Heart Disease affects many people and families in Canada. The data below is from the Canadian Heart and Stroke Foundation...
Every 7 minutes in Canada, someone dies from heart disease or stroke.
Heart disease and stroke are two of the three leading causes of death in Canada. These statistics are based on 2008 data (the latest year available from Statistics Canada).1
In 2008 cardiovascular disease accounted for:
- 29% of all deaths in Canada (69,648 deaths – or more than 69,500)
- 28% of all male deaths
- 29.7% of all female deaths
In 2008, of all cardiovascular deaths:
- 54% were due to ischemic heart disease
- 20% to stroke
- 23% to heart attack
The United States also show simliar trends with regards to the effect of heart disease on their population. The link below is from the Amercian Heart and Stroke Foundation and outlines important factors leading to disease.
http://www.heart.org/idc/groups/ahamah-public/@wcm/@sop/@smd/documents/downloadable/ucm_434592.pdf
What can we do to reduce the incidence of heart disease?
If you became the Canadian Health Minister, what would you do?
What initiatives could be put in place to improve the statistics?
Nine in ten Canadians have at least one risk factor that puts them at risk of heart disease or stroke. Smoking, alcohol, physical inactivity, obesity, high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol and diabetes are the top 7 factors; however the focus of this research will be on obesity and its economic effects in our society.
ReplyDelete"Canada, like many nations, is in the midst of an epidemic of overweight and obesity. Currently, 59% of adult Canadians are either overweight or obese. There has also been a dramatic increase in unhealthy weights in children. In 1978, only 15% of children were overweight or obese. By 2007, Statistics Canada found that 29% of adolescents had unhealthy weights. Most adolescents do not outgrow this problem and in fact, many continue to gain excess weight. If current trends continue, by 2040, up to 70% of adults aged 40 years will be either overweight or obese. In 2005, the total cost of obesity to Canadians was $4.3 billion; $1.8 billion in indirect healthcare costs, and $2.5 billion in indirect costs."
http://www.childhoodobesityfoundation.ca/statistics
Canadians, more than ever, are starting to experience suffering from unhealthy weights and obesity. As the population of overweight Canadians continues to rise, the money input towards care for these patients does as well. Health care taxes are not easy for many Canadian families to afford as it is now, however with the increase of a more obese population; these taxes will soon need to be increased. With current predictions, by 2040, Canada's rate of obesity in adults aged 40 will be more than doubled. This means more than double the money input into this very unnecessary cause. With only a growing population and a growing obesity percentage, these issues need to be prevented immediately. A government dedicated to raising awareness of obesity in Canada is a government that will save its money, however more importantly, save its citizens.
I got my information from these sites:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.medicinenet.com/stress_and_heart_disease/article.htm
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/smo/
Stress and it's contribution to heart disease
Stress is a major contributing factor to heart disease and stroke. It is not yet determined how it increases the risk of heart disease and stroke but it is thought that because of elevated levels of stress, it raises the blood pressure. This can harden the arteries and thicken the heart muscle, damaging it and increasing the risk of a heart attack. People who have high levels of stress are also more likely to exercise less, eat more and smoke. This will raise the cholesterol and form larger growths which will block the circulation of the blood and cause a part of the heart to become starved of oxygen. Lack of exercise leads to higher blood pressure which, again, leads to heart attacks. The chemicals in the cigarettes smoked damage blood cells, which in turn damage the heart. Stress also releases the hormones adrenaline and cortisol, affecting the way blood clots.
Stress can be reduced by simply making people more aware of the damages it causes. Posters and advertisements could be made up to help people realize how much stress they actually have and how they can reduce it. They should be reminded that they should not try to take on too much at one time. Students should be given ample time to do tasks or assignments and should be given plenty of opportunities to get help from teachers. People who work should only be allowed to take on a certain amount at one time and not be forced to perform tasks that are next to impossible for them at that time. Continuing to give enough vacation time will also help to reduce stress.
Experts, as seen in the links below, agree that the number 1 way to prevent being at risk of heart disease and stroke is to avoid smoking or using tobacco products.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.mayoclinic.com/health/heart-disease-prevention/WO00041
http://life.gaiam.com/article/top-10-ways-reduce-your-risk-heart-disease
http://www.wellnessletter.com/ucberkeley/foundations/preventing-heart-disease/
Almost 20 per cent of Canadian teens (aged 12-19) currently smoke (daily or occasionally).
