Thursday 30 August 2018

Some different ways to handle stress

Stress isn't just a minor annoyance; it's actually a pretty major health hazard. Chronic stress can contribute to issues such as headaches, sleep disturbances, high blood pressure, and weakened immunity. It can also lead to serious health conditions such as depression, obesity, and heart disease.

Some habits listed below help them to be stress-free.

  • Calm morning: A smoother morning equals less stress all the day.
  • Clean workplace: A clear workplace = A clear mind.
  • Breathing: A deep breath is a scientifically proven method of recentering the mind and bringing it to focus faster.
  • Diverting: When too much stressed just move away from the place, take a walk, have a cup of coffee, talk to someone and divert the mind.
  • Move out: When there is too much stress in work environment. Moving out and having a 10 minutes fresh air walk freshens the mind.
  • Posture: The way you sit also can help you in a positive way to ease your mind. When you put your head and spine up it is informing a way that everything is under control.
  • No chocolates: Sounds strange but important fact to know. Intake of sugar when the mind is stressed increases anxiety and stress than reducing it.
  • Thoughts: Being positive and always confessing positive thoughts can improve the situation from worse to better.
  • Funny video: Laughing out loud is at times the best medicine to stressed mind. Thus, watch some funny videos and laugh out well.

Wednesday 29 August 2018

Blood Pressure and Cholesterol-lowering Drugs Continue to Improve Survival After a Decade

Patients in their mid-60s with high blood pressure were less likely to die from heart disease or stroke by age 75-80 if they had taken both calcium channel blocker-based blood pressure lowering treatment and a statin. Patients with high blood pressure and three or more additional risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

Patients who took a newer blood pressure lowering treatment (based on a calcium channel blocker) for 5.5 years were 29 percent less likely to have died from a stroke 10 years later than those taking an older regimen (based on a beta-blocker). There was a non-significant trend towards 10 percent fewer cardiovascular deaths with the newer therapy. We have previously shown that statins confer long-term survival benefits after trials have stopped, but this is the first time it has been found with a blood pressure treatment, says the researcher.

The findings provide further support for the use of an effective blood pressure lowering therapy plus a statin in most patients with high blood pressure. 

  • A main objective of the initial ASCOT trial was to find out whether a new treatment strategy for high blood pressure was more effective in preventing heart attacks than an old strategy. Patients with high blood pressure were randomly allocated to:
    • The new treatment of amlodipine (a calcium channel blocker) plus perindopril (an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor) if needed to achieve the target blood pressure; or
    • The old therapy of atenolol (a beta-blocker) plus bendroflumethiazide (a diuretic) and potassium if needed.

The medicines were taken for a median of 5.5 years when the trial was stopped because the newer treatment prevented more strokes and deaths.
  • A second aim of the trial was to discover if a statin would provide added protection against coronary heart disease in patients with high blood pressure and cholesterol levels below 6.5 mmol/L. Patients with a blood cholesterol level of 6.5 mmol/l or less were randomly allocated to atorvastatin or placebo for 3.3 years when the trial was prematurely stopped because atorvastatin prevented more heart attacks and strokes.
  • A third aim of the trial was to evaluate the effectiveness of the newer versus older blood pressure lowering treatment in patients with high blood pressure and high cholesterol (above 6.5 mmol/l).



Tuesday 28 August 2018

Benefits of Kiwi in control of Hypertension

High blood pressure risk could be lowered by making some diet or lifestyle changes. You could lower your risk of hypertension symptoms by adding this cheap, exotic fruit to your breakfast routine.
Eating kiwi fruit every day is a great way to slash your odds of high blood pressure, scientists have claimed.

Adding three kiwis to your daily routine could lower your blood pressure, according to Norwegian scientists.

It could reduce blood pressure by as much as 3.6/1.9mmHg, they revealed. The fruit is rich in vitamin C, which could be causing the improved blood pressure in patients, the scientists added.

