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Heart Health - Dr. Weil, Ph.D.

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Heart Health JoAnn Guest May 14, 2005 14:51 PDT

 

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)

 

There are four conditions associated with coronary artery disease:

atherosclerosis, insulin resistance, high homocysteine and angina

pectoris.

 

Atherosclerosis - Overview

 

Atherosclerosis is a condition in which cholesterol-rich plaque builds

up along the arterial walls. Atherosclerosis is thought to develop when

an injury occurs to the endothelial (inside) lining along the artery

wall. In response to the injury, white blood cells, along with lipids,

begin to accumulate along the inner layer of the artery. The muscle

layer of the artery may also grow, forming the basis of a plaque, which

many grow large enough to block the artery. If the plaque is disturbed,

platelets may begin to accumulate at the site and form a thrombus, or

clot.

 

A clot can continue to grow until it completely blocks an artery,

cutting off the oxygen supply to a vital organ, or a clot can break free

from the vessel wall (become an embolus) and become lodged somewhere

else further downstream. This could lead to a heart attack or stroke if

the clot completely blocks the blood and oxygen supply to a major artery

leading to the heart or brain.

 

Causes and Symptoms

 

Recent studies have shown that children with one or both parents who

have had heart disease before age 60 were more likely to have

atherosclerosis themselves, and the risk of CAD increases progressively

with age. Other risk factors for developing atherosclerotic plaques

include high cholesterol, smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes, and

the use of birth control pills or estrogen replacement therapy.

 

Suggested Lifestyle Changes

 

Those with atherosclerosis should try to:

 

 

Get more exercise. This will help maintain the health of the vessels

leading to the heart, as well as strengthening the heart muscle itself.

Lower your intake of saturated fats, and control cholesterol.

Stop smoking.

Control your blood pressure.

 

Nutrition and Supplements

 

 

Fish oil. The omega-3 fatty acids in fish and fish oil supplements have

been shown to be an effective preventive strategy against heart disease.

 

 

They can lower triglyceride levels, increase HDL cholesterol, help

minimize inflammation and blood clotting, and keep blood vessels

healthy.

 

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10). This antioxidant is thought to be one of the most

important antioxidant supplements for protection against many forms of

cardiovascular disease.

 

It helps protect LDL cholesterol from oxidation, maintain healthy blood

vessels, protect against clots and plaque rupture, and support optimal

functioning of the heart muscle.

 

Insulin Resistance - Overview

 

Insulin is a hormone that facilitates the transport of glucose from the

blood into cells where it is used as fuel. When blood sugar rises after

a meal, the pancreas secretes insulin into the bloodstream. With insulin

resistance, the normal amount of insulin secreted is not enough to move

glucose into the cells - thus the cells are " resistant " to the action of

insulin. To compensate, the pancreas secretes even more insulin, and is

able to maintain fairly normal blood-sugar movement into cells and a

normal blood-sugar level.

 

The resulting high level of insulin, however, has several negative

effects elsewhere in the body. It influences the enzymes in the liver

that produce cholesterol and acts on the kidney (which can contribute to

high blood pressure). High insulin levels also have a role in the

process that regulates inflammation. Eventually, blood-sugar levels will

continue to rise because the pancreas stops producing enough insulin or

the cells become more and more resistant to the insulin that is

produced. In time, insulin resistance can lead to Type 2 diabetes,

itself a risk factor for heart disease.

 

A simple way to diagnose an insulin resistance problem is to take a

blood test that looks for a low HDL cholesterol, along with a high

triglyceride level, a high fasting insulin level or a high uric acid

level.

 

Causes and Symptoms

 

Insulin resistance is often due to:

 

 

Genetic factors, such as a family history of diabetes, high blood

pressure or heart disease.

Excess weight, with the extra pounds accumulating in the abdomen (the

classic " apple " shape).

 

However, thin people can also have the problem and be at the same risk

for heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes.