About 1 in 3 of those teens keep smoking after this age.
http://www.teenhelp.com/teen-health/teen-smoking-statistics.html
http://www.lung.ca/protect-protegez/tobacco-tabagisme/facts-faits/teens-ados_e.php
In my opinion, the responsibility of delivering the message of the harms of smoking is up to the schools. There are many school programs such as D.A.R.E (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) that help spread the word about harmful drugs but many students continue to ignore these messages and resort to smoking. This program has its strength and also has its weaknesses. One of its best strengths is to identify why kids start to smoke in the first place (peer pressure, etc) and help explain ways to avoid it. One of its weaknesses is the lack of education of how these drugs affect your body. My idea is to link the education on the harms of smoking to a biology curriculum in early high school years. If the students are already studying systems of the body, it could be appropriate in that class to ask how smoking affects these systems. My belief is that students seem to pay more attention in curriculum studies as they know they will be tested on it, making them learn in more depth about the specific subject. With a better idea of how smoking can affect body systems, students are more liable to make the decision themselves whether to smoke or not. We cannot force teens to stop or avoid smoking but we can do our best to educate the dangers in depth.
http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/hypertension
ReplyDeleteHypertension (high blood pressure) is a problem that affects many people. It's symptoms go unnoticed in most cases: 90-90% of people with hypertension don't know that they have it. It's dangerous because it makes the heart pump faster and work harder; if it goes on for long enough, the heart muscle may become stretched and enlarged, and as a result, may not be able to pump enough blood. It can result in heart attacks, arteriosclerosis (the hardening of the arteries), strokes, and kidney disease.
Some unnecessary risks that could result in hypertension involve obesity, an inactive lifestyle, and excessive alcohol consumption. These things could easily be prevented by an individual by exercising and drinking less. Some initiatives that could be put into place include limiting the amount of alcohol that can be purchased by an individual, and encouraging exercise and healthy living. Employers could reward their employees by giving out free gym passes.
In Canada, every 7 minutes someone dies from a heart disease or stroke, and this problem is costing the Canadian economy more than 20.9 billion dollars each year. Heart disease and strokes are caused from many different factors, some of which are genetic and can't be influenced by the individual. However, most factors that contribute to heart disease are a result of lifestyle choices, such as diet, exercise, smoking, stress, alcohol, and high blood pressure.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, the most pressing and common factor leading to heart disease is diet. Canadians consistently eat foods that are not part of one of the four food groups, and in fact get one fifth of their calories from such foods. Diets across the country are lacking the minimum recommended amounts of dairy products, fruits and vegetables, while exceeding the healthy amount of fats and sodium. The upper limit of sodium intake ranges from 1500mg and 2300mg depending on age, but a survey shows that people across Canada on average ingest around 3000mg of sodium per day. Fast food restaurants are a contributor to unhealthy eating choices, they provide cheap and fast meals, and people looking for convenience or who don't have a lot of money don't stop to think about the negative consequences. Fast food restaurants especially provide temptation to young people who are out with friends and looking to grab a tasty bite to eat. Healthy choices are much less accessible, and if found, are usually much more expensive.
In order to correct this problem, people first must be made aware of how common heart diseases are, and acknowledge that it could happen to them. This can be done by teaching healthy eating habits in elementary school, and since each child's diet is ultimately up to his or her parents, it would be important to get them involved as well. Healthy food choices should also be made available around communities, in every cluster of stores there is a fast food restaurant, yet it often takes quite a search to find a healthier option. Healthy meals that taste good and are easy to eat on the go should be made convenient and sold at a reasonable price so that they can be enjoyed by everyone.
http://www.heartandstroke.bc.ca/site/c.kpIPKXOyFmG/b.3644453/k.3454/Statistics.htm
Green Tea Extract: Morgans Marrs post...
ReplyDeleteCardiovascular disease is considered one of the leading causes of deaths for people in Canada. Statistics show one third of Canadians die every year relating to heart disease and strokes. It is evident that this disease is a significant problem which must be semi-resolved. There are a number of ways which have been suggested which would have a large effect on our population's health if implemented properly. However, there are also many subtle ways which can assist in improving heart health if done regularly. A small change to someone's daily life is more likely to be successful than that of a substantial change.
