5 Indian Foods to Lower Cholesterol Naturally and Improve Heart Health!
High cholesterol is a serious problem that can lead to heart disease and strokes. In India, over 25–30% of urban adults have high cholesterol, but the good news is you can lower it with simple food choices.Here are 5 easy-to-find Indian foods that can help lower cholesterol fast:Oats: Oats are full of soluble fiber, which helps remove cholesterol from your body. Eating oats every morning can lower bad cholesterol (LDL) by up to 20%. It’s an easy and healthy choice for breakfast.Garlic: Garlic helps reduce cholesterol levels and blood pressure. Eating just one clove a day can lower your total cholesterol by 10–15%. It’s a small change with big benefits for your heart.Fenugreek Seeds: Fenugreek seeds are rich in fiber, which helps lower cholesterol. Studies show they can reduce LDL cholesterol by up to 25% in just 4-6 weeks. You can soak them overnight or add them to your meals.Leafy Greens: Vegetables like spinach and kale are good for your heart. They help lower cholesterol and reduce inflammation in your body. Adding them to your diet is simple and effective.Nuts: Almonds and walnuts are full of healthy fats that lower bad cholesterol. Eating a handful of nuts each day can reduce LDL cholesterol by up to 10%.Including these foods in your daily meals can help lower cholesterol and improve your heart health.Start today for a healthier future!Source:-1. http://www.cdc.gov/cholesterol/prevention/index.html 2. https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/cholesterol
Can Angina Be Cured? Discover the Treatments
What is angina?Angina is a medical condition in which there is pain and discomfort in the chest due to insufficient blood reaching the heart. Managing angina is important, as it can prevent the progression of other severe heart conditions.What are the treatment options available for angina?Recent and advanced treatments for angina focus on improving blood flow, relieving symptoms, and avoiding further complications, some of which include the following:1. Medicines like Nitroglycerin:Nitroglycerin is an important drug in the treatment of angina which works to dilate the blood vessels. Dilating blood vessels allows more blood flow which reduces the workload of the heart and provides relief in pain. This medicine is also prescribed for long-term treatment.Suggested Read: What Happens During an Angina Attack? Learn the Warning Signs and Symptoms!2. Lifestyle Changes:Lifestyle modification (modification in diet and exercise) is a crucial step in angina treatment. Regular exercise and physical activities like running, swimming, or cycling improve blood circulation so that more blood flows to the heart. Additionally, a heart-healthy diet like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains also helps in reducing risk factors for the heart.Suggested Read: Lower cholesterol and improve heart health with pumpkin seeds!3. Surgical interventions:In individuals with severe angina which does not respond to medication and lifestyle changes, surgical procedures like angioplasty and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) are performed to correct angina. These procedures also improve blood flow to the heart and reduce the pain of angina.Suggested Read: What is my Maximum Heart Rate?4. Seeking medical attention:It is important for any individual suffering from angina to consult a doctor as soon as possible. After proper tests and diagnosis, doctors create a personalized treatment plan for the patient that addresses the individual's needs and risk factors.With early detection and effective management, angina can be controlled and appropriate treatment can be employed.Suggested Read: Is Your Chest Pain a Warning Sign of Something More Serious? Don't Ignore These Symptoms
Heart Attacks at Gym: How Can you prevent it?
Today, we are going to talk about important tips and precautions to take while working out, especially if you have health issues like high blood pressure or high cholesterol.Exercising is great for your health but it's crucial to be mindful of certain factors to prevent heart attacks.Pre-gym health checks: Before you hit the gym, make sure to get these tests done. Cholesterol levels. High cholesterol can lead to heart issues.Blood pressure: Knowing your blood pressure helps prevent hypertension. Sugar level: High blood sugar can lead to diabetes.Understand your health: It's essential to talk to your doctor about your health conditions. Discuss conditions like diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure. Your doctor can advise on the types of exercises that are safe and effective for you.Avoid intense workouts initially: Don't jump into intense workouts right away. Start with normal workouts and gradually increase the intensity. Always remember to warm up beforeany intense exercise to prevent strain on your heart.Limit sugar intake: The FDA recommends that a healthy adult should not consume more than 30 grams of sugar per day. Excessive sugar can lead to diabetes and obesity.Limit salt intake: Similarly, a healthy person should not consume more than 5 grams of salt per day as high salt intake can lead to high blood pressure and other heart diseases.Monitor your health regularly: Keep track of your blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels. Blood pressure. A systolic pressure of 120 to 130 mm/hg and a diastolic pressure of 70 to 80 mmHg is considered normal. Anything higher is considered hypertension.Blood sugar. A normal range is 70 to 100 mg dl. Higher levels indicate hyperglycemia.Cholesterol. Total cholesterol less than 200 mg per deciliter is normal. Higher levels indicate high cholesterol.By following these tips and precautions, you can make your gym sessions safer and more effective. Always remember to consult with your healthcare professional for personalized advice. Stay healthy and keep exercising.Suggested Read: Check Your Heart Rate using Cardiac Risk CalculatorSource:-1. https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/files/docs/public/heart/phy_active.pdf2. Heart Health Checklist. (n.d.). Heart Health Checklist. Retrieved May 15, 2024, from https://osumedicine.com/heart-health-checklist/Disclaimer:-This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Consult your healthcare provider before making any changes to your treatment. Do not ignore or delay professional medical advice based on anything you have seen or read on Medwiki.Find us at:https://www.instagram.com/medwiki_/?h...https://twitter.com/medwiki_inchttps://www.facebook.com/medwiki.co.in/
What To Do And Not To Do During a Heart Attack?