To gain the benefits, you should eat three kiwi fruits every day for eight weeks, they claimed.
“Kiwifruit contains bioactive substances that may lower blood pressure and improve endothelial function,” said the researchers in the 2015 study.


“Among men and women with moderately elevated blood pressure, intake of three kiwi fruits was associated with lower systolic and diastolic 24-hour blood pressure compared with one apple a day.”



Monday 27 August 2018

Deep forehead wrinkles, more than what is typical for your age, may signal a higher risk of dying of a cardiovascular disease.

The most common types of cardiovascular diseases include coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, cardiac arrest, congestive heart failure, arrhythmia, peripheral artery disease, stroke, and congenital heart disease.

According to the study by the European Society of Cardiology, assessing brow wrinkles could be an easy, low-cost way to identify people in a high-risk category for cardiovascular disease. “We explored forehead wrinkles as a marker because it’s so simple and visual. Just looking at a person’s face could sound an alarm, then we could give advice to lower risk.”

Risk of heart disease increases as people age, but lifestyle changes like getting more exercise or eating healthier food can lower the risks.


“Of course, if you have a person with a potential cardiovascular risk, you have to check classical risk factors like blood pressure as well as lipid and blood glucose levels, but you could already share some recommendations on lifestyle factors,” Esquirol added.


Saturday 25 August 2018

High blood pressure warning - do you see this sign in your eyes? Symptoms revealed

HIGH blood pressure symptoms include headaches, chest pain and finding blood in urine. You could also be at risk of hypertension signs if you see these “floaters”.

High blood pressure affects more than 25 percent of all UK adults.

The condition, which is also known as hypertension, puts extra pressure on blood vessels and vital organs. It’s not always possible to know if someone is at risk of high blood pressure. But, some symptoms may become visible if the patient has extremely high blood pressure.

Seeing floaters could be a warning sign of hypertension, according to Superdrug. Floaters are dots or lines in the eyes that you can see. They may appear as small dark dots, squiggly lines, rings or cobwebs, said the NHS.

You could be at risk of high blood pressure if you see floaters and they’re obstructing your vision.
“It is unlikely what you're experiencing is symptoms of high blood pressure,” said Superdrug.

Other high blood pressure symptoms include headaches and dizziness. Facial flushing, nosebleeds, nausea, and palpitations could also be signs of hypertension.

Controlling your blood pressure is crucial, as hypertension increases the risk of some deadly conditions, including heart attacks and strokes.



Thursday 23 August 2018

High cholesterol early in life boosts heart disease risk

"High cholesterol at younger ages means there will be a greater burden of cardiovascular disease as these individuals age. This research highlights the need to educate Americans of any age on the risks of elevated cholesterol, and ways to keep cholesterol at a healthy level throughout life."

A new study — the findings of which appear in the journal Circulation — suggests that people with high levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol early in life may experience an increased lifetime risk of death related to cardiovascular disease (CVD).

LDL cholesterol can increase cardiovascular risk at high levels because it leads to lipid buildup in the arteries, which can affect the blood flow to and from the heart.

Specifically, the researchers wanted to find out whether individuals currently considered at low risk of CVD or CHD for the coming 10 years may benefit from learning about their cholesterol levels earlier in life and keeping them in check so as to prevent the development of complications.
Article by Dr. Robert Eckel, the former president of the American Heart Association (AHA)



Wednesday 22 August 2018

Dairy Products and Health Benefits

Dairy fat may prevent heart disease, stroke

To study the effect of dairy on mortality risk and cardiovascular health, Dr. Mozaffarian and team examined over 2,900 U.S. seniors, aged 65 and above.
The researchers measured the participants’ blood plasma levels of three fatty acids contained by dairy products at the beginning of the study in 1992, 6 years later, and then 13 years later.
Associations with “total mortality, cause-specific mortality, and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk” were examined.

Refer: https://goo.gl/bK8DgT
To share your views: https://goo.gl/A9P2UQ

Tuesday 21 August 2018

How eating mushrooms may improve blood sugar control

Increasing consumption of whole, unprocessed foods, like mushrooms, appears to decrease the risk of obesity and overall mortality, diabetes, and heart disease.