I believe it is appropriate to talk about the health benefits of green tea extract, as it has taken a large role in my everyday life (starbucks matcha drinks, yee, yee). A study was conducted with thirty-five people, all of whom are considered obese and suffer from Metabolic Syndrome (a condition defined by obesity, hypertension, and disturbed glucose and insulin metabolism which leads to both types of diabetes). The participants in a study consumed four cups of green tea or two capsules of green tea extract a day for eight weeks. The ones assigned to consume four cups of green tea a day reduced their amyloid alpha levels by 14%, and those who consumed two green tea extract capsules had an amyloid alpha level reduction of 24.6%. Amyloid alpha is a protein which has been linked to cause heart disease. By introducing something as minimal as green tea extract to someone's diet, an improvement in heart health can be made, working towards a healthier lifestyle.
For more green tea benefits, click on the following link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NEsAjrYDgQc
Sources:
http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/articles/heart-disease
http://www.nutraingredients.com/Research/Green-tea-extract-may-boost-heart-health-for-obese
Stressful tasks can cause an actual decrease in blood flow to the heart, mimicking what happens during a heart attack, though to a lesser extent. Studies by cardiologists have documented reductions in blood flow in response to stressful situations. The decrease in coronary blood flow that occurs with mental stress can be as great as with physical exertion.
ReplyDeletehttp://psychcentral.com/lib/2006/does-stress-cause-heart-disease/
http://www.heartandstroke.com/site/c.ikIQLcMWJtE/b.3484039/k.3548/Heart_disease__Reduce_your_stress.htm
In my opinion, this problem could be corrected pretty easily if people were more aware of the problem and what it can lead to. Then they could find ways to make their lives less stressful reducing their chances of heart disease. Stress can make it difficult to lead a healthy lifestyle as well. If you aren't eating healthy and aren't exercising then it also increases your chances of heart disease. Some people respond to stress by eating unhealthy, smoking, drinking alcohol, and overeating. If people were more aware then they could change their eating and exercising habits to reduce their risk. Stress is a pretty common factor in heart disease, but it is also in my opinion a pretty easy factor to reduce.
Second hand smoking
ReplyDeleteBy Michelle Tillack
Youths exposed to second-hand smoke at home are one-and-a-half to two times more likely to start smoking than those not exposed.
http://www.who.int/features/factfiles/tobacco/en/index.html
Smoking is dangerous for everyone. Even people how are smoking themselves. Second hand smoking is when someone breaths in the smoke that’s comes for cigarettes. That is not the only issue, when kids see their parents smoking they are more likely to end up smoking. Smoking can lead to lung cancer and may other diseases. If a woman inhales too much smoke, first or second hand, well pageant she is at risk of miscarriages, under weight babies, having a kid with lung problems or their child having SID (Sudden Infant Death syndrome). People that inhale lots of second hand smoke can get heart disease. They are also at a higher risk of lung cancer.
What can reduce heart disease?
I think that this problem could be reduced if people didn’t smoke especially in public places. If you out in public then just because one person wants a smoke, doesn’t mean that everyone around them does.
If I was the Health Minster/What I would do
If I was the health minister of Canada I would make the guide lines for smoking way harder. You wouldn’t be able to smoke in public around other people that didn’t smoke. There would be smoking area in places around town and that would be where people could smoke (and of course at their houses)
I focused my search mainly on women with cardiovascular diease. This is the main cause of death in America for women. Women will develop heart dieases ten years later then males. Atherosclerotic diseases, primarily myocardial infarction and stroke, are important causes of morbidity and mortality among women.Almost 62 million Americans have one or more types of cardiovascular disease and, of these, more than 32 million are female. This translates into an average of 1 in 5 women, making cardiovascular disease the leading killer of women in the U.S., responsible for more than half a million deaths a year. Factors that lead to heart dieases are smoking, lack of exercise, obesity and depression. Women can prevent risk by staying healthy and avoiding smoking and drinking alcohol. Daily physical activty is implimented at schools to help a build a routine for children to continue to stay fit even after grade schools.Due to an aging population, the absolute number of deaths due to cardiovascular diease in women is actually increasing.
ReplyDeleteSites :
http://circ.ahajournals.org/content/96/7/2468.short
Physical activity.
ReplyDeleteBy: Kelsey Steel
Cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of death for people in Canada. Statistics show 74,000 Canadians die of a heart attack each year, this is proof that cardiovascular disease strikes a huge problem in Canada today. There has been many suggestions on how to lower your risk of getting cardiovascular disease which could help Canada's population if people put the time and effort into lowering the chances. However, Canadians don't have the time of day to change their whole routine. A little minor change like physical activity can lower there chances of cardiovascular disease.
