Don't be moody, your Heart does not like it

Depression after a heart attack

Have you or a loved one ever suffered from a heart attack or heart disease?  Have you ever suffered from depression?  Well, it just may be that depression and such heart problems are related.  For instance, it’s three times as likely that you’ll get depression after a heart attack than you would normally.  Fifteen to twenty percent of those who have suffered a heart attack are later diagnosed with depression; larger numbers also exhibit some symptoms of depression that does not meet the cut off for a diagnosis as such.

How do you feel?

Depression affects your mood and perceptions, which can increase your lack of confidence and inhibit the recovery process after a heart attack.  Do you have continuous feelings of emptiness, sadness, or anxiousness?  How about trouble staying asleep, insomnia, or sleeping too much?  Are you overeating or losing your appetite?  Being unable to concentrate, remember things accurately, or having a hard time making decisions?  These are all signs and symptoms of depression.  Depression can be extreme or a little lighter, but its symptoms can encourage negative thinking, uncertainty, and worry, leading to thoughts of death or attempted suicide.

Heart and mind are connected

It’s not only common for those who have suffered a heart attack or have heart disease to be diagnosed with depression, but it’s common for those who have depression to be diagnosed with heart disease or suffer a heart attack.  Depression reduces mental and physical health, which can increase the risk of heart-related problems or make such problems worse.  Lack of proper nutrition and exercise especially increases the risk of heart disease or heart attack.

Good mental and physical health is necessary for a healthy heart.  This makes depression especially dangerous, as it lowers your self-confidence and inspires unhealthy habits such as lack of sleep, lack of exercise, and over or under-eating.  

Yoga and Meditation

Yoga can also help with depression.  In doing yoga, your body releases endorphins, which make you feel happier and increases your sense of well-being.  Yoga works by using exercises that put pressure on certain organs or glands, triggering the release of a chemical balance that induces feelings of well-being and relieves stress.  The movements required in yoga - stretching, bending, and reaching - also work to expel toxins from the body.  Meditation is sometimes used as a supplement to yoga or other depression treatments, as it reduces stress and calms the mind and body.

Friends and Family Support

Other strategies to combat depression include social support.  Depression can cause you to withdraw from your family and friends, making you feel isolated and alone.  Talking with your family, friends, or a therapist about your feelings and your problems can help alleviate some of your stress and make you feel better.  Support from people who know and care about you may be that extra boost you need to fight depression.

Exercise is your ally

As depression can increase your lack of motivation and unhealthy eating habits, exercise is also encouraged.  Exercise is good for your heart, making you healthier and reducing your risk of heart attack or heart disease.  Exercise can also be calming, reducing stress and making you feel better overall.  Other healthy habits, such as healthy eating, reduction in alcohol consumption and smoking, are also good for your heart in addition to helping you fight depression.

Cognitive behavior therapy

There are several ways to treat depression.  One of the commonest is cognitive behavioral therapy.  Cognitive behavioral therapy is a talk therapy that focuses on helping the patient change negative thoughts and behaviors that could be contributing to their depression.  By changing the way you think and act in a more positive direction, cognitive behavioral therapy can help alleviate depression.

Medications to control the mood

Another common treatment is medication such as Prozac or Cymbalta.  Such medication acts as reuptake inhibitors, preventing neurotransmitters from being absorbed back into the brain.  High levels of certain neurotransmitters are thought to improve nerve cells’ communication with each other, strengthening the brain circuits that control your mood and correct the chemical imbalance that might cause depression in the first place.  Most reuptake inhibitors inhibit the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrin, two neurotransmitters that have a strong effect on your mood.

Don’t be afraid

If you have depression, don’t be afraid to ask for help.  Most people describe depression as a chemical imbalance in the brain.  This does not mean that you’re crazy, or that you’re destined to feel empty and lonely and worthless forever.  What it does mean is that your depression is not your fault. It is a health issue like the ones affecting any other part of your body that deserves attention and help sooner rather than later. Seeking help, whether through therapy or medication, will only benefit you.  Although seeking help for your depression is the first step, in doing so you are starting on a long road to recovery.  Don’t expect to be cured instantly; it will take time and dedication.  However, know that by starting treatment for your depression, you are on your way to a healthier heart, happier life, and happier you.

Sources:

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/depression-and-heart-disease/index.shtml

http://circ.ahajournals.org/content/123/25/e639.full

http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/heart_vascular_institute/clinical_services/centers_excellence/womens_cardiovascular_health_center/patient_information/health_topics/depression_heart_disease.html

http://www.helpguide.org/mental/treatment_strategies_depression.htm

http://www.webmd.com/depression/symptoms-depressed-anxiety-12/treating-depression

http://www.finddepressiontreatment.com/depression-yoga-meditation.html

Copyright © 2013 by Radhakrishnan Ramaraj 

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher.

