1/30/09

Normal Blood Pressure Range Explained

Blood pressure is the force applied to the walls of the blood vessels, arteries and veins when the heart pumps blood around the body. Blood pressure, which is counted in millimeters of mercury, has two separate readings. The systolic reading measures the blood pressure when the heart is beating or contracting.  The diastolic reading is the measure of pressure between contractions, and is always a lower figure.

In the past a normal blood pressure range was considered less than 130/85 and more than 90/60, but the parameters have changed in the past few years. Now a consistent reading of 120/80 or more is considered a sign of prehypertension, a warning to change your habits and lower your blood pressure. The new normal blood pressure range is between 90/60 and 119/79.

Lower Readings

A blood pressure measurement of 90/60 is considered borderline low. A reading of 60/40 is too low and medical treatment is required to correct it.  If a person's blood pressure measures as little as 50/33 they are in danger of permanent damage to the internal organs because oxygen and nutrients cannot get to them.  Extremely low blood pressure or hypotension can cause coma or death. Very young children and athletes generally have measurements at the lower end of the normal blood pressure range.

Higher Readings

If your blood pressure readings are consistently between 120/80 and 140/90 you do not have hypertension, but you could be headed in that direction if you do not change your ways. A reading of 120/80 is now at the top of the normal blood pressure range. A normal blood pressure reading should ideally be less than 120/80 so if yours is higher you should be doing more exercise eat less junk food and cut down on salt, sugar, alcohol, nicotine and saturated fat.

If your blood pressure reading is between 140/90 and 160/100 you have stage one hypertension. You should try to amend your lifestyle and if that isn't enough to get you down to a normal blood pressure range then perhaps you should ask your doctor about prescription medication.

If your blood pressure exceeds 160/100 you definitely require medication to correct the problem because you are at very high risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, aneurysm or renal failure. Bear in mind that severe hypertension puts excessive tension on the heart and can cause the blood vessels in major organs to burst open. Severe hypertension can and does kill people every day.

Regular Testing


Regular blood pressure testing is very important for several reasons. First, one test is not going to be enough to determine if your measurements are within the normal blood pressure range. Everybody's blood pressure changes quite radically according to how relaxed they feel and what they happen to be doing. Several tests are needed to determine a person's average blood pressure.

Furthermore, it is only through regular testing that you can determine whether your blood pressure is lower or higher than it should be. Therefore you should be getting regular tests from your health care provider. Alternatively you could purchase a home monitor so that you can test to see if your measurements are within the normal blood pressure range as and when you wish to.

For more information please visit my Dangerous High Blood Pressure Website.

1/28/09

What Are the Best High Blood Pressure Remedies?

If you've got hypertension, you need all the information you can get about how to lower your high blood pressure. Fortunately, there are many effective remedies for high blood pressure, both including and excluding drugs. This article will take a look at a few of the most popular remedies, but remember: high blood pressure is the number one predictor of heart attack and stroke, and it can also be a principal cause of kidney disease. In other words, anything you can do to lower your blood pressure is good, but if you have high blood pressure or suspect that you do, you must consult your doctor about the best course of treatment, and also regularly monitor your blood pressure to best insure continued health.

Blood Pressure and Weight

Probably the number one high blood pressure remedy is to establish and maintain a healthy weight for your age and body type. Why? Well, for starters, each pound of body weight you add also increases the length of your circulatory system by as much as 200 miles! That's a lot of extra capillaries for your heart to pump blood through. Reducing body weight can, over time and with exercise, allow your body to reabsorb much of that extra tissue, including the blood capillaries. If you have high blood pressure, reducing your weight to a healthy level—and keep it there—is one of the best things you can do for yourself.

Blood Pressure And Diet

Eating a diet low in transfats and cholesterol will help keep your circulatory system a lot cleaner and lead to lowering your blood pressure. It will also decrease your chances of heart attack or other coronary diseases. Also, reducing your salt intake is an important remedy for high blood pressure. Increasing your potassium and calcium levels by eating foods like bananas and other fresh fruits, nuts, and vegetables has been shown to be a positive impact your blood pressure. Garlic is another beneficial spice to add to your diet, and eating beans of all kinds gives your body additional fiber and non-fatty proteins.

Blood Pressure and Smoking

It should go without saying: if you smoke and you have high blood pressure, it's kind of like running around in a lightning storm while holding a golf club over your head. Smoking causes the blood vessels to constrict; how can that possibly be good for you if you already have high blood pressure? Stop smoking, and the sooner the better! The beneficial effects for your system will begin almost immediately.

For more information please visit my Dangerous High Blood Pressure Website.

What Are the Signs of High Blood Pressure?

The trouble with high blood pressure, or hypertension, is that often it has no symptoms. You could be feeling fine, and still have high blood pressure. The only way to be certain of accurately monitoring your blood pressure is by having it checked regularly, either at home or by a healthcare provider. By the way, a word of advice: avoid the "self-service" blood pressure machines often found in pharmacies and other public places; they can be very inaccurate. However, it is important to get your blood pressure checked regularly, and to apply high blood pressure remedies if your blood pressure is outside a normal range for your age, body type, and general physical condition.

The High Blood Pressure Symptoms

Because so many people with high blood pressure have few signs, and because high blood pressure can cause so many serious complications, ranging from heart attack to stroke to kidney disease, high blood pressure is sometimes called "the silent killer." However, hypertension sufferers sometimes exhibit headaches, dizziness, blurred vision, or nausea. The problem is, the signs of high blood pressure tend to be non-specific; they could be caused by several other conditions. By the time high blood pressure causes noticeable signs, organ or tissue damage has often anormally occurred. That is exactly why it is so important to have your blood pressure monitored regularly. Only by knowing your blood pressure can you take the necessary steps to reduce hypertension and prevent more serious, often irreversible health complications.

How Is Blood Pressure Measured?

