Health Care Articles

Stroke is a condition wherein the flow of blood to the brain is disrupted due to a blood clot or ruptured blood vessel or artery. A lack of oxygen or glucose in the blood causes brain damage or death of the brain cells. This leads to speechlessness or loss of memory or impairment of any part of the body.

Types and severity of stroke

There are two major types of strokes namely ischemic and hemorrhagic. The former is the more prevalent as it is observed in close to 75% of the stroke patients. This type of stroke happens when there is a blood clot or thrombus that disrupts the flow of blood to the brain. The clotting of blood in any part of the body causing free-floating of the blood is termed as embolus. This type of circulating blood clot if carried to the brain causes ischemic stroke. The hemorrhagic stroke generally occurs when the blood in any part of the brain fills the space between the brain and the skull. This condition may be caused when any of the blood vessel or artery in the brain ruptures inefficiently. Sometimes, it may yield severe symptoms when there is a heavy build up of blood in the part of the brain.

The severity of the stroke depends largely on which part of the brain the stroke occurs and to what extent it has affected the flow of the blood. If the condition is mild, then the person may experience weakness in the arms, difficulty in moving, incontinence or problems in the urinary bladder. Nevertheless, severe strokes can lead to paralysis or death.

Causes of stroke

Ischemic strokes occur when an embolus or thrombus blocks the flow of bloodstream to the brain. Thrombus clots (or blood clots) occur when the arteries are damaged by atherosclerosis (fatty deposits of blood). The embolus blood clots are caused mainly due to atrial fibrillation, which is an irregular heartbeat pattern that ultimately results in clot or poor flow of blood.

Hemorrhage strokes are caused due to high blood pressure, head injury, or aneurysms (a type of cardiovascular disease). High blood pressure is one of the chief causes of cerebral hemorrhage mainly because it causes some of the brain arteries to burst wide open. The burst or crack puts more pressure on the brain as the oxygen flow is gradually disrupted.

Aneurysms is the condition wherein the fatty deposits of blood clots leads to weak spots or cracks along the walls of the artery. It is also the commonest cause of an abnormality termed as subarachnoid hemorrhage. Aneurysm mainly leads to the filling of blood in the region between the skull and the brain. It is to be noted that high blood pressure may also lead to Aneurysm.

How to prevent stroke?

A healthy lifestyle can very well prevent the occurrence of stroke in most cases. Some of the things that you can do to keep away from stroke are highlighted as follows.
Control the blood pressure and cholesterol levels in your body
Treat and control diabetes with proper medications.
Avoid excessive smoking or drinking, especially when you are ill or suffering from any ailment.
Check out for any atrial fibrillation.

Most importantly, don’t get tensed or stressed for any reason; stick to a healthy diet. Do regular exercises to get rid of the excess fat in the body. Engaging in physical activities can help prevent the blood clots. You can do simple workouts even while you are watching TV programs using any of the popular cable services such as the FiOS TV.

Heart disease and strokes are leading causes of death and permanent disability each year. They are responsible for hundreds of thousands of adults needlessly losing their lives each year. Thousands of adults also become partially or totally disabled after a having a heart attack or stroke. The risks of having a heart or stroke can be reduced by lifestyle changes. A few risk factors include obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels and circulation problems all of which diets play a major part. Consequently, many of these deaths and disabilities could be prevented or reduced by eliminating the consumption of foods which are known to increase the risks of any of these conditions and increasing the consumption of health promoting foods.

One food that excels in promoting heart health is tomatoes. They are remarkable in their ability to positively affect heart health. They are among the most popular foods consumed which contain a wide range of health-promoting benefits. There are thousands of varieties of tomatoes available all over the world. They come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes and colors. They range from small cherry tomatoes to large beefsteak tomatoes. There are standard varieties and even heirloom tomatoes. They are available in various colors such as yellow, orange, green and red.

Tomatoes are acclaimed for the heart health benefits they provide. They are known to lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels. They have also been shown to help prevent unwanted clumping together of the platelet cells in the blood. This is a very important factor in lowering the risk of heart problems like atherosclerosis. They have also been shown to reduce stroke risk.