 

Suggested Lifestyle Changes

 

For those with insulin resistance, try the following:

 

 

Watch your carbohydrate intake. The classic low-fat, high-carb diet that

was the standard recommendation for preventing or treating heart disease

for years can actually make insulin resistance worse.

 

Carbohydrates (starches and sugars) raise blood sugar levels and trigger

the release of insulin. A moderately low carbohydrate diet (40 to 45

percent of calories) emphasizing low glycemic index sources of

carbohydrate (those that raise blood sugar levels slowly rather than

quickly) is recommended.

 

In general, foods very rich in fiber are healthy.

 

Cut saturated fats, but keep healthy fats. Include moderate amounts of

monounsaturated fat (i.e. extra virgin olive oil, avocadoes)(30 to 35

percent of calories) rather than following a strict low-fat diet.

 

Eat generous amounts (five or more servings) of organic non-starchy

vegetables and one to two servings of low-glycemic index fruit every

day.

Lose weight if you are overweight. Even small amounts of weight loss can

improve insulin resistance.

Exercise. Vigorous aerobic exercise decreases the cells' resistance to

insulin.

Eat fish frequently. The best are cold-water fish that are high in

omega-3 fatty acids, like wild Alaskan salmon and sardines.

 

This type of fat seems to improve cells' response to insulin.

 

Eat small, frequent meals to keep blood sugar levels as stable as

possible.

 

Nutrition and Supplements

 

 

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10). This powerful antioxidant has been shown to be

beneficial for heart health by protecting LDL cholesterol from oxidation

and re-energizing the mitochondria in the heart cells, which is where

energy metabolism occurs.

 

Alpha-lipoic acid. This antioxidant nutrient improves the cells'

response to insulin and can help stabilize blood sugar levels.

 

Magnesium. Higher insulin and blood sugar levels are often observed in

people with low plasma magnesium levels and magnesium supplementation

improves insulin resistance in animal studies.

 

Chromium. This mineral helps stabilize blood sugar, may improve serum

lipid profiles, and also may help the body utilize glucose and burn fat.

The best form to use is GTF Chromium.

 

High Homocysteine - Overview

 

Homocysteine is an amino acid that becomes available to the body with

the breakdown of dietary protein. Homocysteine is also produced in the

body from another amino acid called methionine. One of methionine's main

functions is to provide methyl groups for cellular reactions. A methyl

group is a small, simple chemical fragment consisting of one carbon

molecule and three hydrogen molecules.

 

When methionine donates a methyl group for a cellular reaction, it

becomes homocysteine. Typically homocysteine then receives another

methyl group from either folic acid or vitamin B6 and is turned back

into methionine. Vitamin B12 acts as a co-factor for this reaction.

 

A high homocysteine level is primarily a sign of an inadequate intake of

folic acid or vitamin B6.

In short, if you don't have enough of certain critical B vitamins, your

homocysteine level can rise.

 

At elevated levels, homocysteine is thought to contribute to plaque

formation by damaging the arterial wall. High levels may also act on

platelets and increase the risks of clot formation.

 

Causes and Symptoms

 

High homocysteine levels can be due to:

 

 

Genetics. There are genetic variations in folic acid absorption and

utilization. Some individuals therefore need much more folic acid than

the RDA of 400 mcg.

 

Stress. Epinephrine and norephinephrine are stress-induced

neurotransmitters. Their metabolism in the liver involves methylation, a

process that uses methyl groups, and can increase need for methyl donors

like folic acid.

 

Coffee consumption. As coffee consumption increases, homocysteine levels

increase.

 

Inadequate amounts of folic acid, vitamin B6 or vitamin B12 in your diet

and supplements.

 

Suggested Lifestyle Changes

 

To lower your homocysteine levels:

 

 

Increase dietary B vitamins. The richest sources of folate (the name for

the family of folic acids found in food) are green vegetables, orange

juice and beans. The RDA for folic acid is 400 mcg.

