You should be aware of what a stroke is so that if you or anyone around you is at risk of this condition, you will be aware of the importance of acting quickly when someone is having a stroke or has had a stroke recently so that the person may seek immediate help from medical personnel.
A stroke is a serious condition that requires immediate care because treatment can help to reduce the serious effects if the treatment is started soon enough. This medical condition can cause a sudden onset of symptoms. This sudden onset is caused by either a blockage of blood flow or a hemorrhage in a portion of the brain or a blockage of blood to the entire brain.
Ischemic
The Ischemic stroke (80%) is caused from a constriction in one of the brain's blood vessels caused by a hardened artery that is clogged with a blood clot. Arteriosclerosis is the medical condition in which plaque builds up in the arteries and makes the passageways of the blood vessels cramped from the build up.
Both the thrombotic and the embolic stroke are ischemic strokes. During the ischemic stroke, the blood is not able to reach the area of the constriction. A thrombotic stroke is caused by a blood clot in an artery leading to the brain and an embolic stroke is caused by a blood clot that moves to the brain from another place in the body.
The Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) is called the mini stroke because the blood circulation to the brain is only temporarily blocked. The symptom or symptoms may only last a few minutes or they may last for hours and sometime, a person may ignore the warning signs because they do not recognize the symptoms of a stroke.
Hemorrhagic
The Hemorrhagic stroke (20%)means that an artery has burst in the brain and that bleeding is occurring in the brain tissue and this bleeding kills brain cells. The uncontrolled bleeding may occur between the skull and the brain, in which case, it is a subarachnoid hemorrhage or the bleeding may be deeper into the brain tissues which is called a intracerebral hemorrhage.
The reasons that can cause the rupture the of arterial wall includes a bulge site caused by high blood pressure or injury (aneurysm) or a birth defect in the formation of the blood vessel in the brain (arteriovenous malformation AVM) which can weaken a wall of a blood vessel.
Persons with some medical conditions or because of a hereditary disorder may have a higher risk than other groups of having a stroke. It is important that you become familiar with the it and its warning signs because the sooner you recognize the symptoms because the sooner that treatment can be started, the better.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Why Bad Cholesterol Is Bad For You
LDL, or low-density lipoprotein, cholesterol has been dubbed bad cholesterol. This bad cholesterol is bad because high level of LDL cholesterol levels in your blood over time can build up in the walls of your arteries that feed the organs in your body. Plaque causes the arteries to become narrow and less flexible, a condition called atherosclerosis. If an artery becomes too narrow or becomes completely blocked by a clot heart attack and stroke can be the result.
A cholesterol test revealing a measured bad cholesterol level of between 130-159 mg/dl is considered to be borderline high. LDL cholesterol blood levels of 160 mg/dl or higher are considered high. Bad cholesterol levels should be held down to 129 mg/dl or lower, anything less than 100 mg/dl is optimal.
Controlling Bad Cholesterol
Controlling high levels of bad cholesterol can be difficult by dietary means alone. Reading labels and ingesting low fat, cholesterol free foods along with increasing regular exercise can help lower LDL cholesterol levels. But having high levels of bad cholesterol also comes from genetics. If your parents and their siblings and their parents generally have higher than normal cholesterol levels it is likely that you will too.
There are many prescription medicines that can help lower bad cholesterol. If you have made proper dietary and lifestyle changes with no result, cholesterol-reducing drugs, known at statins, can be taken. As with any medicine, statins have side effects. Mild side effects such as stomach upset, gas, constipation and cramping usually go away after taking the drug for a short while. Serious side effects while taking statins are rare but include liver problems and muscle pain and weakness. Liver function tests are regularly given to patients using statin drugs to monitor for problems.
Good Cholesterol Must Be Monitored Also
When your cholesterol levels are tested another type of cholesterol, known as high-density lipoprotein or HDL, is measured also. HDL cholesterol is commonly though of as the good cholesterol. Unlike bad cholesterol, low levels (40 mg/dl or less) of HDL cholesterol can increase the risk of heart attack and stroke. An HDL cholesterol level of 60 mg/dl is desirable.
