10 Heart Friendly Foods

Heart is our vital organ. No bodies can life without heart. So we must protect our heart and keep it healthy. There are many tips for keeping our heart still in health condition. But how?

God gives us a perfectly body, not less one or more. God gives us healthy bodies. God never gives us disease and illness. We can go sick caused by our habits. We usually have bad habits in our life. There are any substances affects to our health. There are foods, water and air. The most affects are foods. We usually have wrong consumption of foods. Foods also have big affect to our heart. Bad foods can make our heart broken. So, how to select foods which friendly to our heart?

Here are 10 heart friendly foods I suggested:

1. Salmon

This cold-water fish is a great source of protein and is also packed with heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids. The American Heart Association advises eating salmon and other omega-3 rich foods twice a week for benefits that go beyond heart health. Americans love salmon because it is so versatile, easy to cook, and tastes great.
2. Blueberries

Blueberries top the list as one of the most powerful disease-fighting foods. That's because they contain anthocyanins, the antioxidant responsible for their dark blue color. These delicious jewels are packed with fiber, vitamin C, and are available all year long.

3. Soy Protein

This inexpensive, high-quality protein contains fiber, vitamins, and minerals -- all the ingredients for a heart-healthy meal. Also, a diet rich in soy protein can lower triglycerides, which help prevent cardiovascular disease and keep your heart strong and healthy. In those with high cholesterol levels,the benefits of soy foods are due to their high levels of polyunsaturated fats, fiber, vitamins, and minerals.

4. Oatmeal

Oats are nourishing whole grains and a great source of vitamins, minerals, and cholesterol-lowering fiber. The FDA allows manufacturers of oats to make health claims about the grain on their products, suggesting that a diet high in oats can reduce the risk for heart disease. Researches shows oats lower cholesterol levels, keep you regular, and may help prevent certain cancers.

5. Spinach

Spinach is the powerhouse of the vegetable kingdom. Its rich, dark color comes from the multiple phytochemicals, vitamins, and minerals (especially folate and iron) that also fight disease, protect against heart disease, and preserve your eyesight.

6. Apples

Apples contain a phytochemical called quercetin which acts as an antiinflammatory and will help prevent blood clots as well. Apples contain vitamins and fiber, come in several delicious varieties and are portable. Eat an apple with a handful of walnuts or almonds as a healthy snack or add apple slices to your healthy salads.

7. Red Wine

Red wine contains a powerful antioxidant called resveratrol. Resveratrol has been shown to be good for your heart. Be sure to enjoy red wine in moderation. Studies show that only 4 to 8 ounces of red wine is needed each day.

8. Tomatoes

Tomatoes are packed with vitamins and lycopene, which has been shown to reduce heart disease risk. Add thick slices of tomatoes to sandwiches and salads or enjoy tomato sauce on whole-wheat pasta. In fact, cooked tomato sauce and canned tomato sauce that you buy in the store both contain more lycopene than raw tomatoes.

9. Almonds

Almonds and other nuts contain healthy oils, vitamin E and other substances that will help keep cholesterol levels in check. Almonds are also a good source of protein and fiber. Almonds make a great snack on their own, or sprinkle slivered almonds on green beans or asparagus with lemon juice as a deliciously healthy side dish.

10. Avocado

Packed with monounsaturated fat, avocados can help lower LDL levels while raising the amount of HDL cholesterol in your body. Avocado allow for the absorption of other carotenoids especially beta-carotene and lycopene, which are essential for heart health.

source :
1. www.webmd.com
2. www.health.com
3. www.americanheart.org
4. www.about.com

Obesity and heart transplantation

Being obese should not deny a patient having heart transplantation, say a lecture presented during the 56th Annual Scientific Session of the American College of Cardiology.

Guidelines for listing candidates for heart transplant were recently revised to include obesity ( BMI greater than 30kg/m2) as a potential reason for denial. However, the supporting evidence for the recommendation was very weak, so that researchers from the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York examined if there was indeed a link between pre-heart transplant BMI and post-transplant survival using data from United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS).