The most accurate method for measuring blood pressure is by using a device called a sphygmomanometer. This is an inflatable cuff, attached to a scale measured by a column of mercury. The cuff is placed around your arm, usually about the same level as your heart, and inflated until the artery in your arm is squeezed shut. The observer then places a stethoscope over your arm below the cuff, over the artery, and begins to slowly relieves the pressure in the cuff. The column of mercury is observed, and the point at which the blood begins moving through the artery again is noted. This number is your systolic blood pressure. Pressure continues to be slowly relieved, until the observer can no longer hear the sound of the blood moving through the artery because of its return to full volume. This reading is your diastolic blood pressure. The most definitive sign of high blood pressure is a systolic reading at or above 140, and a diastolic reading at or above 90. If your blood pressure falls into this category, heed the signs. High blood pressure should be treated and carefully monitored to maintain good health.

For more information please visit my Dangerous High Blood Pressure Website.

The Best High Blood Pressure Treatment: Lifestyle Changes

High blood pressure is an affliction that already affects millions of people around the world, and which many more are being diagnosed with every day. If you are one of the people out there who have to deal with high blood pressure, then you know firsthand just how difficult and frustrating it can be.

To ensure that you are in the best of health and that your high blood pressure is not going to get the better of you, there are a few steps that you will need to take in terms of treatment. Right at the very first signs of high blood pressure you should be doing something about it.

So what is the best high blood pressure treatment? Well it really all depends on your particular condition, how severe it is and what your doctor thinks is going to be best treatment for you. However, out of all the different high blood pressure treatment options today, the most successful of all has been lifestyle changes.

Change Your Life

The first thing that you should do if you want the best high blood pressure treatment is to make some serious changes in your life. Chances are that you are not eating properly, and you should be eating six smaller sized meals a day, full of protein and vitamins. You should be eating lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, especially leafy green vegetables which are rich in antioxidants.

You should also increase the amount of fresh water that you are consuming on a daily basis. It is surprising how many people are not aware of the amount of water that should be drunk in a day. You should be drinking at least six to eight glasses of water a day, and if you still feel thirsty then drink even more.

Exercise is also incredibly important, and will be a major part of your high blood pressure treatment. You should be getting lots of regular exercise, at least a half an hour for three days a week, and this is the bare minimum. Everyone thinks that their life is too busy for exercise, but you can fit in into your life no matter how busy you may be, as long as you are willing to work at it.

This is by far the best high blood pressure treatment that you can try, and best of all you can – and should – stay on it for the rest of your life.

For more information please visit my Dangerous High Blood Pressure Website.

Some Tips On How To Deal With High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure is a very common condition, one that can be manageable as long as you are educated and aware of what is involved here and what steps need to be taken in terms of treatment. First thing is first however, and that is to find out more about high blood pressure and what this condition is all about.

What it is

When blood pushes against the artery wall harder than normal, this is when high blood pressure develops. This condition can range from being mild where it would not be necessarily causing any problems to being so severe that it is life threatening. About one in three adults is suffering from high blood pressure right now, and more are getting diagnosed with it all the time.

How to Deal With it

Before you even get diagnosed with high blood pressure or get put on a high blood pressure diet, it is important that you keep an eye on your blood pressure numbers. You should start off treating your blood pressure problem by making some lifestyle changes, including to your diet and exercise regime.

You need to be eating all the right foods, including leafy green vegetables and ripe fruits. You also want to be eating enough whole grain breads and cereals, and drinking enough water to keep yourself hydrated. Six to eight glasses a day is usually enough, but if you are exercising more than normal or you find that you are feeling extra thirsty, drink even more.

It will also be important that you are aware of the possible factors that could be contributing to your blood pressure problem. If you can find out the main cause of your problem, you may be able to deal with it with at the source and get rid of the problem.

There are various different factors that could be causing your blood pressure to be high, but most likely it will be age, diet, excessive alcohol consumption, lack of exercise, obesity, stress, or sleep apnea, just to name a few. You will want to get your doctor to test you for any of these things and also do a general physical on you, just to make sure that you are in good health.

You can deal with high blood pressure and you do not have to let it control your life, as long as you take the necessary steps in terms of treatment and always keep yourself as healthy as possible.

For more information please visit my Dangerous High Blood Pressure Website.

1/26/09

Why Losing Weight is Good

There is a great benefit acquired from losing weight. Though losing weight is not easy, the long term effects brought by it would probably be of help to anyone considering to shed those unwanted and unhealthy pounds.

The following are a few of the remarkable advantages from losing those excess weight.

Weight loss prevents high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke

That is a three in one benefit from losing weight. It is a fact that heart disease and stroke are one of the primary reasons for disability and death in both men and women in the US. People who are overweight have a higher risk to have high levels of cholesterol in their blood stream as well as triglycerides (also known as blood fat).

Angina, one type of heart disease, could cause chest pains as well as a decrease in the oxygen pumped to the heart.

Sudden death also occurs from heart disease and stroke, and usually this strikes with very little warning, signs and symptoms.

It is a fact that by decreasing your weight by a mere five to ten percent, this could positively decrease the chances of you having or developing heart disease or a stroke. Plus, how your heart functions would also improve as well as your blood pressure, cholesterol and triglyceride count will decrease.

Weight loss prevents type 2 diabetes

Diabetes puts in jeopardy one’s life as well as how one leads his or her life because of the complications that result from having it. Both types of diabetes, type one and type two are linked with being overweight. To those who already have diabetes, regular exercise and losing weight could help in controlling your blood sugar levels as well as the medication you may be currently taking. Increase your physical activity. You could simply walk, jog or dance. It helps get those blood streams moving as well as lose those unnecessary pounds.

Weight loss helps reduce your risk for cancer

Being overweight is linked with a number of kinds of cancer. Specially for women, the common types of cancer that is associated with being overweight include cancer of the uterus, gallbladder, ovary, breast, and colon. This is not meant to scare you, this is only to keep you informed. Men are at risk too from developing cancer if they are overweight. These include cancer of the colon, prostate and rectum. Extra weight, a diet high in fat and cholesterol should as much as possible be avoided.