What is a heart attack?A heart attack is a condition of obstructed blood flow to the heart. It results due to blockage of arteries through fats and cholesterol buildup in the arteries of the heart. It starts with a feeling of tightness or pain in the chest but moves down to your arms, shoulders, and neck.Suggested Read: Lower cholesterol and improve heart health with pumpkin seeds!What is the cause of a heart attack?A complete or partial blockage of arteries of the heart resulting from plaque deposits can narrow the arteries, decreasing blood flow to the heart.A heart attack can even occur as a result of a strong spasm in the unblocked arteries supplying blood to the heart.Sometimes a viral infectioncan also lead to a heart attack in serious cases.Suggested Read: Causes and Symptoms of High Blood Pressure!What are the symptoms of a heart attack?Chest pain and pressure or tightness in the chest.Cold sweat.Lightheadedness.Nausea.FatigueNumbnessIndigestion.Vomiting.Shortness of breathSuggested Read: Is Your Chest Pain a Warning Sign of Something More Serious? Don't Ignore These SymptomsWhat to do when someone is having a heart attack?1. Call Emergency Services: The first thing someone should do while encountering a heart attack is to dial the emergency number for immediate medical help.2. Position the Person: Have the person sit comfortably with their back and head supported by a wall or pillow, and their knees bent. Keep the area properly ventilated.3. Reassure Them: Encourage the person to stay calm and try to reassure them. Tell them not to panic as it can further worsen the condition.4. Administer Prescribed Nitrates: If the person has been prescribed nitrates for chest pain, give them their medication as soon as possible.5. Give Aspirin: Provide the person with an aspirin tablet (300 to 350 mg). Dissolve it in water or have them chew it completely. This may help save their life as aspirin helps in preventing clot or plaque formation in the blood vessels that can cause a heart attack.Note: Do not give aspirin to anyone under 16 years of age or those allergic to aspirin.6. Prepare for CPR: If the person becomes unconscious, be ready to perform CPR. If their condition worsens, use a defibrillator. CPR involves hard chest compressions at a rate of 100 to 120 compressions per minute, which improves blood flow to the brain and body, potentially helping the person survive.Suggested Read: What Happens During an Angina Attack? Learn the Warning Signs and Symptoms!What not to do when someone is having a heart attack?1. Don’t Panic: Stay calm and focused and help the person with all the necessary first aid steps.2. Don’t Leave Them Alone: Ensure the person is not left unattended, stay close to them.3. Don’t Misinterpret the Pain: Don’t assume the pain is related to gastric issues or heartburn. Always check for the possibilities.Suggested Read: Maximum Heart Rate by Age: Calculate Yours Easily
“Good” And “Bad” Cholesterol: Know the Difference
Do you know what cholesterol is?It's a fatty substance that's produced by your liver. It's pretty important because it helps with the formation of cell membranes, certain hormones, and vitamin D. But here's the thing: cholesterol can't travel through your bloodstream on its own. That's where lipoproteins come in. These particles are made from fat and protein and carry cholesterol and triglycerides through your bloodstream.Suggested Read: Calculate Maximum Heart RateThere are two types of lipoproteins: LDL (Low-Density Lipoprotein) and HDL (High-Density Lipoprotein). LDL cholesterol is sometimes called "bad cholesterol" because it carries cholesterol to your arteries. If you have too much LDL cholesterol, it can build up on the walls of your arteries in the form of cholesterol plaque. This plaque can narrow your arteries, which can limit your blood flow and increase your risk of blood clots, heart attacks, and strokes.Suggested Read:https://medwiki.co.in/post/imagine-cholesterol-as-tiny-particles-that-move-around-your-body-through-the-blood-enBut don't worry, there's also "good cholesterol" called HDL cholesterol. HDL helps return LDL cholesterol to your liver to be removed from your body. This can prevent cholesterol plaque from building up in your arteries. Having healthy levels of HDL cholesterol can help lower your risk of blood clots, heart disease, and stroke.Now, here's the thing: high cholesterol often has no symptoms early on, so it's important to get regular cholesterol level check-ups. Stay on top of your health game and keep those cholesterol levels in check!Factors Affecting Cholesterol Level:Many factors are responsible for inducing changes in cholesterol levels in the body, some of these factors are changeable and some are such that you cannot change them.4 Factors Affecting "Good" and "Bad" Cholesterol That Can Be Changed:1: Diet: Saturated fats and cholesterol foods that you eat increase the cholesterol level in your blood. The main problem is caused by the consumption of saturated fats but the cholesterol present in the food also matters. It is always better to avoid eating food items in excess including processed foods, red meats, deep-fried items, full-fat dairy products, some baked goods, and chocolates.2: Weight: Suffering from obesity or gaining excess body weight is very dangerous for heart disease. If we do not pay attention, it can also increase the risk of cholesterol.Suggested