In this study, experts looked at more than 18000 first-time adult transplant recipients between 1995 and 2005. Subjects were divided into standard BMI categories: underweight, normal, overweight, obese, severely obese and morbidly obese.

Findings from the study showed that while the normal weight patients had the best survival (10.1 years), there was no statistical difference in the survival after transplantation among obese patients (9.6 years) and among the less severely overweight patients (9.7 years).

The findings, according to Dr. Mark Russo, lead researcher of the study, do not support the recommendation, but that, to the contrary, it shows that obese patients do not face an increased risk of death after transplantation.

all copied from http://ilovemyhealth.blogspot.com

Coronary Heart Disease

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a narrowing of the small blood vessels that supply blood and oxygen to the heart. CHD is also called coronary artery disease.

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Back to TopAlternative Names

Coronary artery disease; Arteriosclerotic heart disease; CHD; CAD

Back to TopCauses

Coronary heart disease is usually caused by a condition called atherosclerosis, which occurs when fatty material and a substance called plaque builds up on the walls of your arteries. This causes them to get narrow. As the coronary arteries narrow, blood flow to the heart can slow down or stop, causing chest pain (stable angina), shortness of breath, heart attack, and other symptoms.

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the leading cause of death in the United States for men and women. According to the American Heart Association, more than 15 million people have some form of the condition.

Men in their 40s have a higher risk of CHD than women. But, as women get older, their risk increases so that it is almost equal to a man's risk. See: Heart disease and women

Many things increase your risk for CHD. Bad genes (heredity) can increase your risk. You're more likely to develop the condition if someone in your family has had it -- especially if they had it before age 50. Your risk for CHD goes up the older you get.

The following factors also increase your risk of CHD:

• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• High LDL "bad" cholesterol
• Low HDL "good" cholesterol
• Menopause
• Not getting enough physical activity or exercise
• Obesity
• Smoking

Higher-than-normal levels of inflammation-related substances may also increase your risk for a heart attack. Such substances include C-reactive protein and fibrinogen. Increased levels of a chemical called homocysteine, an amino acid, are also linked to an increased risk of a heart attack.

Back to TopSymptoms

Symptoms may be very noticeable, but sometimes you can have the disease and not have any symptoms.

Chest pain or discomfort (angina) is the most common symptom. You feel this pain when the heart is not getting enough blood or oxygen. How bad the pain is varies from person to person.

There are two main types of chest pain:

• Atypical chest pain -- often sharp and comes and goes. You can feel it in your left chest, abdomen, back, or arm. It is unrelated to exercise and not relieved by rest or a medicine called nitroglycerin. Atypical chest pain is more common in women.
• Typical chest pain -- feels heavy or like someone is squeezing you. You feel it under your breast bone (sternum). The pain usually occurs with activity or emotion, and goes away with rest or a medicine called nitroglycerin.

Adults with typical chest pain have a higher risk of CHD than those with atypical chest pain.

Other symptoms include:

• Shortness of breath
• Heart attack -- in some cases, the first sign of CHD is a heart attack

Back to TopSigns and Tests »

Many tests help diagnose CHD. Usually, your doctor will order more than one test before making a definite diagnosis.

Tests may include:

• Electrocardiogram (ECG)
• Exercise stress test
• Echocardiogram
• Nuclear scan
• Coronary angiography/arteriography
• Electron-beam computed tomography (EBCT) to look for calcium in the lining of the arteries -- the more calcium, the higher your chance for CHD
• Coronary CT angiography
• Magnetic resonance angiography

In-Depth Diagnosis »

Back to TopTreatment

Treatment depends on your symptoms and how severe the disease is.

If you have coronary artery disease that does not cause symptoms, you can be treated with either medicine or angioplasty with stenting. Recent studies show that medicine and angioplasty with stenting have equal benefits. Angioplasty with stenting does not help you live longer, but it can reduce angina or other symptoms of CHD.