They also promote a healthy complexion and hair, increased energy, and overall lower weight.
  • Diabetes

Studies have shown that people with type 1 diabetes who consume high-fiber diets have lower blood glucose levels and people with type 2 diabetes may have improved blood sugar, lipids and insulin levels.

One cup of grilled portabella mushrooms and one cup of stir-fried shiitake mushrooms both provide about 3 grams of fiber. Fiber also benefits the digestive system and reduces the risk of heart disease and metabolic syndrome.

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend 21 grams to 25 grams a day of fiber for women and 30 grams to 38 grams a day for men.
  • Heart health

The fiber, potassium and vitamin C content in mushrooms all contribute to cardiovascular health. Potassium and sodium work together in the body to help regulate blood pressure. Consuming mushrooms, which are high in potassium and low in sodium, helps to lower blood pressure and decrease the risk of high blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases.

Additionally, an intake of 3 grams of beta-glucans per day can lower blood cholesterol levels by 5 percent.3 The stem of the shiitake mushrooms is a particularly good source of beta-glucans.

Mushrooms are high in antioxidants, selenium and Vitamin D and low in fat, and calories. Eating Mushrooms can benefit health by inhibiting the growth of cancer cells, regulating blood pressure, and improving immune response. But, eating wild mushrooms can be dangerous.

A new study looks at how eating a common type of mushroom can affect glucose, or blood sugar, regulation. The results may have implications for managing diabetes and other metabolic conditions, such as obesity.

Researchers working in various departments at Pennsylvania State University have recently conducted a study on mice.

They wanted to investigate the effects of white button mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus) as prebiotics.

In a mouse model, the scientists were able to map out how white button mushrooms modify the gut microbiota, ultimately leading to improved glucose regulation in the mice's systems.

In diabetes, our bodies do not produce enough of the hormone insulin, which helps regulate blood sugar levels. Insulin helps transfer glucose from the blood and into the cells, to provide them with energy. It also places excess glucose "into storage," so to speak, so that it can be converted into energy as it is needed.
The researchers wanted to see whether white button mushrooms could influence the production of glucose in the body, and if so, how.
The researchers fed all the mice a daily serving of white button mushrooms, which is equivalent to about 3 ounces of mushrooms per day for humans.
They found that the mice with gut microbiomes experienced changes in their populations of gut microbes. In particular, their guts produced more short-chain fatty acids, such as propionate synthesized from succinate.
The findings suggest that white button mushrooms, as a prebiotic food, could be used in the future to manage diabetes, due to the role that they seem to play in glucogenesis.
Moreover, Cantorna and team note that their new study confirms the important link between the foods in our diet and the bacterial populations in our gut.





Monday 20 August 2018

Compounds in Monster Raddish could help tame CVD

Step aside carrots, onions, and broccoli. The newest heart-healthy vegetable could be a gigantic, record-setting radish. Scientists report that compounds found in the Sakurajima Daikon, or 'monster,' radish could help protect coronary blood vessels and potentially prevent heart disease and stroke. The finding could lead to the discovery of similar substances in other vegetables and perhaps lead to new drug treatments.

Radishes are good sources of antioxidants and reportedly can reduce high blood pressure and the threat of clots, a pair of risk factors for heart attack and stroke. But to date, no studies have directly compared the heart-health benefits of the Sakurajima Daikon to other radishes. To address this knowledge gap, Katsuko Kajiya and colleagues sought to find out what effects this radish would have on nitric oxide production, a key regulator of coronary blood vessel function, and to determine its underlying mechanisms. Using fluorescence microscopy and other analytical techniques, the research team found the Sakurajima Daikon radish induced more nitric oxide production in these vascular cells than a smaller Japanese radish. They also identified trigonelline, a plant hormone, as the active component in Sakurajima Daikon that appears to promote a cascade of changes in coronary blood vessels resulting in improved nitric oxide production.

GR & CVD

Saturday 18 August 2018

Heart diseases gravely risky for both genders: Here's how cardiac attacks affect men and women differently

Heart diseases have emerged as the leading cause of fatalities in men and women world over and also in India. The risk of heart diseases in both sexes is grave, but heart diseases affect men and women differently.  Over one crore annual deaths are reported in India and cardiovascular diseases (CVD) cause 20.3 percent deaths in men and 16.9 percent deaths in women. Despite having a lower mortality rate than men, reports have often suggested that women are more at risk of CVD related deaths.  

Dr. Vanita Arora of Max Super Specialty Hospital has listed the following points: 
  • Cholesterol Blockages
  • Deposits in small arteries that causes major risk
  • Lifestyle changes and their effects
  • Stress Coping Mechanisms


The differences in symptoms:



Men and women experience some of the heart disease-related symptoms differently. Men typically get the classic pattern of angina with pain in the left side of the chest, while women are more likely to have atypical angina, wherein they experience discomfort in the shoulders, back, and neck. 

According to Dr. Amit Gupta of Columbia Asia Hospital, Gurugram, medical researchers and scientists around the world are trying to identify possible association of how cardiac diseases manifest differently in men and women, in order to customize healthcare solutions for both genders and also to educate them with appropriate preventive measures. 

The fundamentals of cardiac health as per the present results remain the same. It is important that associated factors such as obesity, hypertension, and high cholesterol levels are managed, diabetes is prevented, and consumption of alcohol and tobacco is avoided. What is needed instead is increased physical activity and healthy dietary patterns, as these factors are important for both sexes, concluded Gupta. 


Thursday 9 August 2018

Red Wine and Hypertension

Benefits

Research indicates that red wine can boost a range of health factors. Several of these are based on the presence of resveratrol, a compound that is believed to offer a number of benefits.
Resveratrol is a compound that some plants produce to fight off bacteria and fungi and to protect against ultraviolet (UV) irradiation. The resveratrol in wine comes from the skins of red grapes. Blueberries, cranberries, and peanuts are also sources of resveratrol, and it is available in supplement form. Evidence suggests that in some forms, resveratrol may boost cardiovascular health, protect against cancer, and help treat acne, among others. Red wine contains resveratrol, but it may not be the best way to consume it, because the intake of alcohol brings its own risks.

high-blood-pressure-symptom-hypertension-food-diet-932371

1. Gut microbiome and cardiovascular health


Resveratrol may improve heart health in various ways. In 2016, researchers suggested that it could reduce the risk of heart disease through the way it affects the gut microbiome.

2. Raising levels of omega-3 fatty acids


A little alcoholic drink and especially red wine appear to boost levels of omega-3 fatty acids in plasma and red blood cells. Omega-3 fatty acids, believed to protect against heart disease, are usually derived from eating fish. Researchers found that, in 1,604 adult participants, regular, moderate wine drinking was linked to higher blood levels of omega-3 fatty acids.

3. Heart health and type-2 diabetes


One study has shown that drinking a glass of red wine with dinner "modestly decreases cardiometabolic risk" in people with type-2 diabetes and that a moderate intake of red wine is safe. The scientists believe that the ethanol in wine plays a key role in metabolizing glucose and that the nonalcoholic ingredients may also contribute. They call for more research to confirm the findings. Anyone with diabetes should check with their doctor before consuming alcohol.

4. Healthy blood vessels and blood pressure


In 2006, scientists from the United Kingdom (U.K.) found that procyanidins, compounds commonly found in red wine, help keep the blood vessels healthy. Traditional production methods appear to be most effective in extracting the compounds, leading to higher levels of procyanidins in the wine. Many people find an alcoholic drink relaxes them, but results published in 2012 indicate that non-alcoholic red wine, too, can reduce blood pressure. This could be a more healthful option.

5. Reducing risk of depression


A team of researchers from Spain reported in 2013 that drinking wine may reduce the risk of depression. A study of data for around 5,500 men and women aged from 55 to 80 years over a 7-year period showed that those who drank between two and seven glasses of wine each week were less likely to receive a diagnosis of depression, even after taking lifestyle factors into consideration.

Cautions

Wine consumption may have some health benefits, but drinking too much of any kind of alcoholic drink increases the risk of:
Many other chronic diseases can result from excessive alcohol consumption.

Monday 6 August 2018

Study suggests breast cancer treatment could trigger heart disease risk

A new study has suggested that women who have survived breast cancer could be at risk of developing heart disease, due to the treatments used for cancer.
Research conducted by the Netherlands Cancer Institute tracked 14,645 breast cancer patients between 1970 and 2009.
Scientists examined their risk of heart disease and found that those who had undergone radiotherapy and chemotherapy were at a higher risk of a cardiac arrest or heart failure.
11% of women who had undergone radiotherapy of the lymph nodes during their breast cancer treatment went on to develop some kind of heart disease. On the other hand, just 6% of women who had undergone different treatments were found to develop the disease.
The study also found that in the patients who had undergone radiotherapy, the rate of heart attacks was 50% higher than that of the general population.
The study also produced findings of the effects of chemotherapy on heart disease too. Researchers found that women who had received anthracycline-based chemotherapy experienced four times the rate of heart failure than patients who received other treatment.
More modern methods of radiotherapy are now used too, which are thought to provide a reduced risk to the heart. However, researchers also stated that the risks have improved over time. They noted that women are now regularly given a drug called taxane along with their treatment, to reduce the risks of heart disease.





Friday 3 August 2018

Population Health Intervention Ups Hypertension Control by 6%

Adopting data-driven risk stratification and population health management techniques in safety-net settings can boost hypertension control and reduce care disparities.



Improving hypertension control is a high priority in healthcare. According to the researchers, controlling blood pressure (BP) rates in US hypertension patients could prevent 56,000 cardiovascular events, 13,000 deaths, and save the healthcare industry $4.5 billion annually.

Despite the broad availability of clinical guidelines, the team noted that over 40 percent of US patients have blood pressure rates above recommended goals.

These clinics mainly provide care to minorities and low-income patients, many of whom have disproportionately high rates of hypertension. The CDC reports that the condition is most prevalent in black males, and that black individuals are twice as likely to die from uncontrolled hypertension as whites are. The team adapted the KPNC hypertension control intervention and implemented the strategy in a network of 12 safety-net clinics to evaluate its impact on BP control rates, as well as its effects on racial and ethnic subgroups.

The adapted program consisted of four key elements, including a patient registry to identify chronic disease patients and highlight gaps in care and an evidence-based treatment intensification protocol.

The program also featured a standardized BP measurement protocol and BP check visits

In addition, the use of fixed-dose combination drugs increased from 11 percent to 14 percent at the pilot site, and from 10 to 13 percent at the other 11 organizations. This is an important improvement, the researchers noted, as fixed-dose combination medications are associated with better BP control and lower costs.

“Our findings can inform adoption of best practices to improve BP control at safety-net clinics which must play a pivotal role in achieving nation-wide improvements in BP control and reducing socioeconomic disparities in hypertension.”

Article by Jessica Kent

A lot more updated news and treatment methods are shared in Hypertension 2018. You wish to be a part then visit: https://bit.ly/2wU6334



Hypertension 2018 Highlights

2018 Highlights: 
  • 200+ Participation
  • 9+ Keynote Speakers
  • 30+ Plenary Speakers
  • 3+ Exhibitory
  • 14 Innovative Educational Sessions
  • B2B Meetings

Conference Opportunities:

For Researchers and Faculty Members:
  • Speaker Presentations 
  • Poster Display 
  • Symposium hosting (4-5 member team)         
  • Workshop organizing  

For Universities, Associations & Societies:
  • Association Partnering
  • Collaboration proposals          
  • Academic Partnering   
  • Group Participation