 

Learn how to moderate your stress. Breathing exercises, meditation and

mind-body exercises such as yoga can help to reduce stress.

 

Nutrition and Supplements

 

Start getting more folic acid. Augment your intake of dietary B vitamins

with a daily B-100 B-Complex supplement.

 

Angina Pectoris - Overview

 

Angina is chest pain that can occur when there is a dramatic decrease in

the blood supply to the heart, an increased demand for oxygen by the

heart, or a combination of both.

 

It is a classic symptom of coronary artery disease and is sometimes

predictive of heart attacks. If the walls of the coronary arteries are

hard and unable to relax (for example, as a result of atherosclerosis),

the vessels will not be able to dilate properly, which affects blood

flow.

 

Increasing physical or emotional exertion increases the demand for

oxygen. If the arteries are so blocked that the heart cannot receive

sufficient oxygen to meet its needs, angina can result.

 

Causes and Symptoms

 

Angina is often linked to the following:

 

 

Coronary artery disease. Plaque formation can narrow the arteries

supplying the heart to the point that the blood flow can no longer meet

the heart's demands.

 

Coronary artery spasm. In some cases angina can result from arterial

spasms, which cause a temporary constriction in the artery.

Emotional or physical stress, exerting oneself after a meal, or extreme

temperature changes.

 

Cigarette smoking. Nicotine has direct effects on blood vessels, which

can bring on an angina attack.

 

The single most important feature of angina is chest pain brought on by

physical exertion. Exertion increases the oxygen demands of the heart

beyond the supply capabilities of compromised coronary arteries,

resulting in pain. The length of an attack and the severity can vary.

While most experience chest pain, angina may also feel like a tightness

or pressure in the chest, or pains that radiate to the neck, along the

left shoulder or down the left arm. Difficulty breathing and nausea may

also be present.

 

Suggested Lifestyle Changes

 

Several studies suggest that coronary artery insufficiency can be

reversed by following a conscientious program of lifestyle modification

involving a strictly vegetarian low-fat diet, practicing yoga and

meditation, group therapy and moderate exercise. In addition, don't

smoke, and quit if you're currently a smoker.

 

Nutrition and Supplements

 

For those with angina, try:

 

 

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10). It is a powerful antioxidant and has been shown to

be beneficial for heart health by re-energizing the mitochondria in the

heart cells, which is where energy metabolism occurs. CoQ10 may thus

assist in lowering the oxygen demands of the heart by improving its

energy efficiency. This nutrient may also help lower blood pressure.

 

Hawthorne. Another antioxidant with beneficial heart-health properties,

hawthorne may help improve coronary artery blood flow and circulation to

the extremities of the body, therefore improving symptoms of angina.

 

L-arginine. A precursor to nitric oxide that relaxes blood vessels in

the heart and improves cardiac metabolism.

 

 

Cholesterol - Overview

 

High cholesterol is also a well-known risk factor in heart disease. This

waxy, fat-like substance comes from the diet, but is primarily made by

the liver, and is an essential component of cell membranes. The body

also uses it to produce hormones and vitamin D.

 

Cholesterol is carried through the bloodstream attached to two different

compounds called lipoproteins: low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and

high-density lipoproteins (HDL). LDL is commonly known as the " bad

cholesterol " ; it carries cholesterol from the liver throughout the body,

making it available and potentially allowing it to be deposited in

artery walls.

 

HDL is known as the " good cholesterol " ; it picks up cholesterol from the

blood and delivers it to cells that use it, or back to the liver to be

recycled or eliminated from the body.

 

Causes and Symptoms

 

The body needs cholesterol to function, but too much of it in the blood,

or too much of the wrong kind, can add up to trouble. The factors

leading to heart disease are as follows:

 

 

High total cholesterol, especially high LDL levels. These two factors

combine to form a well known risk factor for heart disease (though

people can have heart disease without having high cholesterol).

Lifestyle may influence cholesterol levels in part, especially the

consumption of saturated fats, but the tendency toward high cholesterol

appears to be genetic.

