Cardiovascular Disease and Risk Factor

Everyone takes for granted how important it is to have a healthy heart. Everyone seems to agree that there are number of things in general that you should do to be "heart healthy". But what does that really mean? In what ways can you actually change your diet and lifestyle to make a difference when it comes to heart and cardiovascular disease? Risk factors are just that: factors. There is a number of different combinations of things that have to happen to heighten or lower your chances of contracting such diseases. Here are the main cardiovascular disease risk factors that you need to know, and also, what to do about them.

Upon knowing the risk factor of heart diseases, we should also be aware of cardiovascular training. Performing cardiovascular training as a part of daily habit will prevent us from acquiring the risk factors mention below.

First of all, know that not all cardiovascular disease risk factors are changeable. Some can't be changed. For instance, age is a major factor; very few cases of heart disease are contracted under the age of 35, and the majority are among people 55 and older. That said, these unchangeable cardiovascular disease risk factors only make the ones that you can change all the more important.

One of the most potent cardiovascular disease risk factors is cigarette smoking. Regular smokers of tobacco products have two to four times the risk of contracting heart disease as non-smokers. That fact alone should really make you consider quitting as soon as possible.

High blood pressure and high blood cholesterol are related cardiovascular disease risk factors. In fact, most of the other cardiovascular disease risk factors are intertwined. For instance, obesity is a common symptom among those with heart disease. Obesity usually stems from a inactive lifestyle and a diet high in fats and processed sugars. This combination of a poor diet and lack of exercise is also the chief causes of high blood cholesterol (and subsequently, high blood pressure). In other words, the easiest way to avoid cardiovascular disease risk factors is simple and twofold.

One: you should immediately change your diet. Remove as much fat as possible, stop or substantially decrease the amount of red meat, butter and other dairy products from your diet. Eliminate the pre-cooked meals, processed foods (frozen meals and packaged cookies), and fast food from your menus. And start jogging, walking, bicycling or other activity. The more vigorous the workout, the most the risk factor is decreased, but even a daily thirty minute walk can go a long way in reducing your cardiovascular disease risk factors.

Chocolate as a Heart Treatment

With Valentine's Day just around the corner, most of us look forward, in happy anticipation, to the traditional gifts of chocolate. In my book, chocolate is one of the most delectable of treats, despite the calories. When you try to walk the straight and narrow path of healthy dietary habits, there does come a point where you have to make an exception or two, for the pure enjoyment of the taste. Well, now we have some scientific data to support the consumption of chocolate, specifically the cocoa it contains, as a heart healthy food. Good news for chocolate lovers in general and those who love chocolate and have concerns for their heart conditions. The cocoa in chocolate has been shown to be a beneficial heart treatment!

In a recent Spanish study of older patients, who either had existing heart conditions or were at high risk of developing heart disease, half of the participants were instructed to include about 1 ½ ounces of unsweetened cocoa powder, sweetened to taste with skim milk in their daily diet. The control group drank the skim milk, but without the cocoa. One month of this avant garde heart treatment revealed that those who consumed the cocoa showed reduced levels of what are termed 'adhesion molecules', one of the important signatures of developing atherosclerosis. These 'adhesion molecules' are specific types of proteins which contribute to clogging of the arteries, also known as atherosclerotic plaque. This plaque raises your risk of heart disease.

It should be noted that the average age of the participants in the study was 70 and included people with diabetes and at least three other significant risk factors for heart disease. Among the risk factors were high blood pressure, obesity, high levels of LDL coupled with low levels of HDL cholesterol, a smoking habit and a family history of heart disease.

Surprisingly, those patients who were in the cocoa group also demonstrated an increase in their HDL (good) cholesterol and a reduction in the LDL (bad) cholesterol readings. The cocoa heart treatment also manifested its positive effects in terms of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant qualities.

Prior to this study, it had been established that chocolate contains anti-inflammatory agents called polyphenols, which help reduce your risk of heart disease. Other sources of polyphenols include coffee, tea, wine and produce.

So, who would have thought that a couple of cups of cocoa daily might qualify as a legitimate heart treatment? Now, go fix yourself a cup of this delightful heart treatment and tuck yourself in for a good night's sleep! And also do not forget to have a cardiovascular training everyday to completely minimize the risk of heart disease.

manchas en la cara