What Canada is lacking today is physical activity, only 15% of adults get the recommended physical activity a week and only 7 % of children get the physical activity they require (150 minutes). The greater population of Canada does little to no physical activity a week. I believe many Canadians are uneducated on how important physical activity is to our bodies and mostly our hearts. Cardiovascular disease is twice more likely to develop in inactive people. Being physically inactive is a risk factor for heart disease along with being overweight, 45% of Canadians are overweight with the lack of exercise. Every Canadian should do at least 30 minutes a day of physical activity, by exercising once a day you are reducing your chance of getting a heart disease by 61%. Canadians need to be more motivated to do physical activity, putting commercials on tv will do no good because they are laying on the couch just watching it. Physical activity may lower risks of heart disease but it also gives you more energy, reduces stress, and is proven to help you sleep better. It also lowers blood pressure and improves blood cholesterol. Physical activity is crustal not just to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease but also for our health.
If I were the health minister I would educate the public on how physical activity has many positive effects on our bodies and hearts. I would hold physical activity events to get Canadians involved in being more active. I would also bring gym into high school because you can never be to old to stay in shape. Physical activity is to important to just ignore.
Sources:
http://rhinofitnesslivehealthy.blogspot.ca/2010/03/canadians-are-overweight-out-of-shape.html
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/health-and-fitness/statscan-report-says-many-canadians-not-as-active-as-they-think/article562605
Despite recent efforts to promote healthier eating and living in Canada, childhood obesity rates are still climbing. According to Statistics Canada, one in four Canadian children is overweight. In response to the government's efforts to combat obesity, a new trend of "healthy living" has emerged, most notably at major fast food chains.
ReplyDeleteThe Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine found major flaws in the nutrition of these "healthy" alternatives that you may be feeding your child. According to these shocking findings, the following lists of children's meals are all-stars in the field of poor nutrition:
• McDonald's Cheeseburger Happy Meal
• Burger King Kid's Meal
• Denny's Build Your Own Junior Grand Slam
• KFC Kid's Meal
The results of this examination of nutrition indicate that the McDonald's Cheeseburger Happy Meal, with the substitution of apple slices, as to fries, reportedly has more sodium content than 13 orders of McDonald's kid-sized fries. The Burger King Kid's Meal has 95 milligrams of cholesterol, which is equivalent to six pieces of fatty bacon. Denny's Build Your Own Junior Grand Slam contains 100 milligrams more sodium content then the government's daily recommended allowance for kids. Lastly, the KFC Kid's Meal clocks in at 800 calories, with a salty 1800 milligrams of sodium!
http://www.bccf.ca/professionals/blog/2012-07/false-advertisement-contributes-childhood-obesity
I believe that the problem of quite simply of false advertisement is affecting this society improperly. The problem of this could be solved if there was more media coverage of the issues to fast food. There should be public speakers that go into elementary schools to speak to both parents and students. This would at least give parents and children the knowledge of what they are eating and what they could eat as a healthy alternative. A way the government could help is by lowering taxes on healthy food and to create stricter rules the fast food industry must abide to in order for the correlation between fast food and obesity to go down. Parents should also educate their children from an early age the effects of pop and junk food. As part of the teenage age group I acknowledge that children of a younger age seek interest in what older kids are interested in and we should lead by example and buy healthy alternatives.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteAccording to the Heart and Stroke Foundation website, in 2008 18% of Canadians (approximately 4.9 million) of the age 15 years and older, smoke. The average amount of cigarettes consumed was 14.9 per day. That is about 5040 cigarettes per year per person. Smoking has a major influence on health, and contributes to more than 37,000 deaths/year in Canada. 11,000 of these are heart disease and stroke related. Not only are cigarettes affecting the ones who initially inhale their toxic fumes, but are also inhibiting others who are simply exposed to the second hand smoke. Around 6,300 non-smokers die from being exposed to second-hand smoke. Stated within the stats of the Heart and Stroke Foundation, smoking is responsible for 14.54% of all heart disease and stroke deaths. Studies have shown that within one year of quitting, risk of death from smoking related heart problems is halved. After 10 years, risk of dying from lung cancer is reduced by 50% as well. Smoking is one of the most terrible things one could do to the human body. The following can be found within a single cigarette; 43 known carcinogens (cancer causing substances), nicotine (highly addictive), tar, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, ammonia, hydrogen cyanide, arsenic, and DDT. The question everyone asks is, “why would someone put their body through something like that?” Many resort to the answer that it reduces stress... but is heart disease and worth that? If people were more aware of the effects of cigarettes on the cardiovascular system, they could look for different ways to cope for the things they resort to smoking with. Smoking can cause huge problems in the heart and the human body in general. I believe that people are refusing to look for other, more natural and effective methods to cope with everyday stress and are resorting to the easier and more harmful solutions.