Sex and Heart

Testosterone, balding and heart

Men get heart disease ten years before women normally do.  Why is this?  Some suggest that men’s higher level of testosterone is the cause; some doctors suspect that there is a link between testosterone and heart disease.

For instance, testosterone is what causes men to go bald.  Although the connection between baldness and heart disease is a little shaky, studies have shown that men with severe baldness have a bigger chance of getting heart disease than men with a full head of hair.  Going bald doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll get heart disease, but it’s a sign that you should start checking things like your blood pressure and cholesterol.  Perhaps testosterone is the link between baldness and heart disease; it’s certain that too much of it can damage the heart and your metabolism.

Are you a playboy?

Surprisingly, promiscuity in sex can also increase risk of heart disease or heart attack.  Promiscuity increases risk of getting a sexually transmitted disease, or STD.  Some STDs, such as human papillomavirus, one of the top causes of cervical cancer, may also increase your risk of heart attack.  So, before you choose your next sexual partner, think wisely.

Erectile dysfunction is an indirect sign

Erectile dysfunction may also be a sign that you have heart problems.  Erectile dysfunction is caused by lack of blood flow - or not enough blood - to the penis.  In turn, this poor circulation is caused by atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries.  Hardening of the arteries in the penis is a warning sign to look for hardening of the arteries around the heart and other organs.  Hardening of the arteries also puts you at risk of having a stroke, peripheral artery disease, or an aneurysm.

However, not all erectile dysfunction signals heart problems.  Men whose erectile dysfunction could be a sign of heart disease are younger than fifty, depressed, overweight, have diabetes, high cholesterol, or high blood pressure, or have a history of heart disease in the family.  In the mean time, exercise and healthy eating are good ways to keep your heart healthy as well.

Sexual activity and heart attack

The worry among many couples in old age: could sexual activity cause a heart attack?  Although physical activity is good for your heart, strenuous activity can cause a heart attack.  The risk of having a heart attack while engaged in physical activity is 3.5 times higher than while you’re not doing anything physical.  During sex, that risk is nearly 2.7 times higher.

However, the benefits of exercise are worth the risk.  The more in shape you are, the less risk you have of causing a heart attack by exercising.  Exercise leads to healthier, stronger muscles, your heart included.  However, you shouldn’t over exert yourself.  If you can’t climb a set of stairs without feeling too winded and out of breath, you probably shouldn’t be engaging in sex.  Although sexual activity isn’t too strenuous, it is possible if you aren’t in shape enough that it could trigger a heart attack.

Estrogen – can it stop heart attack?

While testosterone in men seems to be linked to the cause of heart disease, estrogen in women seems to be linked to the prevention of heart disease.  Estrogen largely affects your organs and circulatory system, giving it a direct link to the heart and surrounding blood vessels.  Estrogen helps the heart by increasing good cholesterol (HDL) and lowering bad cholesterol (LDL).  Estrogen also encourages formation of blood clots where needed, and increases blood flow by relaxing, smoothing and enlarging blood vessels.  This increases blood flow to the heart, fighting hardening arteries and increasing heart health.

Unlike testosterone, which may be harmful or helpful, estrogen is mainly helpful.  It even absorbs particles in the blood that can cause harm to the arteries.  Scientists believe that estrogen may be the reason that women become at risk for heart disease ten years after men.  At the age of sixty-five, women’s estrogen levels go down, taking away much of the helpful effects that strengthen the heart.

Although you may not exhibit any of the symptoms listed in the article above for heart disease, as you grow older you should still take precautions.  Make sure you exercise regularly - though not too strenuously - and maintain a healthy diet.  Drinking less alcohol and quitting smoking will help keep your heart healthy too.  If you think you are exhibiting any of the warning signs of heart disease, make sure you go see a doctor.  At the same time, it is a good idea to keep in mind that some of the signs - baldness, erectile dysfunction - are not necessarily major indicators of heart problems.  Make sure you keep your body healthy, and your heart will be healthy as well.

Sources:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/erectile-dysfunction/HB00074

http://www.aarp.org/home-family/sex-intimacy/info-01-2013/can-sex-give-me-a-heart-attack.2.html

http://www.lifesitenews.com/news/promiscuous-sex-may-do-more-than-break-your-heart-study-finds-hpv-heart-att/

http://www.everydayhealth.com/longevity/can-promiscuity-threaten-longevity.aspx

http://www.bostonglobe.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/2013/04/07/should-male-baldness-new-heart-disease-risk-factor/s6irhhAygRcprtXxfxFcEO/story.html

http://www.health.harvard.edu/fhg/updates/testosterone-and-the-heart.shtml

http://my.clevelandclinic.org/heart/prevention/estrogen-hormones/default.aspx

Copyright © 2013 by Radhakrishnan Ramaraj 

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher.