Weight loss reduces sleep apnea

Or it could eliminate it all together. Sleep apnea is a condition wherein one could temporarily stop breathing for a brief period and then would continue to snore heavily. Sleep apnea could cause drowsiness or sleepiness during the day and – because of being overweight – could result in heart failure. Shedding those excess pounds could help in eliminating this problem.

Weight loss reduces the pain of osteoarthritis

When one weighs heavily, the joints of his or her knees, hips and lower back would have to exert double – if not triple – effort to carry him or her through out his / her waking, walking and moving life. This could cause tension and stress on these joints. Weight loss decreases the load these joints carry thus decreasing – if not eliminating – the pain of one who has osteoarthritis.

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1/25/09

Rediscovering The Immense Benefits Of Meditation

As the pace of life gets faster and we find ourselves leading ever busier lives so we tend to overlook both our physical and mental health so that we are all now suffering from varying degrees of stress. It is not surprising therefore that we are turning increasingly to time honored practice of meditation.

Because of its proven record of effectiveness, meditation today is being carried out not merely to calm the mind and reduce stress levels but also to deal with a widening range of physical complaints.

Indeed there are numerous physical benefits to be derived from meditation which slows the heart rate and therefore the strain on the heart, lowers levels of the 'stress' hormone cortisol and other chemicals in the body that are linked to stress and reduces the number of free radicals in the body so further helping to lower blood pressure. Meditation also improves the oxygen flow through the lungs to assist breathing and can even increasing levels of DHEA to help slow aging.

As far as its psychological benefits, meditation reduces irritability and anxiety and increases your memory and therefore your ability to learn. Accordingly, it also produces a positive outlook on life giving you a feeling of youthfulness and rejuvenation.

Some of the other noteworthy benefits to be derived from meditation exercises include:

* Producing a total relaxation of not merely the mind and body but also of your psyche.

* Assisting with the healing of a number of illnesses for which there is an association between the physical condition and the emotional state of the patient.

* Creating an opening of the door into the 'inner self' Which allows for the release of our innate creativity.

* Producing an enhancement to our innate self-confidence leading to a stronger and more dominant sense of will power.

* Generating an increase in energy levels which make it easier to face the strains of daily life.

* Generating a greater ability to deal with a variety of addictions and vices ranging from alcohol and tobacco to tranquilizers and narcotics.

And so the list goes on.

However, like anything else meditation can be a powerful force for good if it is used properly but it is also problematic when it is not used properly. The key therefore is to understand precisely what guided meditation can do and to learn the art of meditation before adding daily meditation into your normal pattern of life.

1/24/09

"What There is to Know About Diet Pills?"

According to manufacturers, diet pills use natural ingredients capable of prolonging life and containing alcohol used in medication or flavoring. One thing’s for sure, never take diet pills as substitute for cutting calories without the doctor’s recommendation. There are simple but important steps to be followed when taking diet pills:

1.Never crush diet pills to mix in drinks or soups. Take it whole with a full glass of water.

2.Diet pills causes a person to urinate more frequently due to its diuretic effect. This could lead to dehydration, thus, causing complications. As a pre-caution, it is best to drink eight glasses of water everyday while on diet pills.

3.Take only the recommended dosage. Taking more than required will not help you lose weight but increase the risk of side effects.

4.Heartbeat should be less than 86 beats per minute. Stop taking the pills if it reaches 90 or higher that is why regular checking of pulse is a must.

5.Always follow the instructions set by the dietician and/or doctor and not only rely on what’s enclosed in the box. Also diet pills will only work as expected if diet plan is being followed.

6.After three months, stop taking the diet pills. Common diet phenylpropanolamine is safe to use only up to sixteen weeks. Other studies show that it can cause health problems if taken under one month.

There are two kinds of diet pills; one is the prescription only diet pills and the over-the-counter diet pills.

Prescription Diet Pills - are drugs regulated by the Food and Drug Administration agency which side effects are monitored, maybe advertised and prescribed under certain dosages. The most popular of these is Xenical, which is licensed for long-term use. However, this too has it’s own side effects, diarrhea, oily and unexpected fecal discharge are just some. Therefore, users are advised to take a low fat diet plan.

While Over-the-Counter Diet Pills are categorized as food substitute and are unregulated. Beware that these diet pills are not Federal authorities tested and may cause serious side effects up to and including death.

Aside from a dietician, local pharmacists can also help in determining the pills that are safe and not for each person’s case. Just be extra careful about the so-called "natural" or "organic" ingredients. Not everything that comes from a natural source is safe. One example is Ma Huang, which is a botanical source of ephedrine known as a stimulant and being studied for potential side effects.

Those who have or have a family history of prostate problems, thyroid disease, mental illness, high blood pressure, and heart problems should avoid taking diet supplements. The same applies to those who’ve had seizures or strokes. If someone is taking cold medicines, especially those with decongestants, diet pills should not be taken. Whether it be a prescription or an over-the-counter diet pill, the dangers are unvarying with other similar drugs which controls the brain to reduce appetite and includes chest pains, hair fall, fever, depression, and even impotence.

And as a general rule, don’t ever try to take diet drugs if pregnancy is suspected. Persons that are allergic to sulfites and tartrazine should also avoid taking diet pills. And those who are under 18 years or over 60 years of age should consult their doctor first prior to taking any dietary drugs, especially if they rely on over-the-counter stimulants used as a replacement for increase exercise.

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"What to Know About Weight Loss Products"

There are a lot of weight loss products that offer that fast weight loss results, however, are these really guaranteed? Could these products live up to their assurance of a fit body?

In US, there is an estimated 50 million people who try to lose weigh, unfortunately, only 5 per cent are successful. One thing's for sure, beware of fraudulent claims and extreme high cost because there is no magic to losing weight.

Samples of weight loss products in the market nowadays:

· Diet Patch – this was already removed since 1990’s by FDA since they were proven ineffective.

· Magnetic Diet Pills – allegedly flushes out fat, but not.

· Guar Gum – causes internal obstruction.

· Electrical Muscle Stimulators – no proven effect.

· Eyeglasses that Suppress Appetite – These claims that the projected image on the retina decreases appetite. No proven fact.

· Weight loss earrings – through acupuncture, suppresses appetite.