Increased Risks As You Age
Monitoring your cholesterol and maintaining healthy levels becomes more and more important as we get older. Aging brings about changes that increase our risks for health problems such as high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease. Age related diseases such as arthritis cause people to become less active when they get older. So controlling your cholesterol levels become even more important later in life to ensure a long vigorous life.
A cholesterol test revealing a measured bad cholesterol level of between 130-159 mg/dl is considered to be borderline high. LDL cholesterol blood levels of 160 mg/dl or higher are considered high. Bad cholesterol levels should be held down to 129 mg/dl or lower, anything less than 100 mg/dl is optimal.
Controlling Bad Cholesterol
Controlling high levels of bad cholesterol can be difficult by dietary means alone. Reading labels and ingesting low fat, cholesterol free foods along with increasing regular exercise can help lower LDL cholesterol levels. But having high levels of bad cholesterol also comes from genetics. If your parents and their siblings and their parents generally have higher than normal cholesterol levels it is likely that you will too.
There are many prescription medicines that can help lower bad cholesterol. If you have made proper dietary and lifestyle changes with no result, cholesterol-reducing drugs, known at statins, can be taken. As with any medicine, statins have side effects. Mild side effects such as stomach upset, gas, constipation and cramping usually go away after taking the drug for a short while. Serious side effects while taking statins are rare but include liver problems and muscle pain and weakness. Liver function tests are regularly given to patients using statin drugs to monitor for problems.
Good Cholesterol Must Be Monitored Also
When your cholesterol levels are tested another type of cholesterol, known as high-density lipoprotein or HDL, is measured also. HDL cholesterol is commonly though of as the good cholesterol. Unlike bad cholesterol, low levels (40 mg/dl or less) of HDL cholesterol can increase the risk of heart attack and stroke. An HDL cholesterol level of 60 mg/dl is desirable.
Increased Risks As You Age
Monitoring your cholesterol and maintaining healthy levels becomes more and more important as we get older. Aging brings about changes that increase our risks for health problems such as high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease. Age related diseases such as arthritis cause people to become less active when they get older. So controlling your cholesterol levels become even more important later in life to ensure a long vigorous life.
The Basics Of Cholesterol
Today obesity and other health problems are truly becoming an epidemic which has caused people to take care of their health. One aspect that people need to know more about is cholesterol. The common misperception is that all cholesterol is bad, but in fact there is both good and bad cholesterol that play different roles in your body. This is why it is important to learn about cholesterol and how it affects your health so you know what your treatment options are. Basically there are two types of cholesterol LDL and HDL.
LDL And HDL
LDL is considered the bad form of cholesterol because two much of it in your blood can build up on the inner artery that feed the heart and brain over time. In addition, LDL can work with other substances in the body to form plaque which is a thick, hard deposit that can eventually clog the arteries causing a condition known as atherosclerosis. HDL is considered the good form of cholesterol since high levels of this will help protect people against heart attacks and too low of levels can actually increase a persons risk of heart attack.
Triglycerides
When discussing cholesterol there is one other factor you should consider and that is triglycerides. These are a form of fat that is found in food but is also made naturally in a persons body. This is important to cholesterol because it has been found that those with a high triglyceride level often also have a high total cholesterol, a high LDL and a low HDL.
It is very important to have your levels check regularly in order to keep yourself healthy and fit. Everyone’s health is affected to a large extent by cholesterol and you need to know when your LDL levels are too high, when your HDL levels are two low or when you have a combination of both. It is also a good idea to know when your body is healthy.
Although you need to check your levels regularly since they can change quite dramatically rather quickly. If you were checked about a month ago it doesn’t mean you are still healthy today. So it is important to make LDL and HDL levels a part of your regular checkup at the doctors office. This way you can stay on top of your health and know when you need to make the necessary lifestyle changes to prolong your life and reduce your risk of heart disease. You doctor can recommend the necessary lifestyle changes and medications that you may need if they find you have high or low levels.