ReplyDeleteSources:
http://www.heartandstroke.bc.ca/site/c.kpIPKXOyFmG/b.3644453/k.3454/Statistics.htm#smoking
http://www.quitsmokingsupport.com/whatsinit.htm
Physical activity is a major component in heart health. It helps to reduce the chance of developing conditions that put a strain on your heart such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, diabetes, obesity, and stress levels. A person who is physically inactive has a greater risk when it comes to heart attacks. If every person did at least 30 – 60 minutes of moderately intense activity per day, their risks for heart disease could be drastically reduced. Almost half of Canadians age 12 and over are said to be physically inactive. 52.5% of Canadian women ages 12 and over are physically inactive, and among Canadian men ages 12 and over, 46.5% are physically inactive. From going from being physically inactive to starting to exercise on a regular basis, you can reduce your heart attack risk by 35 - 55%. Sports and physical recreations are a great way to keep in shape, have fun, and they contribute to a healthy lifestyle. People of all ages should be involved in such activities. These are a great stepping stone to becoming a healthier person, and maintaining proper heart health. 30 minutes a day working out or going for a run takes the same amount of time as watching one T.V. show. The majority of Canadians are more than able to fit this into their schedule. Whether it’s a sports team, or any other physical activity, exercise is a great way to build up a healthy heart and reduce the risk of heart attacks.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.heartandstroke.com/site/c.ikIQLcMWJtE/b.3483991/k.34A8/Statistics.htm
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/heart-disease-prevention/WO00041
New studies have claimed that alcohol consumption can actually benefit you in reducing the risk of being diagnosed with heart disease. By alcohol consumption meaning small portions of it not at an excessive amount where factors such as liver damage, cardiomyopathy,thrombosis and high blood pressure come into play, which can have the opposite effect by increasing your risk of heart disease. There is evidence to suggest that a regular pattern of drinking relatively small amounts of alcohol (one or two times in a week) reduces the risk of heart disease in men over the age over 40 and post menopausal woman.Data from 20 countries shows a 20 to 40% lower incidence of heart disease among drinkers compared with nondrinkers. Scientists are still not fully aware of how alcohol demonstrates a positive effect on heart disease with it having so many negative effects on the short-term and long-term bodily functions, but there are a number of possible mechanisms. These mechanisms can include alcohol being in involved with preventing artery damage. Researchers found that limited amounts of alcohol improves elasticity in your arteries, due to low elasticity in the arteries resulting in a rise in blood pressure therefore reducing the odds of heat disease. Along with alcohol preventing blood clots by breaking up the body’s natural blood-clotters (platelets) and/or by decreasing the ‘stickiness’ of blood and its overall anti-coagulating effect it can further prevent heart disease. Also including the factor that alcohol may help prevent the narrowing of coronary arteries, allowing blood to flow more freely meaning a lower risk in a heart attacks which has an immense effect on the prevention of heart disease. This proposal that alcohol helps prevent heart disease comes with many limitations referring to the amount of alcohol, your age and health condition, but by following the guidelines alcohol can have a proven positive effect in reducing the overall risk of heat disease.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.drinkaware.co.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/17815/Heart-Disease_final.pdf
“Heart problems are the leading cause of death among people with diabetes, especially in the case of adult-onset or Type II diabetes (also known as non-insulin-dependent diabetes). Certain racial and ethnic groups (African Americans, Hispanics, Asian and Pacific Islanders, and Native Americans) have a greater risk of developing diabetes. The American Heart Association estimates that 65% of patients with diabetes die of some form of cardiovascular disease”
ReplyDeleteIn today’s society the sugar intake has skyrocketed above the minimum needed amount. Americans today are consuming on average 22 teaspoons of sugar a day. This is fair greater than or border line of 6 teaspoons an average American should only have per day. By ignoring the guidelines one is potentially putting one’s self in harm of heart diseases or diabetes. Results have showed that sugar is positively correlated with the worsening of diseases. The amount of sugar intake is one of the leading causes of overweight children. When one intakes a large amount of sugar in the bloodstream a hormone called insulin is triggered to burn off the excess sugar. The sugar is chained together to form amino acids in which they are stored for long term use as fat. Being overweight can cause heart different types of cardiovascular diseases.