There are also examples of weight loss products:

Diet drinks that are mixed with beverages or food are used as meal substitutes. A downside of this is that once a person stopped taking the drinks, they would eventually regain the lost weight after a short period of time due to feeling of emptiness in the stomach. Another is diet supplements and medicines that also don’t work long-term. Over-the-counter pills that compose of phenylpropanolamine hydrochloride may raise blood pressure and palpitation. Ephedra on the other hand can cause serious side effects such as heart problems, seizure, stroke, and even death. E.g.:

§ Herbalife Nutritional Program – good as two meals, dieters may rely on shakes and follow artificial dieting methods and just don’t want food to work into their lives.

§ Mega-Thin 100 Formula – Its formula contains an anti-fat weapon, however, diet is not emphasized that’s why it’s concluded that it has an appetite suppressant.

§ NestlĂ©’s Sweet Success – recommended to take three times a day and it does not promote healthy eating habits. Weight loss is difficult to maintain once intake is stopped.

§ Ultra Slim Fast – this plan requires regular exercise but does not teach good eating habits.

§ Diet pills with Ephedra and PPA – many of these have enclosed diet plans. Slimming can come from the diet plan and not the pill intake and there are risks of adverse side effects.

§ Chitosan products – contains fibers which were taken from shellfish that may cause diarrhea, bloatedness, and gas. This will only work if a low fat diet is practiced.

§ Chromium Supplements –claim that products will lower blood sugar, body fat and cholesterol but causes anemia and even memory loss. Studies show only minimal or no beneficial effect at all.

§ Green Tea Extract Products – known as strong anti-oxidants that help lower cholesterol and triglycerides, and promote weight loss, however, the caffeine content could cause insomnia and restlessness.

§ Algae Tablets - Spirulina contains significant nutrients that can be an acceptable food when used as part of a varied diet but are very expensive.

§ St. John's Wort Supplement - Claims that it will suppress appetite and promote weight loss but it could lead to gastrointestinal discomfort, tiredness, sleeplessness, and arouse allergic reactions.

§ Glucomannan Products – claim that two capsules before each meal decrease food absorption. Known as food thickeners but not yet proven safe or effective. Weight loss will only happen if good diet plan is followed.

Even if you plan on using over-the-counter weight supplements or even participate in a weight loss activity, the verdict is that you still have to eat fewer calories than you burn to lose weight. When choosing a weight loss product or program, collect as much information as possible.

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Free Weight Loss programs

The race to fitness is on and a lot of people are getting into the band wagon. Some people do it to achieve a sexy body, some people just do it because they are embarrassed with the body they have now, while others do it simply to remain fit and heatlthy. As such, many fitness programs are out in the internet, in gyms, spas and fitness centers all over. Some are too expensive to afford that one may even lose weight just by trying to work out the money needed to pursue these fitness programs.

One may not have to go to the gym or the spa or any fitness center and spend much just to slim down to obtain that longed for sexy body. There are many books available in the bookstore which offer weight loss programs which are convenient and for free, of course the books are not though. These weight loss programs, or diet plans are gaining immense popularity with so much publicity, testimonials and reviews that one may be confused which exactly to follow. So before choosing which weight loss plan to follow, try reading these summaries about the most popular diet programs out today.

Atkins' New Diet Revolution by Dr. Atkins. This weight loss program encourages high protein diet and a trim down on the carbs. One can feast on vegetables and meat but should fast on bread and pasta. One is also not restricted against fat intake so it is okay to pour in the salad dressing and freely spread on the butter. However, after the diet, one may find himself lacking on fiber and calcium yet high in fat. Intake of grains and fruits are also limited.

Carbohydrate Addict's Diet by Drs. Heller. This diet plan advocates low carbohyrate eating. Approves on eating meats, vegetables and fruits, dairy and grain products. however, warns against taking in too much carb. "Reward" meal can be too high on fats and saturated fats.

Choose to Lose by Dr. Goor. Restrains fat intake. One is given a "fat" budget and he is given the liberty on how to spend it. It does not pressure the individual to watch his carbohydrate intake. Eating meat and poultry as well as low-fat dairy and seafoods is okay. A go signal is also given on eating vegetables, fruits, cereals, bread and pasta. This weight loss plan is fairly healthy, good amounts of fruits and vegetables as well as saturated fats. Watch triglyceride levels though; if high, trim down the carbohydrates and tuck in more of the unsaturated fats.

The DASH Diet. Advocates moderate amounts of fat and protein intake and high on carbs. Primarily designed to lower blood pressure, the diet plan follows the pyramid food guide and encourages high intake of whole wheat grains as well as fruits and vegetables and low-fat dairy. Some dieters think it advocates too much eating to procure significant weight loss.

Eat More, Weigh Less by Dr. Ornish. Primarily vegetarian fare and strictly low-fat. Gives the go signal on the "glow" foods but warns to watch it on non-fat dairy and egg whites. This diet is poor in calcium and retricts consumption of healthy foods like seafoods and lean poultry.

Eat Right for Your Type. Interesting because it is based on the person's blood type. recommends plenty of mest for people with the blood type O. Diet plans for some blood types are nutritionally imbalanced and too low in calories. And for the record, there is even no proof that blood type affects dietary needs.

The Pritkin Principle. Focused on trimming the calorie density in eating by suggesting watery foods that make one feel full. Eating vegetables, fruits, oatmeal, pasta, soups, salads and low-fat dairy is okay. Although limits protein sources to lean meat, pseafood and poultry. Although it is healthy by providing low amounts of saturated fats and rich amounts of vegetables and fruits, it is also low on calcium and limits lean protein sources.

Volumetrics. For low-density calorie eating. Recommends the same foodstuff as Pritkin but restricts fatty or dry foods like popcorn, pretzels and crackers. This plan is reasonably healthy given the high amounts of fruits and vegetables as well as being low in calorie density and saturated fats.

The Zone. Moderately low on the carbs yet moderately high on the proteins. Encourages low-fat protein foods like fish and chicken plus veggies, fruits and grains. It is also healthy but lacking in grains and calcium.