LDL And HDL
LDL is considered the bad form of cholesterol because two much of it in your blood can build up on the inner artery that feed the heart and brain over time. In addition, LDL can work with other substances in the body to form plaque which is a thick, hard deposit that can eventually clog the arteries causing a condition known as atherosclerosis. HDL is considered the good form of cholesterol since high levels of this will help protect people against heart attacks and too low of levels can actually increase a persons risk of heart attack.
Triglycerides
When discussing cholesterol there is one other factor you should consider and that is triglycerides. These are a form of fat that is found in food but is also made naturally in a persons body. This is important to cholesterol because it has been found that those with a high triglyceride level often also have a high total cholesterol, a high LDL and a low HDL.
It is very important to have your levels check regularly in order to keep yourself healthy and fit. Everyone’s health is affected to a large extent by cholesterol and you need to know when your LDL levels are too high, when your HDL levels are two low or when you have a combination of both. It is also a good idea to know when your body is healthy.
Although you need to check your levels regularly since they can change quite dramatically rather quickly. If you were checked about a month ago it doesn’t mean you are still healthy today. So it is important to make LDL and HDL levels a part of your regular checkup at the doctors office. This way you can stay on top of your health and know when you need to make the necessary lifestyle changes to prolong your life and reduce your risk of heart disease. You doctor can recommend the necessary lifestyle changes and medications that you may need if they find you have high or low levels.
Friday, November 2, 2007
What Are Healthy Cholesterol Levels?
One of the leading causes of death today is heart disease. This is because elevated LDL cholesterol levels and low HDL cholesterol levels are closely linked to heart disease. With the increase of LDL cholesterol within the arteries there is a corresponding susceptibility of cholesterol clinging to the arterial walls which in turn may block flow through the coronary arteries to the heart. This in turn may cause heart disease or strokes.
Therefore, because of this medical fact it is highly recommended that individuals have their cholesterol levels checked on a regular basis. It is recommended by the medical community that the blood of individuals be checked for healthy cholesterol levels when they reach the age of 20 and every five years after that. In addition, a doctor may order blood work more frequently to make sure that their patients maintain healthy cholesterol levels.
When the lab results come back from the laboratory, the doctor will consult with the patient to make sure that the results reflect healthy cholesterol levels. Those results will reflect LDL levels and HDL levels that may or may not be considered healthy cholesterol levels.
LDL Levels
LDL cholesterol is that cholesterol in the human body that is known as the bad cholesterol. LDL cholesterol is known as bad cholesterol because its texture is fatty-like in substance. This non-soluble texture creates a water and oil type of blending which may cause the LDL cholesterol to clog the arteries by adhering to the inner walls. Obviously, this is not a good condition. This cholesterol is created within the body by the liver as well as the ingestion of high cholesterol and fatty foods.
Healthy cholesterol levels of LDL levels should be below 200mg. Anything above this can be classified as risky or dangerous levels of LDL cholesterol.
HDL Levels
HDL cholesterol is good cholesterol and blends well into the bloodstream. The purpose of cholesterol is to combine with the proteins found in the bloodstream and to create a lipoprotein. This process is an integral part of the metabolism process required to maintain the healthy function of the body.
A healthy cholesterol level of HDL cholesterol is the same for both men and women. This healthy cholesterol level should be 60 mg or above. A non-healthy cholesterol level of HDL cholesterol is different for both men and women. For men non-healthy cholesterol level of 40 mg or below is worrisome and non-healthy cholesterol levels of 50 mg or below is of concern for a woman.
Therefore, because of this medical fact it is highly recommended that individuals have their cholesterol levels checked on a regular basis. It is recommended by the medical community that the blood of individuals be checked for healthy cholesterol levels when they reach the age of 20 and every five years after that. In addition, a doctor may order blood work more frequently to make sure that their patients maintain healthy cholesterol levels.
When the lab results come back from the laboratory, the doctor will consult with the patient to make sure that the results reflect healthy cholesterol levels. Those results will reflect LDL levels and HDL levels that may or may not be considered healthy cholesterol levels.
LDL Levels
LDL cholesterol is that cholesterol in the human body that is known as the bad cholesterol. LDL cholesterol is known as bad cholesterol because its texture is fatty-like in substance. This non-soluble texture creates a water and oil type of blending which may cause the LDL cholesterol to clog the arteries by adhering to the inner walls. Obviously, this is not a good condition. This cholesterol is created within the body by the liver as well as the ingestion of high cholesterol and fatty foods.