Everything you need to know about Cholesterol

The association between Cholesterol and Heart Diseases

About 2600 Americans die of varying types of cardiovascular diseases every single day. That means one person dies every 34 seconds. With 7.1 million Americans having already suffered from a heart attack, the condition is widespread. The worst part is, a lot of times those who survive through a heart attack move on to have another one later on in life. However, these statistics can easily be reduced if we acquire a basic understanding of cholesterol, what it is, and how it is associated with heart diseases.

So, what’s cholesterol? Fat?

Cholesterol is basically a waxy substance that is produced by the liver, and distributed all through the body for the creation of cell membranes and hormones. The ideal level of cholesterol that should be present in our body is under 200 mg/dl, and heart disease isn’t all that major of a concern if this level is retained. Unfortunately there are around 107 million Americans whose cholesterol levels are significantly above 200. Similar trends can be found around the world. 

Bad Vs. good cholesterol?

Yes, there are two different types of cholesterol in our body. See, when cholesterol is passed on to our bloodstream by the liver, it gets packed into what is known as LDL or Low Density Lipoproteins. LDL is basically the ‘bad cholesterol’ in our body. Although the fact is that LDL is extremely important, as it plays a major role in delivering cholesterol to different parts of our body, but it shouldn’t exceed certain quantities. Excessive amounts of LDL can trigger the risk of a heart attack.

When the cells release cholesterol, it is picked up for disposal purposes by a different package, which is known as HDL or High Density Lipoproteins – the ‘good cholesterol’. When looking at and measuring cholesterol levels, doctors typically consider them as being a basic guide to the risks of heart disease that a person faces.  For ideal health, the ratio between total cholesterol and HDL needs to be less than 4 to 1. Sadly, for the average American male population, this ratio is higher : 5 to 1.

I’ve heard of triglycerides. What are those?

Triglycerides are basically the chemical form that is taken by the fats that exist in our body and food. These can also be found in blood plasma, and they build up plasma lipids in association with cholesterol.

In terms of plasma, these are basically acquired from fats that are present in the foods that we eat, and / or are created in the body through varying sources of energy including carbohydrates. Actually, the calories present in our meals, when not used right away by our tissues, are converted into triglycerides which are then transported to fat cells for storage purposes. Their release from fat tissues is then regulated by hormones, and these are used to fulfill the body’s energy needs in between meals.

How are high levels of cholesterol bad for the body?

Excessive amounts of cholesterol in the blood tend to trigger a blockage in pipes supplying nutrients to the body, particularly the heart arteries. The name of this build up is known as ‘plaque’, and because of it, the arteries tend to lose out on their flexibility. It actually hardens up the arteries, which is a condition called ‘atherosclerosis’, which, as you might know eventually leads to a heart attack.

Increased amounts of plaque in the coronary artery triggers chest pain medically called “angina” as it restricts the supply of oxygen to the heart muscles which then do not receive their desired nutrients. The condition in which your coronary artery hardens up is known as coronary heart disease, and is typically triggered by higher levels of cholesterol.

Know your numbers

American Heart Association recommends a

Total cholesterol level to be less than 200 mg/dl

Bad cholesterol or LDL level less than 130 mg/dl

Good Cholesterol of HDL level greater than 40 mg/dl in males and greater than 60mg/dl in females

Triglycerides less than 150 mg/dl

 If you have suffered a heart attack then the recommendation is to decrease your bad cholesterol to less than 70 mg/dl.

How I can lower the risk of high cholesterol?

There are just a few simple things that you can do in order to control the level of cholesterol in our body. These are:

•       Decrease your alcohol intake
•       Exercise on a regular basis
•       Avoid foods that have high saturated fats such as butter, red meat and whole milk
•       Consume lots of vegetables, fruits, and fiber
•       If you have excess BMI (Body Mass Index), lose weight
•       Decrease your salt intake
•       When cooking meat, trim off excess fat
•       Steer clear of stressful situations
•       Stop smoking or at least smoke less

Eating healthy is a major part of your regime against high levels of cholesterol. The fats that you should be consuming can be found in fish oils, peanut butter, olive oil, unsalted nuts, and avocados. Cut down on your intake of salt, saturated oil, sodas and soft margarine. Animal fats should be avoided, along with egg yolks, butter, take out foods, cheese and butter. These foods need to be consumed in a very balanced manner. Some individuals may need medications to decrease high levels of cholesterol. these medications are known as statins - they help decrease the levels of bad cholesterol in the body and help in your fight against heart disease. 

Copyright © 2013 by Radhakrishnan Ramaraj 

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher.