ORLANDO, Fla. (Ivanhoe Newswire) — Every year, 600,000 Americans die of heart disease. It is the leading cause of death for both men and women. But it is also one of the most preventable. Ivanhoe has new research that could help lower your chances for heart disease and protect your heart.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S. and accounts for one out of every four deaths!
“A lot of different things can result in the hearts inability to circulate blood ranging from coronary disease to obesity, to uncontrolled high blood pressure,” explained Joshua Larned, MD, Medical Director of Heart Failure Services at Holy Cross Hospital.
And now a new study from the National Institutes of Health links hydration and heart health. The researchers found those who were not well hydrated had a higher risk of heart failure 25 years later. The National Academy of Sports Medicine says drinking water is not the only way to stay hydrated. Twenty percent of water intake can come from fruits and veggies and 80 percent can come from beverages. Also, the Journal of the American Heart Association reports that eating plant-based foods can benefit your heart at any age. A survey done by Massachusetts General Hospital showed that cutting 20 percent of sugar from packaged foods and 40 percent from beverages can prevent more than two million cardiovascular disease events, 490,000 cardiovascular deaths, and 750,000 diabetes cases in the U.S.
With the holiday season in full swing, spending time with family members may bring more than holiday joy. Research says spending time with friends and family can mitigate stress and fend off depression, which are risk factors for heart disease.
Contributors to this news report include: Jenna Ehrlich, Producer; and Roque Correa, Editor.
3 WAYS TO PROTECT YOUR HEART
REPORT #2908
BACKGROUND: Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, causing about 1 in 4 deaths. The most common type of heart disease is coronary artery disease (CAD), which can lead to heart attack. You can reduce your risk for heart disease through lifestyle changes and, in some cases, medicine. Sometimes heart disease may not be apparent and diagnosed until a person experiences signs or symptoms of a heart attack, arrhythmia, or heart failure. Symptoms of a heart attack may include chest pain or discomfort, upper back or neck pain, indigestion, heartburn, nausea or vomiting, extreme fatigue, upper body discomfort, dizziness, and shortness of breath. Symptoms of arrhythmia can include fluttering feelings in the chest. And, symptoms of heart failure can include shortness of breath, fatigue, or swelling of the feet, ankles, legs, abdomen, or neck veins.
(Source: https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/index.htm)
KEEPING YOUR HEART HEALTHY: What you eat, how much you move, whether you smoke, and controlling your cholesterol and blood pressure are things that can have a big impact on your heart. A diet full of a variety of fruit and vegetables, wholegrain cereals that include more natural grain, and monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats that you find in avocados, nuts, fish, and sunflower seeds are all linked to a healthier heart. Regular physical activity helps control high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and obesity which all lead to heart disease. You can stay motivated with a group of friends, family, or even a dog. Smoking damages the blood vessels leading to your heart, brain, and other parts of your body. This makes you four times more likely to die of heart attack or stroke and three times more likely to die from sudden cardiac death. Eating too much saturated and trans fat can elevate blood cholesterol levels. Saturated and trans fats can be found in foods like pizza, cakes, biscuits, pastries, and deep-fried foods. The best way to reach your treatment goals and enjoy the benefits of better heart health is to follow the advice of your doctor or pharmacist and take medicines exactly as directed.
(Source: https://www.heartfoundation.org.au/heart-health-education/keeping-your-heart-healthy)
BREAKTHROUGH COULD CHANGE CARDIAC CARE: Chemists uncovered a new technique that could make it possible to heal a patient’s damaged heart tissue after a myocardial infarction (MI) and reduce their chances of developing heart failure. A team working out of the Scripps Research Institute in Jupiter, Florida, shared their findings in a new study for Nature Chemistry. “During a heart attack, the injury causes proteins that could promote new, healthy blood vessel growth to go silent,” said Matthew Disney, PhD. “We analyzed the entire pathway for how the protein is silenced, and then we used that information to identify how to reinvigorate its expression.” Disney’s lab focused on this area for years, developing specific tools that make it easier to target RNAs. This latest breakthrough could be a clear sign that work has paid off, giving researchers a new way to battle cardiac disease and help patients recover from MIs more quickly than ever before.
* For More Information, Contact:
Christine Walker, Public Relations
Christine.Walker@holy-cross.com
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