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Mediterranean Diet - A Heart Healthy Diet
[Health-and-Fitness:Nutrition] Populations in Greece and Southern Italy enjoy lesser heart disease, diabetes mellitus, cancer and several other chronic diseases, when compared to Americans. A common factor linking these populations appear to be their diet - now popularly known as the Mediterranean diet. Incorporating elements of this diet can greatly enhance our health, especially heart health.

Fish Oil Supplementation - Heart Protective
[Health-and-Fitness:Heart-Disease] The heart protective effects of omega-3 fatty acids are very compelling. These essential polyunsaturated fatty acids are abundant in fish and certain vegetables and nuts. People at a high risk of developing heart disease or who have established heart disease, will benefit from supplementing their diet with fish oil capsules.

Low Testosterone Levels - A Marker For Increased Cardiovascular Mortality
[Health-and-Fitness:Heart-Disease] Testosterone is a predominantly male hormone produced by the testis and adrenals. It is responsible for libido in both sexes and the production of sperms in the male. It is also associated with increased energy, production of red cells and prevention of osteoporosis. Testosterone levels normally decline with age, with older men having a much lower levels than their younger counterparts. Low testosterone levels have been linked to an increased incidence of cardiovascular disease and mortality, and death from all causes. There is no published research on whether taking supplemental testosterone will reduce cardiovascular disease and death.

The Heart Un-Healthy Western Diet
[Health-and-Fitness:Heart-Disease] The industrialized American diet or the Western diet is full of heart unhealthy ingredients. This article exposes the dangerous but definite association between this 'meat-sweet' diet and several chronic diseases like osteoporosis, diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular disease.

Heart Healthy Prudent Diet
[Health-and-Fitness:Heart-Disease] The American diet is heart unhealthy. Decreasing red meat and fried foods and increasing fruits, vegetables, cereals, grains, nuts, olive oil, fish and red wine in your diet can greatly diminish not only cardiovascular diseases, but also many chronic illnesses such as osteoporosis, diabeters and cancer.

The Normal and Abnormal Heart
[Health-and-Fitness:Heart-Disease] The normal heart is a strong, muscular pump that continuously pumps about 2000 gallons of blood through the circulatory system each day. It does so by beating about 100,000 times. per day. It is about the size of your fist.

Metabolic Syndrome - The Silent Heart Epidemic
[Health-and-Fitness:Heart-Disease] Metabolic Syndrome represents a group of markers that increases your risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease and other pathologic states. People with the metabolic syndrome, have one and a half to three times the risk of getting cardiovascular disease compared to otherwise normal people. If there is associated diabetes, the risk goes up many times more. It is estimated by the American Heart Association, that 50 million American adults have it, and many of them don't even know it. It is a true "silent epidemic." Unfortunately, an alarming number of children also suffer from this syndrome.

Hormone Supplementation for Heart Health - Good or Bad?
[Health-and-Fitness:Heart-Disease] Heart disease is the number one killer of both men and women in American and in most parts of the world. Female hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has been used in the recent past for reducing the risk of heart attacks and cutting down the risk of death in women with established heart disease. However, new data provides compelling evidence that HRT may actually make heart disease worse in women. On the other hand, since men suffer from earlier heart disease than women, it has been postulated that the male hormone, testosterone may increase the risk of heart disease. As a result, andropause, the male equivalent of menopause, has not been treated with male hormone replacement therapy, for heart disease prevention. Recent studies suggest that male hormone supplementation may be heart protective.

Lesser Known Heart Healthy Habits
[Health-and-Fitness:Heart-Disease] Establishing a life filled with good habits can enhance your heart health. And it is never too late.

OTC Heart Supplements- Hope or Hype?
[Health-and-Fitness:Heart-Disease] Over the counter ( non-prescription ) heart supplements are popular. Some may offer some benefit, while others, although popular, have no scientific data supporting their claims.

Fruits and Vegetables - Heart Protective
[Health-and-Fitness:Heart-Disease] Higher consumption of fruits and vegetables has been associated with improved cardiovascular outcomes. Health protective Phytochemicals in whole foods such as fruits and vegetables appear to have additive and synergistic effects, leading to a cardiovascular protection. This benefit unfortunately does not appear to work with pills or extracts.

Physical Activity - Good for Your Heart
[Health-and-Fitness:Heart-Disease] Regular physical exercised is a critical human health behavior. Properly incorporated into daily life, it leads to a reduction in a host of chronic diseases, especially cardiovascular diseases and premature death.

Diabetes Mellitus - A Cardiovascular Disease
[Health-and-Fitness:Diabetes] Most people with diabetes have a two to three fold higher risk of cardiovascular complications like heart attack and stroke. Aspirin, cholesterol lowering drugs statins and a certain class of angiotensin blocking high blood pressure medications greatly reduce premature cardiovascular complications including death in this population.

High Blood Pressure - The Silent Heart Killer
[Health-and-Fitness:Heart-Disease] High blood pressure is very common. It is often unrecognized and often under treated. Complications include heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, heart failure and blindness. Treatment greatly reduces the risk of getting complications or dying prematurely.

