Archive for the ‘heart disease’ Category

Even Six Year Olds Can Show Signs of Heart Disease

Monday, March 1st, 2010

FKHeart disease doesn’t just happen. Diet, exercise habits, and genetics all contribute to risk. So does obesity.

And not just overweight or obese adults, even young children – like six year olds – can begin to show signs of cardiovascular disease.

Published in the journal Pediatrics, researchers found higher levels of C-reactive protein – a marker for artery inflammation and heart disease – among obese children.

High C-reactive protein levels were evident in overweight children ages 6 and 9.

Here’s the problem. Adults know – because they are bombarded with messages – that being overweight, not exercising enough, and eating poorly aren’t healthy, but young children are more oblivious.

So the researchers say obtaining C-reactive protein levels in obese children could help motivate parents and doctors to intervene.

Via HealthDay News.

Image credit: Daily Fork

Even Six Year Olds Can Show Signs of Heart Disease

Monday, March 1st, 2010

FKHeart disease doesn’t just happen. Diet, exercise habits, and genetics all contribute to risk. So does obesity.

And not just overweight or obese adults, even young children – like six year olds – can begin to show signs of cardiovascular disease.

Published in the journal Pediatrics, researchers found higher levels of C-reactive protein – a marker for artery inflammation and heart disease – among obese children.

High C-reactive protein levels were evident in overweight children ages 6 and 9.

Here’s the problem. Adults know – because they are bombarded with messages – that being overweight, not exercising enough, and eating poorly aren’t healthy, but young children are more oblivious.

So the researchers say obtaining C-reactive protein levels in obese children could help motivate parents and doctors to intervene.

Via HealthDay News.

Image credit: Daily Fork

Trans-Fat Ups Women’s Risk of Stroke

Sunday, February 28th, 2010

TFIn recent years, trans-fat has become synonymous with evil; being linked to things like cancer, heart disease, and now stroke.

Presented at the American Stroke Association’s International Stroke Conference 2010, expert claims trans-fat increases stroke risk in post-menopausal women

Trans-fat is formed in partially hydrogenated vegetable oil, which is often used in fried and processed foods, and helps to extend shelf-life.

Researchers followed 87,230 post-menopausal women, ages 50 to 79, and how much trans-fat they consumed. After 7.6 years, 1,049 women had strokes.

Data showed women eating the highest average amount of trans-fat each day – roughly seven grams – were 30% more likely to have a stroke, this compared to women consuming only one gram per day.

In 2008, California became the first state to ban trans-fat in restaurants and retail food stores.

Via Food Navigator.

Image credit: Mykl Roventine

Mediterranean Diet May Protect the Brain

Tuesday, February 9th, 2010

FSConsuming a Mediterranean diet, hefty in olive oil, fish, grains, and fruits and vegetables, seems to protect the brain from cognitive—i.e. thinking—problems

In a study, funded by the U.S. National Institutes of Health, researchers found Mediterranean-type diets guarded against brain damage linked cognitive problems, and lower risk of depression, cancer, and heart disease.

Scientists looked at 712 men and women, average age of 80, and with no history of stroke; only 238 had some form of brain damage.

After following the participants for six years and studying how closely they adhered to a Mediterranean diet, experts found people eating a very Mediterranean-like diet had fewer brain issues and stroke, and a 36% lower risk of brain damage.

Via HealthDay News.

Image credit: OzClarke

One-Fifth of American Teens Have Unhealthy Cholesterol

Thursday, January 28th, 2010

TEENNot exactly a good start for the future of a country.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports one in five American teenagers have high cholesterol levels.

High cholesterol is a known risk factor for heart disease.

Studying data from a national health survey, the CDC found 20.3% of young people, ages 12 to 19, had unhealthy cholesterol levels.

Heavier teens were more likely to have high cholesterol and boys were found to be at higher risk than girls.

Researchers say unhealthy cholesterol often begins in childhood and adolescence, so it’s important that doctors identify it early and recommend lifestyle interventions.

Via Reuters.