Tomatoes are well known for their high antioxidant content. They contain a very rich concentration of the potent antioxidant, lycopene which is the red pigment in tomatoes. Lycopene has the ability to neutralize free radicals that can damage cells in the body. Lycopene excels as the most effective antioxidant promoter of heart health. Lycopene may have specific properties that enable it to protect cells in a way other antioxidants may not. Sufficient levels of lycopene have been shown to lessen the chances of those suffering an ischemic stroke. This type of stroke is caused by a blood clot and it is the most common type of stroke. Tomatoes also contain phytonutrients which support heart health. Additionally, they also contain high amounts of vitamin C, potassium, iron, manganese, beta-carotene and vitamin E.

Those seeking to reduce their chances of having a heart attack or stroke should include tomatoes or tomato products in their diets on a daily basis or at least several times each week. Choose from a wide variety of fresh tomatoes. canned tomatoes, tomato juice, tomato sauces, sundried tomatoes and other varieties of tomato products. You can see that by simply choosing to each heart healthy foods such as tomatoes on a regular basis you can significantly reduce your risk of having a heart attack or stroke. This is the reason it is so important to include heart healthy foods in your diet.

Efforts in heart health education have taught us that high cholesterol equates to a higher risk of various debilitating and often fatal cardiovascular diseases. Unfortunately, many of the foods we eat in our daily diets contain ingredients that are harmful to the levels of fat in our bodies. You may have heard that omega-3 is excellent for your skin, and it is also hailed as a fantastic supplement for pregnant women. Omega-3 is found naturally in cold water oily fish such as salmon, tuna, trout, sardines, mackerel and herring. Omega-3 fatty acids that are found naturally occurring in fish are highly recommended as part of a balanced, heart-healthy diet.

The omega-3 fatty acids found in these oily fish is said to slow down the growth of plaque in the arteries and lower triglycerides, a type of fat found in the bloodstream. The lowering of these fat levels assists in not only preventing high cholesterol, but lowering fat levels in the bloodstream to in turn effectively manage cholesterol levels. A number of studies have been able to factually prove that regularly consumption of oily fish can lower triglyceride levels by between 25% and 30%, in turn leading to reduced risks of coronary heart disease.

In addition to itspositive effects in lowering fat build up in the arteries, oily fish is also effective in lowering blood pressure, and as you may well know, high blood pressure equals bad heart health. All this collective evidence has led certain governments in the world to release official recommendations for oily fish to be included in diets at least twice per week.

How much constitutes as two portions of oily fish in our diet each week? The general consensus is that one portion equals about 150g, which is the equivalent to a piece of fish about the size of your hand. If you are uncertain about how to incorporate it into your diet, try adding a can of tuna to some cooked pasta, or have a tuna sandwich at lunch. Mash some sardines onto toast or slide a fillet of fresh trout or herring onto your dinner plate. Bear in mind that the preparation of your food is crucially important too. Deep fried or battered fish will be stripped of its omega-3 oils. You should always try to avoid cooking your fish in vegetable fats that counteract its heart care goodness. Rather gently pan fry it in some cholesterol-friendly margarine, and steaming or microwaving it will maintain its nutrients and prevent the fish from drying out. After all, you don’t only want your heart to enjoy the fish, but your palette too!

Armed with this knowledge, you should definitely be able to add an assortment of oily fish to your diet on a weekly basis. Learn different ways to cook and enjoy this fish and you will have another facet added to your diet and cleaner arteries, of course.

Our eating habits control various body functions for the healthy you. Whatever you eat balances the amount of nutrients and essential elements in the body, so it is always recommended to pick healthy foods and keep the munching on junkies minimal. Our heart is one of the most important organs as it pumps out the blood through the entire body. You must have heard the doctors and dietitians advise to adapting with a diet that lowers the cholesterol for a healthy heart. This is a list of super foods to keep your bad cholesterol level lower and enhance the buildup of good cholesterol.

Tomatoes – The juicy vegetable tops the list as it is really easy to incorporate the tomatoes in your diet throughout any season. Filled with great benefits, they have the higher amount of lycopene, which give them beautiful red color, and eating these will keep the LDL cholesterol lower to a great extent. The healthy heart diet vegetable releases even more lycopene when they are cooked.