For Students and Research Scholars:
  • Poster Competition (Winner will get Best Poster Award)        
  • Young Researcher Forum (YRF Award to the best presenter) 
  • Student Attendee        
  • Group Registrations

For Business Delegates:
  • Speaker Presentations 
  • Symposium hosting    
  • Book Launch event    
  • Networking opportunities       
  • Audience participation

For Product Manufacturers:
  • Exhibitor and Vendor Booths
  • Sponsorships opportunities
  • Product launch
  • Workshop organizing
  • Scientific Partnering
  • Marketing and Networking with clients




Thursday 2 August 2018

Dark Chocolate and Hypertension

Powerful Source of Antioxidants

ORAC stands for “oxygen radical absorbance capacity.” It is a measure of the antioxidant activity of foods. Basically, researchers set a bunch of free radicals (bad) against a sample of a food and see how well the antioxidants in the food can "disarm" the radicals. The biological relevance of ORAC values is questioned because it's measured in a test tube and may not have the same effect in the body. However, it is worth mentioning that raw, unprocessed cocoa beans are among the highest-scoring foods that have been tested. Dark chocolate is loaded with organic compounds that are biologically active and function as antioxidants. These include polyphenols, flavanols, and catechins, among others. One study showed that cocoa and dark chocolate had more antioxidant activity, polyphenols, and flavanols than any other fruits tested, which included blueberries and acai berries

May Improve Blood Flow and Lower Blood Pressure

The flavanols in dark chocolate can stimulate the endothelium, the lining of arteries, to produce nitric oxide (NO). One of the functions of NO is to send signals to the arteries to relax, which lowers the resistance to blood flow and therefore reduces blood pressure. Many controlled studies show that cocoa and dark chocolate can improve blood flow and lower blood pressure, though the effects are usually mild.

May Reduce Heart Disease Risk.


The compounds in dark chocolate appear to be highly protective against the oxidation of LDL. In the long term, this should cause much less cholesterol to lodge in the arteries, resulting in a lower risk of heart disease, in fact, several long-term observational studies show a fairly drastic improvement. In a study of 470 elderly men, cocoa was found to reduce the risk of death from heart disease by a whopping 50% over a 15-year period. Another study revealed that eating chocolate two or more times per week lowered the risk of having calcified plaque in the arteries by 32%. Eating chocolate less frequently had no effect. Yet another study showed that eating dark chocolate more than 5 times per week lowered the risk of heart disease by 57%. Of course, these three studies are observational studies, so can’t prove that it was the chocolate that reduced the risk. However, since the biological process is known (lower blood pressure and oxidized LDL), it is plausible that regularly eating dark chocolate may reduce the risk of heart disease.


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Wednesday 1 August 2018

Scientific Program _ Hypertension 2018

Hypertension 2018 welcomes attendees, presenters, and exhibitors from all over the world to Toronto, Canada. We are delighted to invite you all to attend and register for the “3rd Annual Conference on Hypertension and Cardiovascular Disease which is going to be held during December 03-04, 2018 Toronto, Canada.
Hypertension 2018 has been designed in an interdisciplinary manner with a multitude of tracks to choose from every segment and provides you with a unique opportunity to meet up with peers from both industry and academia and establish a scientific network between them. We cordially invite all concerned people to come join us at our event and make it successful by your participation.
At PULSUS Group, It is our ideology to bring maximum exposure to our attendees, so we make sure the event is a blend which covers professionals such as cardiologists, nutritionists and researchers from academia & industry making the Hypertension 2018 conference a perfect platform.
The conference will be organized around the Theme ‘Major Breakthrough in Control of Hypertension and Cardiovascular Disease. Our goal is to deliver an outstanding program which covers the entire spectrum of research & innovations in Hypertension and Cardiology care and share the cross-cultural experiences of various treatment procedures.
Hypertension 2018 is an annual meeting of Hypertension and Cardiovascular Disease organizations as well as committees to discuss the future of the cardiac disorders in terms of collaboration, structures, and organizational development.
To be a part and for more info visit: https://hypertension.cmesociety.com/scientific-program