 

Treating high cholesterol levels with dietary and nutritional

supplementation is effective.

 

Low HDL cholesterol and high triglyceride levels. This is a different

pattern than high total and LDL cholesterol although someone may have

both. This pattern, sometimes called “Syndrome X,” is associated with

insulin resistance. It is frequently influenced by diet and lifestyle,

but also is genetically driven and appears to affect about 30 percent of

the population. It carries with it an increased risk of high blood

pressure and diabetes as well as heart disease. Dietary and nutritional

supplement treatments for this pattern are different from those for high

total and LDL cholesterol levels. Here, lifestyle changes are generally

quite effective.

 

Suggested Lifestyle Changes

 

To improve your cholesterol profile, try the following:

 

 

Lose weight. Even a modest amount of weight loss can lower cholesterol

levels.

 

Reduce the amount of saturated fat you eat. The richest sources of

saturated fat (fat that is usually solid at room temperature) in the

diet are dairy foods (except the fat-free versions), especially whole

milk, cheese, butter and cream. Red meat is also high in saturated fat.

 

Avoid trans-fat. These heart damaging fats can reduce HDL levels and

raise LDL levels. If you find " partially hydrogenated oil " listed in the

ingredient list on food labels, find a healthier substitute.

 

Trans-fat is found in many margarines and in most heavily processed

foods, as well as in snack foods like chips, crackers and cookies, and

in the oils used to cook fast-food french fries, doughnuts and movie

popcorn.

 

Exercise. Daily aerobic exercise is one well-proven method to increase

HDL levels.

 

Don't smoke. Smoking is a risk factor for heart disease all by itself,

but can also significantly lower HDL cholesterol.

 

Relax. Emotional stress may trigger the body to release fat into the

bloodstream, raising cholesterol levels. Practice daily breathing

exercises and a stress-reduction technique that works for you, such as

yoga, meditation, guided imagery or tai chi.

 

Nutrition and Supplements

 

The following may help to reduce cholesterol levels:

 

 

Eat some raw nuts every day. My Optimum Health Plan's menu plan is rich

in nuts, especially almonds, walnuts and cashews, which contain

heart-healthy monounsaturated fat.

 

Substitute organic soy protein for animal protein. The protein in soy

foods has been shown to lower cholesterol levels. Try to incorporate two

servings a day into your meals. Choose from organic tofu, miso,tempeh,

soy milk, whole soy beans and roasted soy nuts.

 

Use fresh garlic regularly in your meals. Garlic has been shown to lower

both cholesterol levels and blood pressure - and it tastes wonderful,

too. Use one or two raw or lightly cooked cloves a day.

 

Drink green tea daily. The antioxidants in green tea help lower

cholesterol and prevent the cholesterol in your blood from oxidizing.

 

Eat plenty of soluble fiber. Soluble fiber has a powerful

cholesterol-lowering effect. The best sources of soluble fiber are beans

and lentils, apples, citrus fruits, oats, barley, peas, carrots and

ground flax seed.

 

Limit refined carbohydrates. A diet full of cookies, cakes, crackers,

fluffy breads, chips and sodas can increase triglyceride levels and

lower HDL.

 

Take Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10). CoQ10 is a powerful antioxidant that has been

shown to be beneficial for heart health by protecting LDL cholesterol

from oxidation and by re-energizing the mitochondria in the heart cells,

which is where energy metabolism occurs. CoQ10 may also help lower blood

pressure.

 

Take fish oil. Though omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil don't specifically

lower total or LDL cholesterol levels, they do seem to reduce the risk

of heart disease by reducing platelet stickiness, inflammation and

triglyceride levels.