Weight Watchers. High carbohydrates, moderate on fats and proteins. A very healthy diet plan and very flexible too. it allows the dieter to plan his own meal rather than give him a set to follow.

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1/22/09

Strategies for a healthy heart

Just a short time ago, heart disease was this country`s biggest killer. It's now in the same league as obesity. However, that changes very little, as obesity often lead to heart disease, which just makes the argument cyclical.

If you’ve lived life to the fullest – which sometimes or oftentimes means you’ve indulged in a lifestyle that’s not very heart friendly - it may be high time for you to take a long hard look at yourself, especially if you’re getting on in years. It may now be time to look at the South Beach Heart Program. These are some things you can do right away to get your heart on a healthy path.

A Strategy of Prevention
Heart disease is preventable, so it is a good idea to make preventing it from happening to you a top priority. How do you do this? By avoiding activities that increase your risk of heart attack of course.

Stop Smoking – Cigarette smoke contains around thousands of chemicals, most of which can damage your heart and blood vessels on their own. These elements working together, are crippling your heart and arteries. Nicotine restricts the flow of blood in your vessels which will increase your heart rate - not good. You have to compete smoking completely, because even light smkoers are at significant risk. Quit and you decrease your risk factor significantly.

Drink Moderately - Start cuttting down on the amount of alcholol. Overindulgence with alcohol leads to high blood pressure not to mention being dangerous to your liver. If you are in a social situation, try and drink red wine, which is good for the heart. This should also be done in moderation.

Eat a heart-healthy diet- The eat whatever you like diet you were on during your younger years probably didn’t do so much good for your heart but if you can start healthy eating now, it will still be beneficial for you. Try and eat a diet rich is fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. It's time to reduce fatty milk products and meats that have a high fat content.

You`ve got to get physical
Now that you’ve eliminated activities that are bad for your heart, it’s now time to engage inactivities that are good for it. To make is simple and direct you need to exercise regularly.
Regular exercise whether sports or working out in the gym or your own home helps prevent heart failure by increasing blood flow to your heart, strengthening it in the process. Exercise also lowers your bad cholesterol levels. As a side benefit, exercise will reduce mental stress - also a leading cause of heart disease.

Exercising is also key to maintaining a healthy weight. It is natural that as we age, our metabolism slows down that is why when we were young, we could seemingly eat as much as we want and yet stay fit. Being overweight adds to your heart disease risk factor. Strive to get your weight down to the right level proportionate to your height and age.

Make Check-ups Part of Your Retirement
Another strategy that people ignore is making check-ups part of their lifestyle. Some people ignore this, believing that their healthy lifestyle and regular exercise is enough. Sometimes it is, but sometimes its not. Some seniors could look into optional medications. Its easy to miss something in your health without regular doctor appointments. Regular checkups will also let you know your actual cholesterol levels so you will know what type of foods to eat and what to avoid, and also what foods you can indulge on.

Following these strategies can help you live a longer, healthier life, but only if you do them all together, not just piecemeal. The sooner you start, the better off you will be.

1/20/09

Pro Solution Pills Review - Does it Really Work?

ProSolution represents a herbal natural supplement used in the treatment of male fertility problems and erectile dysfunctions. As the major ingredients of the product, herbs play a vital role in the increase of the sexual drives and the stimulation of the body stamina that is necessary for a rewarding love life.

Some of the extracts present in Pro Solution Pills act as aphrodisiacs while others triggered an increased blood flow to the penile tissue. Nevertheless, the producers claim that for long-lasting effects of the Pro Solution Pills, it is advisable that they be used in combination with special physical exercises for which they provide you with a manual.

ProSolution Pills – the ingredients

Drilizen and Solidilin, these are the formulas that support the penis size increase with Pro Solution Pills. Drilizen has the ability to release nitric oxide, a chemical with a vital role in the relaxation of the blood vessels and the dilation that makes erections possible. Drilizen also stimulates the testosterone natural body production, improving the quality of the sexual life.

The other major ingredient in Pro Solution, Solidilin, is responsible for the psychological response to sexual stimuli. These chemicals together with Reishi mushrooms and Musli extracts lead to an increase of the sexual motivation triggering a lot more pleasure and resulting in a truly rewarding sexual experience for both partners. Solidilin is also the basis for another chemical: dopamine that is closely connected to thed same pleasure effect we've mentioned.

Last but not least of the ProSolution Pills, we have to mention Momordica extract for the testosterone level increase and the vaso-dilators, Taj and Safflower. These herbs in fact make firmer erections possible by the sustained high blood flow in the penis.

ProSolution Pills health risks

The side effects reported after the administration of ProSolution represent either a low tolerance reaction or an aggravation of a pre-existent health problem. For instance, people with high blood pressure and heart disease should not administrate ProSolution Pills because of the blood flow stimulation properties.

All in all, ProSolution Pills will best work for men that have no health problems whatsoever, but the “all clear” diagnosis can only be given by an expert in the medical field. Do not hesitate to talk to a doctor about the use of the sexual enhancement supplement.

1/19/09

Lose Weight and Lower Blood Pressure with DASH

Have you heard about the DASH diet? No, it isn't the latest crazy weight loss scheme to hit the market. It's a sensible eating program formulated by the US National Institutes of Health to manage high blood pressure and cholesterol levels. DASH is an acronym for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension. The diet encourages the consumption of lots of unprocessed, nutrient packed foods such as whole grains, fruits and vegetables, lean white meats and fish, while avoiding sugar, sodium and red meat. In fact, this plan is actually one of the most healthy weight loss programs you can find today.

The diet also advises against eating too many processed foods. Once people learn to give up these overly processed products they often find that food has a much better flavor. Processed foods contain three quarters of the sodium found in the average diet. This is why the DASH diet discourages them. A large number of cases of hypertension are caused by excessive sodium consumption. Reducing your sodium intake by eliminating processed foods from your diet is a big step towards controlling your blood pressure and living a healthier, longer life.