By limiting the amount of sugar excess fat could be lost. With a healthy diet and exercise one would lower their chances in getting cardiovascular diseases. By promoting healthier choices and eliminating unhealthy food Americans can maintain a healthier body. If one has diabetes one should visit a doctor regularity to gain good control on their blood sugar levels and reduce the risk. Healthier food should be brought into children’s diets. School should insist on healthy lunches and maintain a physical activity period every day. Everyone should be educated on how they can become healthier and have access to healthier choices. Young children should not be exposed to unhealthy food advertisements due to the negative influence gained towards nutritional products. The way advertisements are showed creates a sub-conscious craving for that particular food. If we are able to limit the unhealthy food advertisements that perhaps children wouldn't be as influenced.
http://chinese-school.netfirms.com/heart-disease-causes.html
http://circ.ahajournals.org/content/106/4/523.long
In our generation, heart disease is a big problem. Looking at the facts listed above, every 7 minutes someone dies from heart disease or stroke. But what about the upcoming generations? What can we do to try and prevent this trend of disease?
ReplyDeleteAbout 1 in every 100 babies born has some form of heart defect. These heart defects range from a tiny hole that will never require treatment, to a life-threatening heart defect in which blood carrying oxygen and nutrients is pumped throughout the body, and heart transplant is needed.
Between July 1, 2008 and June 30, 2009, there were about 378,000 babies born in Canada. About 100,000 adults in Canada who, as children, had surgery to correct congenital heart defects.
A congenital heart defect (CHD) is a heart problem which is present at birth, caused by improper development of the heart during fetal development. There are many factors that can cause CHD, but if the expectant mother has some type of heart disease, this can be passed on to the baby. This is why it is especially important for us to try and prevent and treat heart disease so it doesn't get passed on to the next generation.
Pregnant women who have a history of heart disease in their family can take precautions for the health of their baby. Some things they can do are:
• Take a daily folic acid multivitamin, starting before pregnancy
• Go for a preconception visit with your health provider. Things to be watchful for are rubella, and discussing whether any current medications or eating habits need to be changed
• Avoid people who have the flu or other illnesses with fever
• Avoid exposure to organic solvents, used in products such as paints, varnishes and degreasing/cleaning agents
I think that there are many things you can do to help and prevent heart disease. Simple tasks like exercising at least 30 minutes a day, eating a healthy diet and not smoking are the three biggest things that you can do to help with prevention. Keeping yourself healthy even before you get pregnant can help and reduce many birth defects, not just CHD, as well as keeping your baby healthy too.
Sources:
http://www.heartandstroke.com/site/c.ikIQLcMWJtE/b.3483991/k.34A8/Statistics.htm
http://www.marchofdimes.com/baby/birthdefects_congenitalheart.html
ReplyDeleteCouple of the leading causes of heart disease is stress and high blood pressure (hypertension). Nearly a quarter of Canadians report a high degree of stress level (23%), and more than a quarter of Canadian women from 45 to 64 report a high degree of stress level (26%).
Natives and Ancient Chinese used methods that are different from ours and we could still possibly use today. Heart Diseases have been around for hundreds and thousands of years, Randal Thompson of the St. Luke's Mid America heart Institute in Kansas city has stated "this disease has been around since before the time of Moses". These methods won't per say stop heart diseases from occurring but it will help prevent them.
Natives used natural herbs like Crataegus Oxycantha (Hawthorn), Passiflora Incarnate, Viburnum Opulus, and Ginkgo Biloba to help prevent heart diseases. To promote heart and health and recovery of heart diseases and assist in treating underlying triggers of heart condition like stress and high blood pressure.
