SURESH U VATAKETHIL asked:


Heart Disease in Women: Women and Heart Disease

The risk of heart disease in women increases with age. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in women over 40 years old, especially after menopause. Menopause is a normal stage in a woman’s life; it comprises any of the changes a woman experiences either before or after she stops menstruating. As menopause nears, the ovaries gradually produce less estrogen (a female hormone), causing changes in the menstrual cycle and other physical changes. Every year, more than 500,000 U.S. women die of heart disease. This translates to approximately one death every minute.

Heart disease in women is preventable as per the latest guidelines from the American Heart Association. Reason to understand the cause of heart disease in women could not be stressed enough. Heart disease kills 1 in 3 American women, but it doesn’t have to be that way. 60% of U.S. women now know that heart disease is their No. 1 health threat.

Prevention is better than cure. Heart disease in women is preventable with a disease prevention strategy. The knowledge of heart disease occurs to a person when it is too late.

Here are some guide lines for a simple prevention plan for heart disease in women:

Women aged 20 and older should see a doctor to find out their heart disease risk.

Chnaces are that one in 10 women will learn that there is no real risk of heart disease. These women should continue their heart-healthy lifestyles.

Women who are at risk of heart disease, should think of preventing heart disease and stroke. These women must stop smoking, adopt a heart-healthy diet, get at least 30 minutes a day of exercise, and watch their weight. And under a medical supervision, some of these women may need blood pressure medications, cholesterol-lowering therapy, or regular aspirin.

Women who already have some existing condition making it more likely to suffer from heart disease or stroke, should additionaly to taking the measures advised above, go after some aggressive medical treatments or rehab.

Depression is very common in women with heart disease. All women with heart disease should be evaluated for depression.

Women should exercise a minimum of 30 minutes a day, and for those women who want to lose weight, 60 to 90 minutes of daily exercise is recommended.

The risk of heart disease in women is increased by activities such as, diabetes and obesity, smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol level and inactivity.

Heart disease in women though is on the increase, can be altered through some variations in life style. Clinical experience suggest the following general guidelines for preventing heart disease:

- Maintain blood pressure of less than 140/90 mmHg (120/80 is optimal)

- Maintain blood glucose of 80-120 mg/dL (less than 100 is optimal)

- Maintain total cholesterol of less than 200 mg/dL (and not less than 160) and LDL (low-density lipoprotein) of less than 130 mg/dL (less than 100 is optimal)

- Exercise regularly (30-60 minutes of aerobic exercise three to five times weekly is optimal).

However, there are certain factors that cannot be influenced to prevent heart disease in women. Factors such as age, family history and menopause cannot be controlled or prevented.

But there are other factors that could be influenced, through exercising the right option. This could prevent death from heart disease in women. As indicated earlier, introducing some changes to our life style, and carrying a positive out look towards the meaning and purpose of life, women can fight this terrible disease and live more healthier and meaningful lives. Meditation, yoga, prayers and religous activities can have huge impacts on our life and provide the necessary inner strength to cope with the pain and pressure of heart disease.

Diabetes and high cholesterol, homocysteine, and blood pressure can be improved through diet, exercise, medication, and supplements. High C-reactive protein (CRP), an inflammatory biomarker, may help to identify those who would benefit from anti-inflammatory intervention. Diet, lifestyle changes, positive adaptation to stress, and supplements can assist in weight loss and help decrease stress. Quitting smoking will also reduce risk of heart disease in women. The scientific data strongly suggest that modification of these multiple risk factors can help to lessen heart disease risk and thus total mortality in women.



Ruben

Jonathon Hardcastle asked:


Everyone has suffered from stress at least once. If you remember your palms becoming sweaty before an interview, experiencing headaches when thinking of your last work problem, or having stomach disorders because your test exams are approaching, these can be categorized as instances of stress related to physical malfunctions that have caused you to loose sleep and reduced your performance levels.

Regardless of the age group one belongs, stress is considered today to have an extremely dramatic impact on the human immune system. That is because stressful situations that have and extensive duration affect the hormones of the human body, which in turn direct affect the human immune system. Cases of chronic constipation, migraines, acne breakouts, upper respiration infections, colds, ulcers, and even more serious health problems like diabetes, heart diseases, and certain types of cancers, can be linked, according to scientists, to prolonged periods of stress.

But do not get despaired. Although stress cannot be eliminated, social scientists, psychologists, and doctors, agree that stress can be controlled and people that are able to give themselves another chance can live healthier lives.

Exercise: Known for its tension relieving outcomes, a steady exercise problem can help people reduce their stress levels. A calm evening walk or a more dynamic type of exercise, like an aerobic class, can help a stressed individual get rid of the tension and the anxiety that are caused by stress.

Sleep: Give your body and mind the opportunity to rejuvenate naturally during sleep. Although people under stress experience difficulties in sleeping the appropriate hours needed, experts support that sticking with a steady sleeping plan and going to bed every night around the same time, avoiding heavy food or caffeine drinks, can help a person fall asleep and lower his stress levels.

Breath: Learn how to breathe properly and practice it frequently. Deep breathing exercises can help the brain and body reconsider the parameters of a stressful situation and readjust to the experience. Inhale air from the nose and exhale it from the mouth after holding it for five seconds. In the meantime clear your mind and concentrate on a pleasant thought.