 

High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) - Overview

 

As the heart pumps blood through the arteries (large blood vessels), it

pushes the blood against the arterial walls with a force that is

measured as " blood pressure. " High blood pressure is defined as a

reading above 140/90 mm Hg (systolic/diastolic). (Systolic pressure -

the first number - measures the pressure in the arteries when the heart

contracts. Diastolic pressure - the second number - measures the

pressure in the arteries when the heart is relaxing between beats and

filling with blood.) Research now suggests that " high-normal " blood

pressure (130 to 139 over 85 to 89) can also raise risk of

cardiovascular disease. Normal blood pressure is 120 to 129 over 80 to

84, and optimal blood pressure is less than 120 over 80.

 

Excessive pressure makes the heart work harder, increasing its oxygen

demands and contributing to angina, and can eventually lead to an

enlarged heart (cardiomegaly), as well as damage to blood vessels in the

kidneys and brain. Hypertension, therefore, increases the risk of heart

attacks, stroke and kidney disease.

 

Hypertension is the most common form of cardiovascular disease in

America, affecting about 50 million people - that's close to one out of

four adults. The good news is that hypertension is easy to detect, and

can often be improved or controlled with changes in diet and lifestyle.

 

Causes and Symptoms

 

Hypertension is often called a " silent killer " because even severe,

uncontrolled high blood pressure usually has no obvious symptoms.

 

The elderly are at increased risk for hypertension, and high blood

pressure can occur as the arterial walls lose their elasticity with age

and cause the pressure of the blood moving through the arteries to rise.

In most cases (those known as " essential hypertension " ), Doctors cannot

pinpoint the precise cause of high blood pressure. However, they do know

that certain factors can increase the risk of developing high blood

pressure:

 

 

Stress can cause hypertension by activating the sympathetic nervous

system, causing the arteries to maintain a more rigid tone.

 

Eating large amounts of salt and sodium can cause excess water

retention, expand blood volume and ultimately increase blood pressure.

 

Caffeine acts as a cardiovascular stimulant and raises blood pressure.

 

A diet low in calcium, magnesium and potassium can increase blood

pressure.

 

Insulin resistance can increase blood pressure by causing the kidneys to

retain sodium.

 

Regular alcohol intake can increase blood pressure.

 

Being overweight increases blood pressure.

 

Medications. Some prescription drugs, including steroids, birth control

pills, decongestants, NSAIDS and diet pills can raise blood pressure.

Some over-the-counter medicines, such as those containing ephedra,

guarana, kola nut, yerba mate, ginseng and yohimbe, may also raise blood

pressure.

 

Suggested Lifestyle Changes

 

 

Limit your caffeine intake. The caffeine in coffee, tea and sodas can

contribute to high blood pressure.

 

Limit alcohol intake. Blood pressure increases as your body metabolizes

alcohol.

 

Avoid processed foods. These are the biggest sources of sodium in

today's diet.

 

Maintain optimal weight. Even small amounts of weight loss can improve

blood pressure.

 

Relax. Meditation, yoga, breathing exercises and biofeedback are all

relaxation techniques that can help lower blood pressure.

 

Don't smoke. Smoking contributes to all cardiovascular diseases - and

many other life-threatening conditions as well.

 

Exercise. As little as 30 minutes of moderate exercise a day, like

walking, can lower blood pressure.

Check your meds. Discuss your current medications and their risks of

increasing blood pressure with your doctor.

 

Nutrition and Supplements

 

The DASH diet, developed by researchers at the National Institutes of

Health's National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute is based on a

large-scale research study that identified the foods that affect blood

pressure (www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/hbp/dash/new_dash.pdf).

 

The most important parts of the DASH are generous amounts of fruits and

vegetables and low-fat or fat-free dairy products that provide adequate

calcium. The diet is also relatively low in fat and sodium.

 

DASH researchers have shown that diets rich in potassium, calcium and

magnesium, and low in sodium (2,400 mg or less), play an important role

in maintaining healthy blood pressure levels. People with high blood

pressure should incorporate the components of the DASH diet into their

daily routine.

 

In addition, make sure you do the following:

 

 

Eat 8 to 10 servings of fruit and vegetables per day.

 

Choose low- or non-fat dairy foods, consuming two to three servings per

day.