Image credit: The Marketess

Fat Thighs May Help Defend the Body

Wednesday, January 20th, 2010

FLHard to believe a pair of “thunder thighs” might actually do you some good, but some researchers seem to think so.

Appearing in the International Journal of Obesity, experts say fatty acids stored on the thighs may lure fat from a person’s diet and keep it from overwhelming the rest of their body.

And people with lots of fat on the bottom half of their body have lower levels of inflammatory chemicals associated with heart disease.

Fat thighs may also help produce more a leptin, a hormone that influences appetite and metabolism.

It’s hard to take solace in this when you can’t fit into your favorite jeans anymore.

Via Reuters.

Image credit: Kelly in Mexicali

Too Much TV Can Raise Death Risk

Wednesday, January 13th, 2010

TVIt’s hard to resist back-to-back episodes of Sanford and Son, but too many marathons of TV watching may shorten your life, especially if you endlessly channel surf every day.

Published in the journal Circulation, scientists found each hour spent sitting in front of the television raised a person’s risk of dying prematurely from heart disease.

For the study, experts tracked the lifestyle habits of 8,800 adults; such as smoking, diet, exercise, waist measurement, and high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

Data showed every hour spent in front of the television was associated with an 11% higher risk of dying from all causes; 9% higher risk of cancer death; and an 18% increased risk of death due to cardiovascular disease.

And people watching more than four hours of TV each day had a 46% higher risk of death from all causes and an 80% higher risk of heart disease related death.

So if you take in a little too much boob-tube every day, you’ll be doing the Fred Sanford chest grab for real.

Via Reuters.

Image credit: Falling Pixel

Exercise Helps Women Keep a Healthy Pulse Rate

Wednesday, January 13th, 2010

WEHigh blood pressure doesn’t do your heart any favors; means its working overtime and extra hard, not good.

It’s bad for both men and women, but a new study shows regular workouts can help keep women’s pulse rates low.

Writing in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, researchers found among 50,000 healthy adults, each increase of 10 beats per minute in resting heart rate, increased a woman’s risk of cardiac death by 18%.

Experts say a healthy heartbeat should be between 60 to 70 beats per minute.

The study showed women with a resting heart rate above 100 beats per minute had a 42% risk of fatal heart attack, but women who exercised regularly cut that risk.

Active women, even those with a pulse rate of over 87 beats per minute, did not have a significant increase in heart attacks

Via Reuters.

Image credit: The Lose Weight Guide

More Education Means Lower Heart Risks

Monday, January 4th, 2010

HRTMaybe if you’re smarter you know not to wash fried chicken down with milkshakes, or to go take a walk every once in a while.

Because a new study in the journal Heart claims people with more education have a lower risk of heart attack later in life.

For the study, experts took a look at data on 12,000 heart attack sufferers and 14,000 healthy adults of similar age from 52 countries.

Results showed education level was strongly associated with heart attack risk in all countries, especially wealthy nations.

The researchers found that even when lifestyle, income, age and other factors were considered, people with low education levels—defined as eight years of school or less—were 31% more likely to have a heart attack than those with additional education.

Experts believe the education link is due to smart people having a better understanding of heart health and what causes heart attacks.

Via Reuters.

Image credit: Muslim Video

Waist Size and Body Mass Linked to Heart Disease

Tuesday, December 8th, 2009

WSTIt sounds pretty obvious, but Dutch researchers have found a strong association between body mass and cardiovascular disease.

The study, published in the European Journal of Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation, revealed body mass index (BMI) and waist size were linked to more than 50% of all fatal heart disease cases.

Experts examined hospital records and “cause of death data” over a 10 year period.

Data showed 25% to 30% of non-fatal heart disease cases occurred in overweight and obese people.

A BMI between 25 and 29.9 are considered overweight, and BMI’s greater than 30 are categorized as obese. Body mass index is calculated by dividing weight by the square of the individual’s height.

Researchers for this study say their findings merely underline the importance of developing policies and activities to prevent obesity in the general population.

Via Reuters.

Image credit: Globe Health Tours