Obesity and Heart Disease - A Negative Association
[Health-and-Fitness:Heart-Disease] Obesity is a growing problem in the United States. Obesity is associated with high blood pressure, diabetes, dyslipedemia and several cancers. Several scientific studies have confirmed the negative association of obesity and heart disease. Obese people have more heart attacks and are more likely to die prematurely of heart disease. The good news is that even a modest decrease in weight is cardio-protective.

Cholesterol and Heart Disease - The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
[Health-and-Fitness:Heart-Disease] Heart disease remains the leading killer of men and women in the United States. Each year, 1,200,000 people suffer a coronary heart attack, and about 40% of them die. An American dies of a coronary event roughly every 65 seconds. Abnormal cholesterol, besides smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity and physical inactivity, remains one of the main modifiable risk factors for coronary heart disease.

Smoking - Dangerous for your Heart
[Health-and-Fitness:Quit-Smoking] Smoking is the number one cause of premature heart disease and death in America. Besides accounting for almost 30 percent of all coronary heart disease deaths, smokers also experience a horde of other medical problems including lung diseases and many cancers. The body starts to repair itself soon after smoking is stopped, and the risk of most cardiovascular diseases normalizes over a period of several years.

Antioxidant Vitamins for Heart Disease Prevention - Helpful or Harmful?
[Health-and-Fitness:Heart-Disease] Although several international scientific studies have found a favorable relationship between antioxidant vitamins and heart diseaase, a recent (February 2007) meta-analysis published in the Journal of the American Medical Association suggests that supplemental intake of Vitamin A, betacarotene and Vitamin E may be harmful for the heart.

Sleep Disorders and Cardiovasular Disease - A Close Link
[Health-and-Fitness:Heart-Disease] Adequate and proper sleep is necessary for an optimal daytime functioning and a healthy and productive life. Short term lack of sleep can cause daytime tiredness, lack of energy, difficulty concentrating and irritability. Chronic sleep deprivation, however, induces a myriad of abnormal physiologic changes that lead to cardiovascular disease, diabetes and premature death.

Depression and Heart Disease - A Dangerous Combination
[Health-and-Fitness:Depression] Depression incites a host of deleterious psychological and physiological changes in our bodies, that eventually precipitate pathological changes in our cardiovascular system. A number of studies have demonstrated a close relationship between depression and increased incidence of and complications, including death, in patients with coronary heart disease.

Aspirin - Beneficial for Your Heart
[Health-and-Fitness:Heart-Disease] The common household aspirin is a remarkable cardiovascular drug. Daily use can significantly decrease your risk of getting a heart attack or a stroke.

Fish - Heart Food
[Health-and-Fitness:Heart-Disease] Large-scale epidemiological studies and clinical trials suggest that people at risk for coronary heart disease benefit from consuming omega-3 fatty acids from plants and marine sources. The American Heart Association's dietary guidelines have recommended that healthy adults eat at least two servings of fish per week, due their high content of omega-3 fatty acids.

Red Wine Is Heart Healthy
[Health-and-Fitness:Heart-Disease] Several scientific studies have shown that drinking red wine in moderation reduces the risk of getting a heart attack or a stroke. These benefits appear to be related to the alcohol and antioxidant content of the red wine.

Music - Medicine For The Heart
[Health-and-Fitness:Heart-Disease] Music is not only soothing but may have many beneficial health effects. Scientific data suggests that slow tempo music may be good for your heart.

Meditation - Heart Soother And Healer
[Health-and-Fitness:Heart-Disease] Meditation can benefit both the psychological and spiritual health. Increasing scientific evidence is now proving that it has profound beneficial effects on the cardiovascular health.

Dark Chocolate - Good For Your Heart
[Health-and-Fitness:Heart-Disease] Dark chocolate is rich in natural flavonoids. These powerful antioxidants exert a beneficial effect on the blood vessels and the heart.

Air Pollution - Dangerous For Your Heart
[Health-and-Fitness:Heart-Disease] Small particulate matter in the air is being increasingly linked to the development and worsening of cardiovascular disease.

Food Allergy - A Common Health Problem
[Health-and-Fitness:Allergies] Food allergies and food intolerance are a common health problem. Food allergy can cause anaphylaxis, which can sometimes be fatal.

Tea - A Heart Friendly Beverage
[Health-and-Fitness:Heart-Disease] Tea is the most consumed beverage in the world, after water. Tea consumption has been shown to have multiple beneficial effects on health.

Gum Disease and Heart Disease - A Strong Connection
[Health-and-Fitness:Heart-Disease] Recent data has shown a striking association between gum and tooth disease and coronary heart disease.

A Laugh A Day Can Keep The Doctor Away!
[Health-and-Fitness:Alternative] Recent scientific data is confirming the centuries old adage that laughter is good for your health.

Nuts for Heart Protection
[Health-and-Fitness:Heart-Disease] Scientific evidence has shown that eating a handful of a variety of nuts five days a week can lower heart attacks by as much as 50 percent.