 

Limit animal protein to 6 oz per day, emphasizing lean sources.

 

Say no to salt. Those with salt sensitivity or a family history or

hypertension may benefit from reducing salt to about one teaspoon a day

(2,400 mg).

 

Use garlic, which has a modest effect on lowering blood pressure and may

help relax blood vessels.

 

Consume 4 to 5 servings of nuts, seeds and dry beans per week (2 Tbsp

nuts or seeds, or 1/2 cup cooked dried beans).

 

Eat plenty of fish. Include at least three servings of fish a week,

emphasizing cold-water fish like wild Alaskan salmon and sardines, which

are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Take fish-oil supplements if you cannot

get enough omega-3-rich foods.

 

Take calcium and magnesium. Inadequate intake of both of these minerals

has been associated with high blood pressure. Women should get between

1,000 and 1,500 mg of calcium a day, while men may want to get no more

than the RDA (1,000 to 1,200 mg a day) from all sources.

 

Take vitamin C. A supplement of this antioxidant vitamin has been shown

to lower blood pressure in people with mild to moderate hypertension.

 

Stroke - Overview

 

According to the American Heart Association, stroke is the third leading

cause of death in the United States(when considered separately from

other types of cardiovascular disease), accounting for about one out of

every 14.5 deaths. Approximately three-fourths of stroke victims are

over the age of 65, but a person can have a stroke at any age. Although

stroke seems to affect as many men as women, more women die of a stroke

than men in all age groups.

 

Causes and Factors

 

A stroke, also known as a cerebrovascular accident, is the death of

brain tissue caused from a lack of blood flow and insufficient oxygen to

the brain. The brain receives about 25 percent of the body's oxygen

supply from a continuous blood flow through the carotid arteries (that

come up through both sides of the front of the neck) and the basilar

artery (which forms at the base of the skull from the vertebral

arteries).

 

There are two main classifications of strokes:

 

 

Ischemic. The blood supply is cut off to part of the brain, either due

to atherosclerosis or a blood clot. Infections, inflammation or certain

medications can all contribute to ischemic strokes. These strokes are

the most common type, causing about 80 percent of all stroke cases.

 

Hemorrhagic. These strokes comprise the remaining 20 percent of cases.

Hemorrhagic strokes are caused from a ruptured blood vessel, preventing

normal blood flow and causing bleeding into an area of the brain. They

can be the result of hypertension, which causes excessive pressure on

the arterial walls that may already be damaged by arteriosclerosis.

 

A ruptured aneurysm (the rupture of a weakened area in the blood vessel

wall), can also cause a hemorrhagic stroke. There is an increased risk

of hemorrhagic stroke in those whose blood has been made " too thin " by

anticoagulant medications such as coumadin, or through the over-use of

aspirin or other medications with blood-thinning properties.

 

Strokes (like heart attacks) result from a sudden blockage in a blood

vessel that reduces or cuts off oxygen supply to the cells, often

resulting in the death of the tissue. Strokes have recently been termed

" brain attacks " to convey the need for immediate action when one occurs.

It only takes a short period of time without oxygen to cause damage to

the brain.

 

Risk factors for stroke include:

 

 

Age. The risk of stroke increases with age, doubling after age 55.

High blood pressure, diabetes, smoking and high cholesterol all impact

circulation and vascular health and contribute to plaque and clot

formation.

 

History of a clotting disorder.

Use of replacement estrogen therapy or birth control pills.

 

Suggested Lifestyle Changes

 

 

Control your blood pressure either through lifestyle changes or

medication.

Exercise. People who exercise consistently have a lower risk for having

a stroke.

 

If you smoke - quit.

 

Limit alcohol intake. If you drink alcohol, do so only in moderation.

Moderate alcohol intake is defined as no more than one drink per day for

women and two drinks a day for men.

Manage diabetes and keep tight control of blood sugar levels.

Lower cholesterol into a healthy range.