Angioplasty with stenting, however, can be a life-saving procedure if you are having a heart attack.

Medications used to treat CHD include:

• ACE inhibitors to lower blood pressure
• Blood thinners (antiplatelet drugs) to reduce your risk of blood clots
• Beta-blockers to lower heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen use by the heart
• Calcium channel blockers to relax arteries, lowering blood pressure and reducing strain on the heart
• Diuretics to lower blood pressure
• Nitrates (such as nitroglycerin) to stop chest pain and improve blood supply to the heart
• Statins to lower cholesterol

Procedures to treat and diagnose CHD are called percutaneous coronary interventions, or PCIs. Angioplasty and stenting are types of PCIs. Other types include:

• Coronary atherectomy
• Coronary radiation implant or coronary brachytherapy

Coronary brachytherapy delivers radiation into the coronary arteries. This treatment is only for patients who have had a stent-related problems.

Surgeries used to treat CHD include:

• Coronary artery bypass surgery
• Minimally invasive heart surgery

Lifestyle changes are very important. Your doctor may tell you to:

• Avoid or reduce the amount of salt (sodium) you eat
• Eat a heart healthy diet -- one that is low in saturated fats, cholesterol, and trans fat
• Get regular exercise and maintain a healthy weight
• Keep your blood sugar strictly under control if you have diabetes
• Stop smoking

Back to TopExpectations (prognosis)

Everyone recovers differently. Some people can maintain a healthy life by changing their diet, stopping smoking, and taking medications exactly as the doctor prescribes. Others may need medical procedures such as angioplasty or surgery.

Although everyone is different, early detection of CHD generally results in a better outcome.

Back to TopComplications

• Heart attack
• Heart failure
• Unstable angina
• Sudden death

Back to TopCalling Your Health Care Provider

If you have any of the risk factors for CHD, set up an appointment with your doctor to discuss prevention and possible treatment.

If you have angina, shortness of breath, or symptoms of a heart attack, immediately contact your health care provider, call the local emergency number (such as 911), or go to the emergency room.

Back to TopPrevention

See your health care provider regularly. Tips for preventing CHD or lowering your risk of the disease:

• Avoid or reduce stress as best as you can.
• Don't smoke.
• Eat well-balanced meals that are low in fat and cholesterol and include several daily servings of fruits and vegetables.
• Get regular exercise. If your weight is considered normal, get at least 30 minutes of exercise every day. If you are overweight or obese, experts say you should get 60 to 90 minutes of exercise every day.
• Keep your blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol under control.

Moderate amounts of alcohol (1 glass a day for women, 2 for men) may reduce your risk of cardiovascular problems. However, drinking larger amounts does more harm than good.

If you have one or more risk factors for coronary heart disease, talk to your doctor about possibly taking an aspirin a day to help prevent a heart attack or stroke. Low-dose aspirin therapy may be prescribed if the benefit is likely to outweigh the risk of gastrointestinal side effects.

New guidelines no longer recommend hormone replacement therapy, vitamins E or C, antioxidants, or folic acid to prevent heart disease.

Back to TopReferences »

Mosca L, Banka CL, Benjamin EJ, et al. Evidence-Based Guidelines for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention in Women: 2007 Update. Circulation. 2007; Published online before print February 19, 2007.

Smith SC Jr, Allen J, Blair SN, et al. AHA/ACC guidelines for secondary prevention for patients with coronary and other atherosclerotic vascular disease: 2006 update: endorsed by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Circulation. 2006 May 16;113(19):2363-72. Erratum in: Circulation. 2006 Jun 6;113(22):e847.

Boden WE, O'rourke RA, Teo KK, et al. Optimal Medical Therapy with or without PCI for Stable Coronary Disease. N Engl J Med. 2007 Mar 26; [Epub ahead of print].

American Heart Association. Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics — 2007 Update. Dallas, Texas: American Heart Association; 2007.