The DASH diet isn't just for controlling hypertension. In addition, it places an emphasis on lifestyle makeover instead of restrictive eating that will help you towards your goal of achieving a healthy body weight. The DASH diet was the outcome of numerous studies that looked at various diet programs and their results.

This healthy lifestyle plan demonstrates to people what good eating habits look like. However, it also points them towards healthier substitutes for junk food. This is actually quite critical, since dieting causes many people to start craving the junk food that they're used to eating. By substituting a healthier food that satisfies the body, people are less likely to cheat. With this valuable tool, people will be more likely to stay with the program until it becomes a habit.

There's also a book of guidelines that has been published for the diet called Your Guide to Lowering Your Blood Pressure with DASH. This guide shows the nutritional information for many foods and gives suggestions for healthy alternatives for the less nutritious ones. This useful reference tool also has great ideas for meal preparation that fit within the DASH recommendations, complete with nutritional breakdown. It also includes valuable resources such as places where people can find help to start the program, and other support mechanisms that are available to help you make it work.

As you can see, the DASH diet isn't the latest rapid weight loss diet to make the rounds. The results of much research has contributed to these dietary recommendations. It's endorsed by numerous experts and organizations in the field of health and nutrition. It's highly recommended for anyone who is having difficulties with high blood pressure. It's also ideal for people who are looking for a healthier approach to eating or practical, nutritional weight loss advice.

1/18/09

REDUCE BLOOD PRESSURE - WITH POWERFUL RELAXATION TECHNIQUES

HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE EXPLAINED
Our arteries carry blood from our heart to the rest of our body. When our blood flows through our arteries at a higher pressure than normal, it results in a condition called ‘High Blood Pressure’ (also named ‘Hypertension’).According to medical standards a normal blood pressure stands at a reading of about 120/80. High blood pressure is 140/90 or sometimes higher.

WHAT CAUSES HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE
High blood pressure is mainly cause by obesity and lack of regular exercise; some are cause by family medical history, stressful and sedentary lifestyle and poor eating style.

THE RISK AND SYMPTOMS

  • When you have shortness of breath, headache, dizziness or blurred vision, you may have a high blood pressure condition. Most of the other symptoms are unnoticeable in most cases, if any of the above mention occurs, you should do a full body check to find out the problems. Find out if you have the symptoms of anxiety, because some symptoms are shared.
  • Some other risk factors for high blood pressure leading to hypertension are excessive intake of sodium in diet, aging, diabetes, certain kidney diseases and atherosclerosis (thickening and hardening of the arteries).
  • High blood pressure are common in pregnancy, the mother should always be relax all the time.
  • Extreme high blood pressure will raise the risk of stroke and heart attack, especially when weakened blood vessels that causes aneurysm. Hypertension will lead to loss of vision and disturbed metabolic syndrome, should not be taken lightly.
  • The kidney will be damaged by the weakening blood vessels that cause high blood pressure.



SOME COMMON RELAXATION TECHNQIUES
Health professionals, doctors and psychotherapists are skilled at and do teach relaxation techniques to reduce blood pressure, but there are many things that you can do on your own to check your blood pressure from rising. Relaxation techniques are meant to increase awareness of your body and refocusing your attention towards a calming thought.

Effective relaxation techniques that reduce blood pressure:

  • Relaxing Music
  • Regular Exercise to relax the muscle and help blood regulation
  • Tai Chi
  • Self Hypnosis for Relaxation
  • Massage Acupuncture
  • Meditation


There are various relaxation techniques to choose from, but what really matters is that the relaxation techniques are to be practiced regularly without fail. Lets us now have a look at some very upcoming, useful and not so common relaxation techniques:

Progressive Muscle Relaxation. Begin with your toes, make fist with the toes and tense for 5 seconds, then open and relax your toe muscles for 30 seconds, next, move your focus to the legs, asses, tummy, arms, neck, head. Repeat the process few times from toe to head and from head to toe until you feel all of the muscles in your body are relaxed. Remember to deep breathing during the exercise.


Visual Relaxation. Visualize mental image of peaceful places, calm your emotion and body, think of yourself on the beach, mountains, and small villages, hear and feel the wind and stream. Practice it with as many senses as you can, imagine the sound, sights, smells and textures.  To practice visual relaxation, you need a quiet and calm place, and the wearing should be loose cotton clothing, this will help you focus and relax using the mind power. After all, the mind is the key to controlling your health, use it properly and restore your health condition.


Autogenic Relax Technique. Autogenic relaxation is a way of combining yoga and meditation with progressive relaxation techniques. Practitioner will sit on a meditation posture and start to relax the body part by part from toe to head or head to toe. Before starting, the practitioner will imagine the relaxing and clam environment, using all sense to create a picture, smell, sound and any kind of relaxation elements.  Next, the practitioner will use hypnotic self help wording, such as “feeling the arms relax and warm”, read it repeating in the mind and activate the sense and feelings of relax and warm to the arm. Do the same to each part of the body, and repeat them until you feel extreme relaxing.

OVERVIEW
You need to control the high blood pressure problems, and avoid damaging the arteries that will lead to heart attack and stroke. Practice relaxation techniques will reduce the blood pressure, which is critical in maintaining a healthy mind and body. To cure high blood pressure caused by anxiety and depression, see the anxiety native treatment for more information.

1/17/09

Do Volume Pills Help Treat Infertility?

Labeled under the category of natural organic products, Volume Pills have been designed to address fertility problems related to reduced sperm motility and poor quality of the seminal fluid. Yet, since the sperm volume is directly related to the intensity of the orgasm, many men choose to increase their sexual experience by administrating Volume pills as a supplement, although they do not suffer from infertility. As for the working mechanism, the product contains a herbal and mineral combination that influences the functions of the genitals in a positive direction.

Volume pills basic features

The main ingredient in Volume pills is solidilin, a herbal extract that induces sexual motivation and facilitates sex in the first place. Solidilin actually functions like any other neurotransmitter to the only effect of causing pleasure. As for the rest of the ingredients in Volume Pills, they are all part of Chinese medical tradition.