Almonds – The crunchy nut has several benefits and we cannot ignore them anyway. The great source of Vitamin E, Biotin, Manganese, Monounsaturated Fats, and Fibers which help to prevent production of high cholesterol and fight with the bad fat. It reduces heart diseases and risk of diabetes as it is high in HDL cholesterol. Therefore, without giving any second thoughts make them the part of your grocery list.

Garlic – It is known for its various properties to kill the bacteria and fungi to aid digestive disorders and lower the bad cholesterol level. The high amount of allicin helps to keep the long-term effects for the same. Through any of the medium i.e. powder, extract, tablet, oil, or raw it has same benefits.

Dark Chocolate – Who else would say no to the super delicious food? You must have heard from the doctors that the dark chocolates are healthy for the heart. They are pure and contain theobromine, which is an active compound for increasing the good cholesterol in the blood. It also prevents blood platelets from sticking together and keeps the consistency of the blood accurate as to prevent the arteries from clogging.

Apple – We have heard many times that an apple a day keeps the doctor away. It is actually true for the heart patients who daily eat apples has good amount of antioxidants and soluble fats that keeps the bad cholesterol at the bay.

High cholesterol level in our body can lead to a number of health issues. It can cause heart diseases, stroke, high blood pressure and type-2 diabetes. So it’s a serious issue to control it. Those who suffer from high cholesterol issues should know that your diet plays an important role in determining the cholesterol level. Therefore, before eating any food it is necessary to analyze how it impacts your body.

Different health organizations suggest mentioning cholesterol level and other nutritional details on food boxes. This facilitates the customers who want to monitor their everyday diet. Custom food boxes are printed with all the details to provide customers with relevant information.

If you choose a right food item, you can lower down the cholesterol floating in your bloodstream. It does not means that you have to leave the foods which contain more cholesterol like eggs or cheese; rather it is about moderation and balancing your diet. Eating a combination of foods with are rich in nutrients helping you to tackle the problem from the root. Below are 8 best foods to lower your cholesterol:

1) Beans and Legumes

Beans contain tons of fibers, which slows down the absorption amount of cholesterol. They are also rich in antioxidants and contain traces of minerals to support healthy circulation. Taking black beans, chickpeas, kidney beans, and others can help you in reducing the cholesterol level. You can take in salads, soups, and hummus.

Legumes are also known as pulses. They are a group of plant foods including beans, peas, and lentils. Legumes contain a large proportion of fibers, minerals, and proteins. Replacing processed meat and refined grains with legumes in your everyday diet can help in decreasing the risk of heart diseases. If you have ever come across details on food boxes containing pulses and beans, you will get complete nutritional information for every single serving.

2) Green Vegetables

Vegetables are nutrient-dense and high-antioxidant foods. They are rich in phytochemicals which fight free radical damages and slows down the aging process. They help in keeping the arteries flexible and healthy. Leafy green vegetables like kale and spinach contain fewer calories but offer maximum protection against heart attacks.

They help arteries walls to stay clear of cholesterol. Taking a variety of vegetables like cabbage, onions, broccoli, and artichokes up for fiber intake and overcome heart diseases. Green vegetables are most commonly used in Chinese food as well. It’s rare that you find Chinese takeout boxes without a combination of vegetables with other food items.

3) Fatty Fish

Fatty fish like salmon and mackerel are the source of omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 bolsters the heart health by maintaining cholesterol level. It lowers inflammation and stroke risk. It is also responsible for decreasing depression, cognitive disorders, and other similar conditions.

Fish is extensively studied for its benefits on heart health. Whenever you choose fish as food be specific for its healthy aspects. If you are purchasing raw fish, read the details on custom food boxes to make the best choice. The healthiest way to cook the fish is steaming or stewing. On the other hand, fried fish can increase the risk of heart diseases more.

4) Avocados

Avocados are the greatest source of heart-healthy monounsaturated fats. They raise the level of HDL cholesterol (also known as good cholesterol) and lower down LDL (also known as bad cholesterol). They contain a high level of soluble fibers and stabilize blood sugar level. You can get a number of Avocados recipes on the Internet. Add them to smoothies, salads, eggs, and desserts.