Healthy cholesterol levels of LDL levels should be below 200mg. Anything above this can be classified as risky or dangerous levels of LDL cholesterol.
HDL Levels
HDL cholesterol is good cholesterol and blends well into the bloodstream. The purpose of cholesterol is to combine with the proteins found in the bloodstream and to create a lipoprotein. This process is an integral part of the metabolism process required to maintain the healthy function of the body.
A healthy cholesterol level of HDL cholesterol is the same for both men and women. This healthy cholesterol level should be 60 mg or above. A non-healthy cholesterol level of HDL cholesterol is different for both men and women. For men non-healthy cholesterol level of 40 mg or below is worrisome and non-healthy cholesterol levels of 50 mg or below is of concern for a woman.
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Many Try To Lower High Cholesterol And Lipitor Can Help
Sometimes diet and exercise just are not enough to reduce high cholesterol and Lipitor is often prescribed to help lower the level of bad cholesterol in the blood. The drug, known as atorvastatin helps stop the production of cholesterol in the body, thereby lowering the overall cholesterol level in the body. As a member of the statin family of drug, it is often used to treat patients in whom high cholesterol may be blamed on genetics.
Of two principal causes of high levels of bad cholesterol, diet and exercise can only control one of them. The other cause, inherited from other members of the family will not be affected by diet. Rather it is caused by the amount of cholesterol produced by the body. Looking for ways to combat this infusion of high cholesterol and Lipitor can help by effectively stopping its production.
Other drugs work as absorption inhibitors to stop cholesterol from being absorbed by the body and in cases of severely high cholesterol and Lipitor used along with an absorption inhibitor can reduce the overall cholesterol faster than a single drug plan alone. However, with the side effect potential of both types of drugs, many doctors are reluctant to use them both at once, except in extreme circumstances.
Side Effects Should Not Deter Use
Under most circumstances, many drugs offer potential side effects. Many drugs for high cholesterol and Lipitor is no exception, have the potential to cause muscle pain as well as digestive disorders, although usually short-lived. Any adverse reaction to any drug should be reported to the doctor immediately to determine if the benefit of the drug is going to worth the reaction.
Repeated tests have shown a correlation between reducing the incidence of heart attacks due to the lowering of high cholesterol and Lipitor being used as one of the weapons in the battle against bad cholesterol. Doctors regularly prescribe Lipitor, or one of the other statin drugs to help reduce high cholesterol in their patients who have not been successful in reducing it on their own through lifestyle changes.
In many cases people may experience a lower of high cholesterol and Lipitor will still be part of their daily regimen. Although the doctor may reduce the dosage, they will be reluctant to remove something from the patient’s pharmaceutical treatment that has been successful due to the possibility of the cholesterol returning to its higher level.
Of two principal causes of high levels of bad cholesterol, diet and exercise can only control one of them. The other cause, inherited from other members of the family will not be affected by diet. Rather it is caused by the amount of cholesterol produced by the body. Looking for ways to combat this infusion of high cholesterol and Lipitor can help by effectively stopping its production.
Other drugs work as absorption inhibitors to stop cholesterol from being absorbed by the body and in cases of severely high cholesterol and Lipitor used along with an absorption inhibitor can reduce the overall cholesterol faster than a single drug plan alone. However, with the side effect potential of both types of drugs, many doctors are reluctant to use them both at once, except in extreme circumstances.
Side Effects Should Not Deter Use
Under most circumstances, many drugs offer potential side effects. Many drugs for high cholesterol and Lipitor is no exception, have the potential to cause muscle pain as well as digestive disorders, although usually short-lived. Any adverse reaction to any drug should be reported to the doctor immediately to determine if the benefit of the drug is going to worth the reaction.
Repeated tests have shown a correlation between reducing the incidence of heart attacks due to the lowering of high cholesterol and Lipitor being used as one of the weapons in the battle against bad cholesterol. Doctors regularly prescribe Lipitor, or one of the other statin drugs to help reduce high cholesterol in their patients who have not been successful in reducing it on their own through lifestyle changes.