Most of the other herbs in the composition of Volume Pills are part of traditional Chinese medicine: this is the case with Xi Lan Rou Gui and Hong Hua Fen that both share vaso-dilating properties, increasing the blood flow that reaches the penis. The action of these extracts is completed by the testosterone production stimulation that falls in the responsibility of Ku Gua, another Asian herb that boosts up semen production.

San Guo Mu and vitamin C are present in the composition of Volume Pills as blood pressure regulators; their function is vital given the fact that both blood pressure and the heart beat rate change during a sexual act. Last but not least, Ling Zhi is one final Chinese extract that stimulates the natural body energy and provides vitality. As for the quality of the erection, the zinc oxide in the content of the Volume Pills brings further rewarding results.

Last but not least we should also mention Drilizen that drastically prolongs erections by a direct action on the smooth muscles responsible for the blood flow increase and the spasms that bring sperm out in the climax moment. The reaction to Drilizen and the other ingredients in Volume Pills is pretty fast, allowing for an immediate quality boost of the sexual encounter.

Volume Pills side effects

Men with a history of heart disease or high blood pressure should administrate Volume Pills with utmost care or avoid them completely. Only a health care provider can determine the efficiency versus the risk rates. Another health problem incompatible with the administration of Volume Pills is benign prostate hyperplasia, which again requires medical diagnosis and recommendations.

All in all, Volume Pills remains an efficient supplement for the treatment of infertility and erectile dysfunctions, yet its efficiency and safety rate vary from individual to individual. Analyze ingredients and personal health condition well before deciding to administrate Volume Pills.

1/6/09

Side Effects Of Hoodia For Weight Loss - Should You Be Concerned?

Hoodia or hoodia gordonii is being touted a lot these days as an ideal weight loss supplement. However, there are reports of side effects. Should you be concerned about hoodia side effects?

Diet supplement manufacturers say that hoodia has long been used by South African Bushmen to suppress appetite during their hunting trips. However, it should be noted that hoodia was not part of their daily diet. They certainly did not take hoodia diet pills that contained other ingredients as well.

While so far research on hoodia side effects seems to be slight, there are some concerns about its safety. For example, Jasjit S. Bindra PhD, a former hoodia researcher for the drug company Pfizer stated in the New York Times that some of the inactive components of hoodia supplements could affect liver function. Bindra's letter was referred to at About.com's alternative medicine website.

Hoodia may also affect medications prescribed for blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol, depression and other illnesses that were not experienced by South African tribes. Diabetics should be particularly concerned. The theory is that hoodia tricks the brain into thinking its blood sugar levels are normal. Hoodia turns off the hunger mechanism and could cause blood sugar to drop to dangerous levels.

In addition to curbing hunger, it is believed that hoodia also suppresses thirst. Thus among hoodia gordonii side effects is dehydration.

Hoodia safety is also an issue. Producers of hoodia supplements caution consumers that only their supplement contains pure hoodia. However, because nutritional supplements are not well regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, it is difficult to know exactly which hoodia supplements are best.

It should be noted that these side effects are in no way as dangerous as those of ephedra or other weight-loss supplements that were pulled from the market. There is no evidence that hoodia causes heart attacks, palpitations or stomach disorders like other supplements.

Those who are considering using hoodia should check with their doctor or pharmacist to make sure it would not interfere with other medications or with upcoming surgery. Pregnant or nursing women should avoid taking hoodia because of its unknown effects on the baby.

Before buying, read hoodia diet product reviews online to find out which are the best. Consider both the active and inactive ingredients and only buy from reputable companies. Also consider price: Sometimes the cheapest supplements provide little benefit and the most expensive ones simply have fancy packaging and nothing more.

There are many other ways to lose weight rather than by using hoodia. Diet is one method. Rather than relying on a supplement, it may be better to lose weight by simply cutting out junk food and second helpings. Drink water to curb hunger cravings and to prevent dehydration. Exercise regularly, at least 30 minutes a day.

Hoodia or hoodia gordonii can be an effective supplement to sensible weight loss efforts. By taking care to choose a quality product and following package directions, hoodia can be one more weapon in the weight-loss arsenal.

1/5/09

Effective Ways of Losing Weight

People gain weight when the number of calories they eat is more than the number of calories their bodies use.

The risk of contracting heart-related diseases, high blood pressure along with other illneses unfortunately increases for obese people.

Based on your build and how old or tall you are, your physician can aid you set appropriate milestones.

Usually, doctors will recommend that their overweight patients combine a reduction of the caloric content of the diet, with an increase in physical activity.

Other methods of losing weight include use of drugs and supplements that decrease appetite, block fat absorption, or reduce stomach volume.

When it comes to solutions to lose weight, do read product reports such as third party Nutrex Lipo Six reports.

Proper research must be conducted before selecting the weight reduction program to follow.

You may start to benefit from regular physical activity.

When eating out, it is important for you to eat the right types of food and must be in reasonably sized portions.

Please check the food product labels if you are thinking of preparing home cooked food. Focus on foods with low trans fat and saturated fats content.

When it comes to knowing the ingredients in weight loss solutions, you can easily find such information by checking out Nutrex Lipo Six reports or reports on other proven solutions.

It is important to select drinks and foods which do not have a lot of added sugar content. (caloric sweeteners).

Choosing to eat a variety of foods will help you to get the essential vitamins and nutrients that your body needs.

Find a weight reduction program that will give you a certain degree of flexibility and control.

In the event that this incorporates weight loss offerings, keep in mind the need to browse third party independant Lipo Six review reports or other independant reports.

For each product, it is imperative that the manufacturer's recommended dosage are strictly followed.

In addition, please be aware that even established weight reduction solutions may not work for every individual for numerous reasons. ( DWLHA03AM )

1/3/09

The Clinical Manifestation of Hypertension

Hypertension, also referred to as high blood pressure, is a specific health condition that happens as a result of developing high blood pressure on the artery walls. The clinical manifestation of hypertension is not apparent. Hence a regular monitoring of blood pressure can only detect hypertension. In the United States, hypertension is one of the most common health complications affecting more than 50 million individuals at present. Let us identify whether there is any apparent clinical manifestation of hypertension or not.

