - time is crucial to survival.
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (breathing support, pulse and BP monitoring & possible chest compressions).
A defibrillator can stop cardiac arrhythmias.
An artificial pacemaker can speed up cardiac bradyarrhythmias.
Drugs such as adrenaline can increase heart rate and strength of contractions, although also promote tachyarrhythmias.
Thrombolytic agents can clear away compounding blood clots.
Anticoagulation can impede additional blood clots.
Inotropic drugs will raise blood pressure.
Unblock arteries with angioplasty ("balloon angioplasty with or without stents") or surgery.
After a heart attack
Possible angioplasty or cardiac surgery.
Possibly the regular administration of anti-coagulants to prevent further blood clot complications.
Possibly the administration of drugs to reduce heart arrhythmias although they many also induce arrhythmias.
Lifestyle modifications are important in prevention of a second MI; increased exercise, reduction of stress, and improved dietary considerations are perhaps most important
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