In many cases people may experience a lower of high cholesterol and Lipitor will still be part of their daily regimen. Although the doctor may reduce the dosage, they will be reluctant to remove something from the patient’s pharmaceutical treatment that has been successful due to the possibility of the cholesterol returning to its higher level.
Friday, August 3, 2007
How Can I Lower Cholesterol Naturally?
We have all seen the cholesterol lowering drugs advertised on television. Along with the benefits they tout are the disclaimers listing many side effects that may come about when using these drugs. Is it any wonder that we would rather find ways to lower our cholesterol levels naturally?
We all know the diet and exercise recommendations for healthy living. Low fat, low cholesterol diets rich in fruits and vegetables promote good health. And no healthy lifestyle is complete without regular, frequent exercise. But incorporating these things into our daily lives are difficult lifestyle changes. The results of making these changes can not only lower cholesterol naturally but also decrease the risks of developing major illnesses like heart disease.
Add Exercise Slowly But Do It Daily
As important as it is to lower LDL or bad cholesterol naturally it is just as important to raise the level of HDL or good cholesterol. Regular exercise has been shown to do just that. Raise the good and lower the bad.
Start with a fifteen-minute workout everyday. Ride a bike, jog or swim, lift weights or try a step aerobics class. Be sure that at least half of your workout exercises your cardiovascular system. Gradually increase both the length and intensity of your workout, as you get stronger. Just be sure to workout everyday with no excuses. If you can afford to go to a gym and hire a personal trainer do it. The expense of a gym now can save you a lot of money on doctors visits later.
It takes twelve weeks to develop a habit so commit to working out everyday for this amount of time. You will soon feel better and look forward to your daily workouts.
Dietary Changes Can Do Wonders For Lowering Cholesterol Naturally
Use olive and fish oils as your only fats. Increase your fruit and vegetable intake. There are specific foods that will help lower your cholesterol naturally such as alfalfa sprouts, berries, brewer’s yeast, fish, eggplant, garlic, whole grains, soy products and yogurt to name a few. There are so many foods that aid in lowering cholesterol naturally that you are bound to find a few that you love.
Eat smaller amounts of food more often. Instead of three big meals a day, try six smaller ones. Prepare your own meals as often as possible. This way you know all the ingredients and control the fats and cholesterol.
Take a daily multivitamin to make sure you are getting a completely nutritious diet.
We all know the diet and exercise recommendations for healthy living. Low fat, low cholesterol diets rich in fruits and vegetables promote good health. And no healthy lifestyle is complete without regular, frequent exercise. But incorporating these things into our daily lives are difficult lifestyle changes. The results of making these changes can not only lower cholesterol naturally but also decrease the risks of developing major illnesses like heart disease.
Add Exercise Slowly But Do It Daily
As important as it is to lower LDL or bad cholesterol naturally it is just as important to raise the level of HDL or good cholesterol. Regular exercise has been shown to do just that. Raise the good and lower the bad.
Start with a fifteen-minute workout everyday. Ride a bike, jog or swim, lift weights or try a step aerobics class. Be sure that at least half of your workout exercises your cardiovascular system. Gradually increase both the length and intensity of your workout, as you get stronger. Just be sure to workout everyday with no excuses. If you can afford to go to a gym and hire a personal trainer do it. The expense of a gym now can save you a lot of money on doctors visits later.
It takes twelve weeks to develop a habit so commit to working out everyday for this amount of time. You will soon feel better and look forward to your daily workouts.
Dietary Changes Can Do Wonders For Lowering Cholesterol Naturally
Use olive and fish oils as your only fats. Increase your fruit and vegetable intake. There are specific foods that will help lower your cholesterol naturally such as alfalfa sprouts, berries, brewer’s yeast, fish, eggplant, garlic, whole grains, soy products and yogurt to name a few. There are so many foods that aid in lowering cholesterol naturally that you are bound to find a few that you love.
Eat smaller amounts of food more often. Instead of three big meals a day, try six smaller ones. Prepare your own meals as often as possible. This way you know all the ingredients and control the fats and cholesterol.