Read:https://medwiki.co.in/post/cholesterol-is-it-really-that-dangerous-en3: Lack of physical activity: Heart disease is the biggest risk of not being physically active; Therefore, at every age, a person should be physically active and take care of fitness.4: Smoking: Smoking cigarettes reduces HDL cholesterol. HDL helps in reducing the bad cholesterol level in the arteries, hence the chances of cholesterol getting reduced due to a drop in HDL.4 Factors Affecting "Good" and "Bad" Cholesterol That Cannot Be Changed:1: Age: There is a tendency for cholesterol levels to increase with increasing age. Although this happens less often cholesterol may reach high levels even in children and young people.2: Sex:In the age group of 20 to 39 years; Men are at greater risk than women for developing high cholesterol levels. However, after menopause, women become more prone. This happens because menopause reduces female hormones which protect them from high blood cholesterol.3: Family history:Your genes partly determine how much cholesterol your body can make. If there is a record of high cholesterol in the family history, then the chances of cholesterol in the next generation also increase.Suggested Read:https://medwiki.co.in/post/cholesterol-a-silent-threat-harming-your-heart-en4: Ethnicity:Certain specific ethnic or racial groups have an increased risk of increasing cholesterol levels. Asian Americans tend to have higher levels of LDL cholesterol compared to other groups.Conclusion:Cholesterol plays a very important role in the body, it supports hormone production, helps in cell membrane formation, and is also crucial for Vitamin D synthesis. It is very important to maintain the optimal level of cholesterol to manage heart health. There are two types of cholesterol, LDL and HDL. LDL cholesterol contributes to artery blockage and increases the risk of stroke and heart disease while HDL cholesterol effectively eliminates excess cholesterol from the bloodstream.Physical activity, weight, and diet are a few factors that influence cholesterol levels while age, family history, sex, and ethnicity are non-modifiable factors. Lifestyle adjustments and regular body checkups prevent high cholesterol and protect long-term cardiovascular health.Source:- https://www.healthline.com/health/high-cholesterol#what-it-isDisclaimer:- This information is intended to supplement, not substitute, advice from your healthcare provider or doctor. It does not cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions, or side effects, and may not be appropriate for your specific healthcare needs. Always consult with your doctor or another qualified healthcare provider before modifying or discontinuing any prescribed portion of your healthcare plan or treatment, in order to determine the best course of therapy for you. Do not ignore or delay professional medical advice based on anything you have seen or read on Medwiki.Find us at:https://www.instagram.com/medwiki_/?h...https://twitter.com/medwiki_inchttps://www.facebook.com/medwiki.co.in/
Lower cholesterol and improve heart health with pumpkin seeds!
What are pumpkin seeds?Pumpkin contains flat-oval seeds, also known as “pepitas”, which are roasted and eaten as a healthy snack. These seeds are highly nutritious containing valuable nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, and magnesium.Suggested Read: Is Your Chest Pain a Warning Sign of Something More Serious? Don't Ignore These SymptomsWhat are the health benefits of pumpkin seeds?It has anti-inflammatory effects.It helps you in preventing chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes and heart disease.It contains anti-cancer properties that can prevent breast cancer and prostate cancer.It improves the health of the prostate gland and helps with symptoms of a swollen prostate.Suggested Read: Heart Rate Calculator: Find Your Maximum Heart Rate InstantlyIt is found to be effective in controlling the frequency of urination in people who need to pee very often and urgently.It is rich in magnesium, so munching pumpkin seeds before helps in inducing better sleep.It keeps your heart healthy.Suggested Read: What Happens During an Angina Attack? Learn the Warning Signs and Symptoms!How do pumpkin seeds contribute to lowering cholesterol and improving heart health?Pumpkin seeds are a tasty and nutritious snack that can help lower cholesterol and improve heart health. These tiny seeds are rich in fiber, healthy fats, and antioxidants, all of which are essential for maintaining a healthy heart.The fiber in pumpkin seeds helps to lower cholesterol levels by binding to bile acids in the gut and preventing them from being reabsorbed into the body. This forces the liver to produce more bile, which in turn uses up cholesterol to make more bile acids. As a result, the overall level of cholesterol in the body decreases.Pumpkin seeds are also high in unsaturated fats, which have been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease. Additionally, they contain antioxidants like vitamin E and selenium, which protect the heart from damage caused by free radicals.So if you're looking for a heart-healthy snack, try incorporating pumpkin seeds into your diet. Not only are they delicious, but they can also help keep your heart happy and healthy!Suggested Read: Is Cold Weather Bad for Your Heart
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