Nutrition

Heart health Risks of US Young People

Posted on April 10, 2013 - 9:58am

A new study by the American Heart Association has shown that although the majority of clinical CardioVascular Disease (specifically Coronary Artery Disease and Stroke) events occur at middle and older ages, atherosclerosis begins in childhood and cardiovascular health among adolescents aged 12 to 19 years  

  • Read more
  • Risks for Heart Disease when young

    Question: 

    I was sitting working on some home work when I had a sharp pinching feeling slightly to the left of the center of my chest over my heart. The feeling lasted less than two minutes. About 30 mins later i had another one and shortly after i had a big burp. I continue to burp. I became hot not flushed but I have anxiety and the pain instantly flipped the switch to my anxiety. My anxiety has been pretty good lately but heart problemare a main worry for me. In the last year I have had a echo, ecg, I wore a halter monitor for 48 hours and everything was normal. My BP has been under control as well  I am 24  yo female overweight and Imy cholesterole is mid 200s last I knew. Is the stabbing chest pain a symptom of angina or a heart attack. Now that my anxiety is triggered I will continue to worry about it.

     

    Very unlikely to be related to your heart; think GI instead. That doesn't mean you are not at risk for heart disease with a high cholesterol and being overweight (which other risks do you have?).

    Diabetes and Cardiac Health

    Diabetes affects nearly 26 million people, 8.3 percent of the U.S. population, or almost 100 million people if patients with pre-diabetes are included. The number of Americans with diabetes is projected to double or triple by 2050.

    Risks of Overweight and Obesity

    Question: 

    I am 45m female, BMI 33, waist 100cm, sedentary lifestyle. Blood pressure and cholesterol under control with medication.  Had a few episodes of extreme shortness of breath, nausea, heaviness in the chest, restlessness that becomes worse if lying down.  All episodes happened at rest and one in my sleep. Went to A&E, all ECGs and blood tests normal. Echo and Stress test normal. I worry for unstable angina. Is there a definitive examination that gives an answer?

     

    Hi Eliana

    Your symptoms are entirely consistent with being severely overweight. The tests have excluded your heart (for now) as the cause. Even if your heart is OK for now, you are at considerable risk in the (near) future. You can check this here.

    There is a significant risk for early Heart Failure and Coronary Artery Disease in obese patients, not to speak of sleep apnea and Pulmonarey Hypertension.

    Green Tea and Coffee

     

    Drink one or more cups of green tea or coffee per day and you may have a lower risk of Coronary Artery Disease and Stroke, according to a study published online March 14.

    Anti-Oxidants and Free Radicals

     

     

    Antioxidants are highly promoted by media, some physicians and dietitians, and nutritional industries for a variety of reasons. They are said to help slow the aging process and prevent vision loss, cancer, heart disease, stroke, and other chronic diseases.

    Once it was thought that antioxidants were harmless, but researchers are learning that it might be possible to get too much of a good thing. Very little is known about how much a person should get or the long-term consequences of gigantic doses of antioxidants.

    Free Radicals

    A Mediterranean diet is Heart Healthy


     

    Among persons at risk for cardiovascular disease, a Mediterranean diet supplemented with extra-virgin olive oil or nuts reduces the incidence of major cardiovascular events (Results from The PREDIMED Trial ).

    Comments

    Red wine and hypertension

    Question: 

    I read the many positive effects of drinking 1-2 glasses of red wine idea, such as raising HDL and lowering risk for heart disease.  But I'm conflicted on the BP issue.  I have read that 1-2 glasses/day will lower overall BP but in the immediate time you start drinking it raises your BP.  My normal BP is generally 120/80, sometimes I run 125/80 or as low as 115/72.  3-4 hours after my 1 glass of red last night I was 135/85. So is it a good practice as far as BP goes, given it might raise your BP in the short run but lower it overall in the long run?
     

    Hi Meghann,

    Syndicate content