Avoid: Try to avoid consuming caffeine substances and never take it out on yourself. Caffeine can prolong the stress period and since it is a stimulator you can experience problems in sleeping or breathing. Moreover, by blaming yourself and your luck you are not concentrating on solving an issue but rather on prolonging the distress and the anxiety you feel.

Don’t panic: Although it is common to let your feelings go wild when upset, try to focus on what you feel and act as if that was your main problem so as to solve it. Listening to music, breathing properly, writing a journal, exercising, going out, or doing whatever you think is appropriate can put you in a better mood.

Talk: People surrounding you are not indifferent to your problems. Stop treating them as if they were. Speak about what worries you and ask for their help. Even the fact that someone will listen and offer another perspective can be enough for you to see another ankle of the issue and work towards its solution.



Jane

Jerry Cahill asked:


The physical dedication and focus that are involved in a successful aerobics class is enhanced by having the right comfortable clothing to exercise in. Many have witnessed that a new touch of style has developed in conjunction with the new health conscious crowd. It may cost a little more to exercise in aerobics clothing made of premium materials but it can be well worth it in order to make your exercises more comfortable and doable. You could even make a goal oriented incentive program in which a predetermined number of successful workouts results in a reward of buying yourself new expensive aerobic clothing. This type of incentive may help you to more easily reach your exercise goals and move on to higher levels of fitness.

Comfort is the new key to workouts. If you have not done aerobic workouts you may not be aware of the role comfortable clothing plays in successful workouts. Aerobic exercise involves constant movements which may take a toll on your body if your clothing is not right.

Some clothing is actually approved for aerobics and can often be found in sporting good stores or on the internet. The first test in choosing aerobic clothing is to touch it to get a sense of how it may feel to you. This test is not meant to lessen internet shopping but in some cases first hand experience with the clothing may be your best guide in making a good purchase. Those with more clothing knowledge may have better internet shopping experiences. Remember overly cute or clever clothing designs may create problems for demanding workouts. You should take your workouts more slowly in new clothing to be sure it works for you. If you do a lot of flexibility exercises you should focus on soft stretchy material for your clothing.

If your clothing is expensive, stylish and uncomfortable you may soon grow tired of aerobic workouts. You should try to find a balance between comfortable and affordable clothing. A good source of clothing information could be your aerobics instructor. They have preferences for quality items and know where to get a bargain. Keep an open mind. If you have to pay a little extra it may provide lasting benefits you get from comfortable completions of your workouts. If the aerobic workout clothes help you to avoid exercise discomfort than you have achieved your goal.

The bridge for most people is the balance between clothing costs and clothing comfort.

The right niche shopping can help you find the right gear at affordable prices. Also remember that you can get exercise incentives by buying yourself some higher priced clothing, especially if it offers exceptional comfort. This will help you to have something to show for the hard work you are putting into your exercise program for better health and a secure feeling of a longer life. Aerobic exercises can make you look and feel like a winner.



Nathan

Richard Adams asked:


Aerobics has been the traditional form of working out for so many years that now many people are trying to get away from it because they are either bored of it or think these fad exercises are more effective. Of course change is very important in an exercise regime because the moment you get bored with your exercise routine you have no motivation to do it and therefore you stop working out eventually. There are so many different types of aerobic activities today to choose from that you are bound to find one you like and even several you can alternate between.

Aerobic activity which is integrated into a workout class is perhaps one of the best ways to experience aerobics. When you are in a class with others who are feeling just as nervous and reluctant as you this can actually increase your motivation and with an instructor guiding you there is no time to back out once the class has started. If you find you get started and then quit after only a few minutes than taking a class would be great for you.

Some of the benefits aerobic activity can produce for you include:

Increased heart rate Enhances your body’s energy levels and delivers more oxygen to the muscles Heart beats faster and increases the blood flow to your muscles and then back to your lungs

Aerobics literally means “with oxygen” and your body’s aerobic system is you heart, lungs and blood vessels. The main benefit of aerobic activity is how well your body can deliver oxygen to your muscles and use it for energy. Therefore aerobic activity increases your ability to transport and take in that oxygen to ultimately increase your cardio abilities.

A good aerobic activity such as a step class or even just plain cardio can help you live a longer and healthier life. The key to any aerobic activity is making it fun for yourself because these benefits are something we all need to experience in our lives. To get the best results of any aerobic activity is to participate with moderate to low intensity levels in short durations are first and then increase your durations, not your intensity, as you feel yourself progressing. Keeping a lower workout intensity is the key way to see the wieght loss results you are looking for.

The best way to stay motivated during any type of aerobic activity is to listen to your favorite music, educational books on tape and try to watch your favorite televisions shows to keep your mind occupied before it tries to slow you down. You will find with nothing to distract you, the longer you work out the easier it will become to want to quit early but by listening to music or watching television your mind is focussed on something else.

Aerobics can actually increase your mood, make you feel more energized, helps you maintain your weight and even keep your blood sugar low. With so many different benefits it is hard to understand why people do not want to participate in aerobics. With so many negative influences in our society today when all it takes is a short duration of an aerobic exercise to improve your fitness levels, maintan your weight and more, why not?

Check out your gym or even the workout DVDs you can buy for home and find one you think you will enjoy doing on a regular basis of up to 4 times per week but no less than 3 times a week. Once you have a routine down you will find it much easier to stick with and even enjoy.



Rick