Traditional Chinese medical theory obstruction in the heart vessel usually causes pain. Vessel could be blocked by phlegm which obstructs the Yang qi or blood stasis due to qi deficiency or qi stagnation
1. OBSTRUCTION OF THE YANG QI DUE TO ACCUMULATION OF PHLEGM
-Trichosanthes: fruit eliminates phlegm and reverse the ascending of the qi
-Chinese Chive: warms and activates yang qi in the chest and relieves pain
-White liquor decoction: acts as a guide drug
2. BLOOD STASIS IS CAUSED BY QI DEFICIENCY INVIGORATE QI AND PROMOTE BLOOD CIRCULATION
-astragalus root (huang qi) invigorates qi and promote blood circulation and strengthens effects of other ingredients
-tangkuei (dang gui)
-red peiony root (chi shao)
-earth worm (di long)
-ligusticum root (chuan xiong)
-each kernel (tao ren)
-carthamus flower (hong hua)
3. BLOOD STASIS CAUSED BY QI STAGNATION
-activate qi and remove blood stasis
-bitter orange and bupleurum root activate stagnated qi
-platycodon root acts as a guide drug and promote blood circulation and remove blood stasis, tangkuei, fresh rehmannia root, peach kernel, carthamus flower, red peony root, licorice root, ligusticum root, achranthes root.
These natural remedies to preventing heart disease will not stop it completely but the ancient Chinese and natives used them to promote their health and they were capable of living a long lived life. The antibiotics we use today are far better from before but this is an alternative if cannot take those antibiotics or do not want to take them for any reason.
Websites used:
http://www.tcmtreatment.com/images/diseases/heartdisease.htm
http://www.nativeremedies.com/ailment/heart-disease-symptoms.html
http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/49717/description/Mummies_reveal_heart_disease_plagued_ancient_Egyptians
The effect of alcohol on health and heart disease is complex. For some people, even mild alcohol use carries major risks, and it has been proven that long-term heavy alcohol consumption can cause weakness of the heart and high blood pressure.
ReplyDeleteHowever, for others, moderate alcohol use may offer a degree of protection. There is reason to believe this because alcohol can improve blood lipid profile, decrease thrombosis (blood clotting), reduce coronary artery spasm in response to stress, increase coronary blood flow, reduce blood insulin level, and increase estrogen levels.
Consumption of one or two drinks per day is associated with a reduction in risk of heart disease from 30% to 50%.
Heart disease is the largest cause of death in the United States and many other countries. Therefore, some physicians have suggested that patients be informed of the potential health benefits of drinking alcohol in moderation.
Sources:
http://chinese-school.netfirms.com/heart-disease-causes.html
http://www.medicinenet.com/heart_disease/article.htm
http://www2.potsdam.edu/hansondj/HealthIssues/20070705131424.html
There are so many factors that can cause one to develop cardiovascular desease, factors such as; smoking, physical inactivity, excessive stress, being overweight, or simply having a family history of heart disease. All of these things can affect your heart and its proper functions.
ReplyDeleteTo avoid developing cardiovascular disease, make your lifestyle a healthy one. Avoid things such as smoking, and fast food. But make an effort to be active and get at least an hour of activity every day, as well as eating well, don't go on any 'miracle diets' if you want to lose weight. Instead, choose healthier options for your meals, eat whole grain bread instead of white. Walk or bike to work or school instead of driving. Try to avoid stressful situations, before making any rash decisions that could lead to greater stress, count to ten and take a deep breath.
So remember, if you want to avoid heart disease. It is important to lead a healthy, happy life.
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hc-ps/dc-ma/heart-coeur-eng.php
According to the World Health Organization, cardiovascular disease causes 12 million deaths in the world each year. Cardiovascular disease is responsible for half of all deaths in the United States and other developed countries, and it is a main cause of death in many developing countries as well. Overall, it is the leading cause of death in adults. In the United States, more than 60 million Americans have some form of cardiovascular disease. About 2600 people die every day of cardiovascular disease. Cancer, the second largest killer, accounts for only half as many deaths.
ReplyDeleteIf you are obese, you smoke, or you have high blood cholesterol levels along with high blood pressure, your risk of heart disease or stroke greatly increases.
I think people should take into more consideration about how easy it is to get a heart condition. Living a heathy life should be a main aspect in someones life. Something as easy as trying to quit smoking or cutting down on fast foods or limiting alcohol use and reducing your stress. Physical activity should be apart of your life as well even if you just workout or go for a run twice a week. I feel like if more people just took some time to do little things like this more then they do the risk of heart disease would decrease.
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http://www.heartandstroke.com/site/c.ikIQLcMWJtE/b.3484067/k.6657/Heart_disease__What_is_coronary_artery_disease.htm