Take a daily multivitamin to make sure you are getting a completely nutritious diet.
Normal Levels Of Cholesterol Can Keep Heart Healthy
Many people are working to achieve normal levels of cholesterol for the health of their heart and there are many options available to help them succeed. The problem is there are conflicting theories concerning what the normal levels of cholesterol numbers should be, while most focus on the level of bad cholesterol and ignore the fact that there such as thing as good cholesterol.
There are no age, weight or gender factors involved in determining the normal levels of cholesterol, rather they are based on their effects on the blood. Bad cholesterol, that everyone is concerned about, can also be harmful with a high level of triglycerides, which is essentially fat in the blood stream. The bad cholesterol, with an optimal density of about 100 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dl) coupled with an optimal level of triglycerides of about 150 mg/dl is considered normal levels of cholesterol.
However, good cholesterol should be between 50 and 60 mg/dl to be effective in helping the blood flow smoothly. If a person has high bad cholesterol and high triglycerides along with a low level of good cholesterol, in can be damaging to their coronary system. The blood can become sticky, causing clots and subsequent heart attack and stroke, if the clot occurs in a vessel in the brain. A balanced level of normal levels of cholesterol can help reduce the risk of heart disease as well as diabetes and stroke.
Keep Options In Mind For Better Heart Health
Typically, cholesterol comes from two sources, who you are and what you eat. A person can change their diet and lifestyle to help achieve normal levels of cholesterol, but hereditary cannot be changed. It may take medical intervention to bring bad cholesterol levels into the normal levels of cholesterol considered safe. Additionally, medication may be needed to reduce the triglycerides in the blood. A low level of good cholesterol, under 50 can usually be helped through regular exercise. However, some of the drugs available for the reduction of bas cholesterol can also raised the good cholesterol level.
Cholesterol gets into the system once the food is eaten and digested and it is during this process that cholesterol drugs work. One method uses statins to help keep the cholesterol flowing through the system where it is expelled without getting caught up in the blood stream. The other uses absorption inhibitors to keep the cholesterol from being absorbed, again allowing it to be dispelled before getting into the blood. Both help maintain normal levels of cholesterol in the body.
The type of medication will be determined by talking to the doctor to see which will work best for you, as well as which type will likely have the fewer side effects.
There are no age, weight or gender factors involved in determining the normal levels of cholesterol, rather they are based on their effects on the blood. Bad cholesterol, that everyone is concerned about, can also be harmful with a high level of triglycerides, which is essentially fat in the blood stream. The bad cholesterol, with an optimal density of about 100 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dl) coupled with an optimal level of triglycerides of about 150 mg/dl is considered normal levels of cholesterol.
However, good cholesterol should be between 50 and 60 mg/dl to be effective in helping the blood flow smoothly. If a person has high bad cholesterol and high triglycerides along with a low level of good cholesterol, in can be damaging to their coronary system. The blood can become sticky, causing clots and subsequent heart attack and stroke, if the clot occurs in a vessel in the brain. A balanced level of normal levels of cholesterol can help reduce the risk of heart disease as well as diabetes and stroke.
Keep Options In Mind For Better Heart Health
Typically, cholesterol comes from two sources, who you are and what you eat. A person can change their diet and lifestyle to help achieve normal levels of cholesterol, but hereditary cannot be changed. It may take medical intervention to bring bad cholesterol levels into the normal levels of cholesterol considered safe. Additionally, medication may be needed to reduce the triglycerides in the blood. A low level of good cholesterol, under 50 can usually be helped through regular exercise. However, some of the drugs available for the reduction of bas cholesterol can also raised the good cholesterol level.
Cholesterol gets into the system once the food is eaten and digested and it is during this process that cholesterol drugs work. One method uses statins to help keep the cholesterol flowing through the system where it is expelled without getting caught up in the blood stream. The other uses absorption inhibitors to keep the cholesterol from being absorbed, again allowing it to be dispelled before getting into the blood. Both help maintain normal levels of cholesterol in the body.
The type of medication will be determined by talking to the doctor to see which will work best for you, as well as which type will likely have the fewer side effects.
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