 

Nutrition and Supplements

 

 

Focus on your diet. Follow a diet designed for those with high blood

pressure and heart disease - it may be helpful in preventing strokes.

 

Take calcium and magnesium. These minerals are helpful in controlling

high blood pressure, one of the strongest risk factors for stroke.

 

Congestive Heart Failure - Overview

 

Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a very serious heart condition in

which the heart cannot pump sufficient blood to meet the circulatory

needs of the body. Even though the condition typically gets worse over

time, people are able to live with the disease for many years.

 

Causes and Symptoms

 

CHF can stem from any disease that causes impairment in the heart's

ability to contract and pump blood. The impaired pumping power may

follow a heart attack in which the heart muscle was damaged, or the

muscles may become thick or inflexible from hypertension, diabetes, or

improperly functioning valves.

 

When the heart is constantly overworked, it first becomes larger and

thicker - as will any muscle in the body that you consistently exercise

and push hard - and it begins to beat more frequently.

 

These changes eventually compromise the heart's efficiency, however, and

over time the heart tires out. Back pressure in the circulatory system

may have damaging effects on other organs, such as the kidneys, and

fluid may collect in the lower legs, causing swelling, or in the lungs,

causing shortness of breath.

 

Factors linked to CHF include:

 

 

Diabetes

An overactive thyroid gland

A viral or bacterial infection in the heart muscle

Morbid obesity

High blood pressure

Damaged heart valves

 

Symptoms of CHF may include:

 

Fatigue and weakness, particularly when performing physical activities,

which stems from a lack of sufficient oxygen to the muscles.

 

Swelling in the lower extremities. If the right side of the heart is

affected, fluid builds up in the feet, ankles, abdomen, liver and legs.

Left-sided heart failure can cause fluid retention in the lungs, leading

to shortness of breath.

 

Wheezing or coughing up pinkish phlegm.

Dizzy spells.

Rapid weight gain from fluid retention.

 

Recommended Lifestyle Changes

 

The most important thing you can change is your diet - obesity and

diabetes are both linked to diet, and both linked to CHF. Consult a

nutritionist to determine a diet right for your situation.

 

 

If you smoke, quit. Tobacco has direct and damaging effects on the

cardiovascular system.

 

Avoid salt. Sodium promotes fluid retention. Avoid high-sodium foods,

heavily processed foods and unnecessary salt. .

 

Check other meds. Over-the-counter NSAIDS, such as aspirin, Motrin

(ibuprofen) and Aleve (Naproxen) may increase fluid retention. Tell your

doctor about any remedies you are taking.

 

Control risk factors. Work with your doctor to address high blood

pressure, diabetes and atherosclerosis or other heart problems.

Reduce stress. The hormones released by the body in response to stress,

anxiety and depression make the heart work harder. Practice relaxation

techniques, volunteer, and seek positive social interactions. The

relaxing breath (taught elsewhere on this site) can improve the

oxygenation of blood and take workload off the heart.

 

Nutrition and Supplements

 

If you are coping with, or are at risk of congestive heart failure, try

the following:

 

 

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10). CoQ10 is a powerful antioxidant that has been

shown to be beneficial for heart health by re-energizing the

mitochondria in the heart cells, which is where energy metabolism

occurs. This nutrient is very important for the heart cells of patients

with heart failure. CoQ10 may also help lower blood pressure.

 

L-Carnitine. This amino acid is essential for energy metabolism of the

heart muscle.

 

Cordyceps. This medicinal mushroom is a good energy booster and can

improve the efficiency of the lungs and heart.

 

Hawthorne. This herb may increase heart-muscle strength and also act as

a mild diuretic.

 

Be sure to discuss the use of any supplement with your doctor. Your

prescription drug dosages may need to be adjusted as these other

measures take effect.

 

www.drweil.com

 

 

 

 

AIM Barleygreen

" Wisdom of the Past, Food of the Future "

 

http://www.geocities.com/mrsjoguest/Diets.html

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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