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The Truth About Heart Disease In Women

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Many believe that it is men that are primarily at risk of heart disease, but they are sadly mistaken.

According to the CDC – Women and Heart Disease Fact Sheet, heart disease is also the #1 cause of death in women. In fact, since 1984, more women than men have died each year from heart disease.

Heart Disease Facts For Women

The biggest killer of women all over the world is cardiovascular disease, which includes heart disease and stroke. The two diseases are responsible for killing 8.6 million women each year, which amounts to 1/3 of all deaths worldwide. [Read more…] about The Truth About Heart Disease In Women

Cholesterol – The Good, The Bad And The Ugly

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Cholesterol, mainly high cholesterol, has been a debated topic for years (and for good reason).

The CDC, the Centers for Disease Control, reveals some interesting facts about cholesterol.

  • Those who have high cholesterol are 2 times more at risk for heart disease, which, is the leading cause of death in the United States.
  •  71 million American adults, which equates to 33.5% of the population, have a high LDL (bad cholesterol) count.
  • Only 1 out of every 3 adults with high cholesterol manages to get it under control.
  • Less than 50% of those with high LDL counts seek treatment or incorporate the necessary lifestyle changes required to lower their levels.

So what is cholesterol, LDL, HDL and why does it matter to you? [Read more…] about Cholesterol – The Good, The Bad And The Ugly

Cholesterol Control For Women – Get with it!

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Healthy HeartA new study was released which showed that women were up to 10% less likely to achieve adequate control of their cholesterol readings than men.

Researchers at the National Committee for Quality Assurance looked at several measures for cardiovascular disease and diabetes prevention, treatment and risk factors among patients in 46 different commercial managed care plans and 148 Medicare plans.

[Read more…] about Cholesterol Control For Women – Get with it!

Virgin Olive Oil…is better

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The results of a European study recently published in the Annals of Internal Medicine showed that virgin olive oil contained more antioxidants that a more refined olive oil. What does this mean to you? More antixoidants may offer more protection against heart disease.

In this study those taking the virgin olive oil had higher levels of polyphenols (a certain class of antioxidants), higher levels of HDL (the good cholesterol that protects your heart) and higher levels of substances that help prevent the oxidantion of the LDL (bad cholesterol). All of this means you may be able to lower your risk of heart disease and strokes by using virgin olive oils over other types of oils in your diet.

How much olive oil? The participants, all men, ate about 1 tablespoon of virgin olive oil per day for three weeks. (Other particpants ate refined olive oil or a mixture of virgin and refined).

Remember when adding fats to your diet to look at your overall fat intake.

How To Reduce Your Risk Of Having A Stroke

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May is Stroke Awareness Month and the American Heart Association | American Stroke Association has launched new guidelines for stroke prevention.

Here are some things that you can be doing:

  • Get your blood pressure checked. Hypertension (high blood pressure) is a significant risk factor. You can reduce your risk of stokes due to hypertension with proper treatment.
  • Don’t smoke and eliminate your exposure to secondhand smoke.
  • If you have diabetes, it is imperative that you maintain tight control of your blood pressure, as well as your cholesterol.
  • If you already have hypertension reduce you intake of sodium (salt) to no more than 2.3 grams per day and increase your potassium intake to (4.7 gms per day) – eat a diet high in fruit, vegetables, low-fat dairy products and low in saturated and total fat.
  • Lower your total cholesterol to acceptable levels.
  • Be physically active (moderate-intensity) for at least 30 minutes a day. That’s one brisk walk for 30 minutes.

The American Stroke Association recently launched Power To End Stroke, an aggressive education and awareness initiative to reach African Americans, who are at greater stroke risk than other ethnic groups.

For more information on stroke or the Power To End Stroke campaign, call 1-888-4STROKE, or visit the American Stroke Association Web site: strokeassociation.org/power.