Causes of the Problem

Among 90% of the cases, the causes behind the development of hypertension are not known. Hypertension runs through families, if one of the parents has hypertension, the offspring may develop the same complication later on time. When you are not taking enough care of your weight, it may pose serious threat to health. Apart from that, sedentary lifestyle may also contribute to the development of hypertension. Whatever may be the cause, the clinical manifestation of hypertension is not so prominent even at the advanced level of the complications.

Other Complications

Hypertension may lead to other serious health complications, and even at its worst end, to mortality. Known as the 'silent killer', hypertension does not have any apparent clinical manifestation of hypertension. There are few associated symptoms like nervousness, headaches, dizziness or nosebleeds, which are not exclusively related to hypertension only. So only analyzing these types of symptoms, detection of hypertension is virtually impossible. Only a regular monitoring of blood pressure can help detecting the problem effectively.

Since the detection of blood pressure is the only mode of determining hypertension, it can not be identified in isolation just by analyzing clinical manifestation of hypertension. In some rare occasions, the by analyzing the clinical manifestation of hypertension, doctors may suspect the possible underlying cause, that is, hypertension. A persistent form of anxiety and irritability may lead to hypertension in people under certain circumstances. At its advanced level, hypertension is linked up with confusion, nausea, somnolence, vomiting and visual disturbance.

An increasing level of hypertension may lead to different other complications, which may affect different organs in our body. When someone has developed hypertension, he or she may become susceptible towards developing few other serious health complications such as cerebrovascular accidents or strokes, myocardial infarction, heart failure, hypersensitive retinopathy, and hypersensitive nephropathy. Changing into healthy lifestyle may minimize the risk of developing hypertension. In addition, doctors may suggest medications for treating hypertension as well.

We recommend that you consider the Atkins Diet and learn more about Coenzyme Q10 Supplements and Alpha Lipoic Acid.

1/1/09

The Unknown Secrets of Herbal Chinese Medicine and Skin Disorders

Acupuncture, tuina, gigong, dietary therapy and herbal medicine. It is no question that Chinese medicine has brought wonders to the world as well as a load of relief to those who are suffering from different medical ailments. Each of these traditional Chinese medicinal practices has its unique way of providing remedy to people seeking treatment. This article, however, focuses on the medical marvel that is Chinese herbal medicine and the miraculous cure it provides to various skin conditions.

Chinese herbs have been used for centuries. Because of its efficiency in relieving so many different medical problems, the use of Chinese herbs was not only confined in its place of origin. People from different countries in Asia and even other continents adapted the practice to treat their medical conditions. These days, herbal medicine that originated from the Chinese is now widely available in the market.

The popularity of herbal Chinese medicine may also be attributed to the number of people who are switching back to natural or organic products and resources to avoid the medical conditions that are linked to the products that contain harmful and toxic chemicals. There are a lot of natural remedies that herbal Chinese medicine offer to treat different skin disorders. Below are some of the skin conditions that can be treated by Chinese herbal skin care:


1- Acne. – It is an extremely common skin condition prevalent to teenagers of both genders and is also common in adults. They manifest themselves as pimples, whiteheads and blackheads. Chinese herbologists have come up with a concoction of different herbs to treat acne. The concoction include Job’s tear seeds, poria mushroom, phellodendrin bark, tree peony root bark, red peony root, goldenthread root, Chinese licorice root and pearl. These days, this formula comes in pills or tablets that are available on the market and tagged as acne natural treatment.

2- Varicose veins. – In a literal sense, varicose veins mean “twisted veins”. They are protruding, enlarged, twisted veins that are bluish purple in color. Varicous veins generally occur on the legs. Standing alone makes the legs work against gravity, which increases the pressure on the legs and result to the appearance of varicose veins. It is a common condition to adults, particularly women who wear high heels. Various natural extracts can be used to treat varicous veins. These extracts include horse chestnut extract, and grape seed and pine bark extracts. In addition, studies show that Butcher’s broom, a plant in the lily family, can also be used to treat varicose veins. However, Butcher’s broom may cause digestion problems and is not to be taken with medication for high blood pressure, benign prostate hyperplasia and other diseases. It is highly recommended that you consult your physician about any herbal Chinese medicine you would want to use for your varicose veins to avoid complicating your other medical conditions.

3- Athlete’s foot. - It is a fungal infection that is commonly acquired from warm and damp environments like fitness centers, public showers, indoor swimming pools and locker rooms. Athlete's foot can be treated by many anti-fungal herbs such as garlic, licorice and ginger. Licorice has been used by the Chinese to treat athlete’s foot and ringworm. Licorice is said to work best when combined with a garlic foot bath. This treatment is very convenient as you can do it in your own home. Licorice is said to have twenty-five fungicidal compounds that can kill the fungus that causes athlete’s foot.

4- Cold sores. - They are blisters that are small, painful and fluid-filled. If the excrutiating pain does not bother you, the look of your skin certainly will. They generally occur on the gums, the roof of the mouth or the lips. Worse, they are contagious. Cold sores may also be treated with Chinese licorice root.

5- Eczema. - It is a skin condition that is chronic. It is also known as atopic eczema, atopic dermatitis or infantile eczema. Eczema can be treated with a formula of Chinese herbs. The herbs included in this formula are Gan Cao, Mu Dan Pi, Shi Gao, Sheng Di Huang, Zhi Mu, Ku shen, Chan Tui, Niu Bang Zi, Fang Feng, Tian Men Dong.  Although the use of this formula including all these herbs will provide an efficient dermatitis natural treatment (eczema), combining it with acupuncture will address the skin problem faster.


Chinese herbs are said to be the oldest “evidence-based medicine”. That is due to the recorded number of people who have suffered from different ailments that are cured by herbal remedies. Compared to synthetic drugs, Chinese herbs definitely have many advantages. Traditional herbal Chinese medicine remedies are designed to address many ailments. Herbal Chinese medicine is widely used in Asian countries and is now also gaining popularity in other nations around the world due to its efficiency in relieving many different health conditions.