5) Nuts

All kinds of nuts are a good source of polyunsaturated and mono-unsaturated fats. They provide a healthy amount of fiber. Some nuts like almonds contain plant-based compounds which help in improving artery health and reduce inflammation.

Studies have revealed that nuts decrease “bad” LDL cholesterol level. They prevent the formation of cholesterol plague inside the walls of arteries. You may take nuts in any form. Often people love the cookies with nuts. Make a count of nutritional details mentioned on cookie boxes prior to purchase. Make sure that they are rich in nuts and other nutrients.

6) Whole Grains especially Oats and Barley

Whole grains are responsible for lowering heart disease risk. Whole grains are a better source of fibers, minerals, vitamins, and plant compounds than the refined grains. Oats and Barley are the most useful in the category. Both of them are rich in beta-glucan. It’s a soluble fiber which helps to lower the cholesterol.

7) Green Tea

Green tea is famous for anti-aging. It is not only rich in cancer-fighting oxidants but also supportive of heart health. It prevents the LDL cholesterol level from rising. Studies have revealed that drinking green tea can reduce blood pressure, inflammation, and heart diseases.It also improves bone density and brain functionality. Green tea is available in a number of flavors. You can choose any of your favorite ones by having a look at food boxes used for packaging tea.

8) Garlic

Garlic is one of the most-researched heart-healthy ingredients. The benefits of raw garlic reverse the disease. It has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic properties. It also boosts the immune.

Garlic has been found one of the best foods to lower the cholesterol level and prevent blood clots. It fights against infections and reduces blood pressure. You can easily take it in your everyday meal. Include it in soups, sauces, roasted vegetables, and marinades.

Having high cholesterol levels in blood is never good for your health. That’s because it can lead you to numerous health issues, such as heart diseases. Hence, it is important to understand the most effective methods available out there as of now to reduce cholesterol levels in the blood. Keep on reading and we will share some proven strategies with you on reducing cholesterol level in blood.

Foods that reduce blood cholesterol levels

There are numerous foods that can help you with reducing cholesterol level in blood. Out of those foods, olive oil, corn oil, and sunflower oil hold a prominent place. These oils are effectively capable of reducing the reliance you have on butter and grease. On the other hand, you should take a look at seeds, nuts, and avocado, which are excellent options for reducing blood cholesterol. If you want to keep cholesterol levels low, you should stick to leaner cuts of meat, while reducing the overall intake of red meat. You should also consume more herring, trout, sardines, salmon, and mackerel. They come along with omega-3 unsaturated fats, which will deliver multiple health benefits to you.

While looking for the foods that can help you with reducing cholesterol levels in blood, you may also take a look at the foods that are offering soluble fibers. That’s because such foods are in a position to reduce the absorption of cholesterol to the bloodstream. Along with that, you can easily reduce the intake of LDL cholesterol. Some of the best examples for such foods include strawberries, citrus foods, grapes, and apples. On the other hand, vegetables such as carrots, eggplants, and okra can also deliver numerous health benefits and help you control bodyweight and cholesterol.

It is always a good idea to increase the intake of leafy greens such as spinach and kale. They are quite effective in terms of helping you to reduce cholesterol levels in the bloodstream. Moreover, you should replace bread with foods that are filed with whole grains. This will also help you to reduce the risk of getting heart diseases, while providing your body with all minerals and vitamins needed.

Lifestyle changes to improve your cholesterol

There are numerous changes that you should do your lifestyle to reduce cholesterol levels as well. You can reduce your bad cholesterol – and increase your good cholesterol – with a few simple lifestyle changes. In general, you should think about increasing all the physical activities that you work on. For example, you will be able to select a physical activity that you love to engage with. Then you will not feel like you are working hard on that. You will just be able to engage with that physical activity leisurely and experience the support that it can help to you with reducing cholesterol levels in blood.

If you are a person who smoke cigarettes, you should get rid of that bad habit as well. That’s because smoking can increase the risk of getting HDL in the bloodstream. On the other hand, you will also be able to experience a significant improvement of blood pressure levels as soon as you stop smoking. Moreover, it is a good idea to limit the intake of alcohol as much as possible for your own betterment.

Medications to reduce cholesterol levels

While making lifestyle changes and diet changes, you should also focus on taking in appropriate medications that can help you with reducing cholesterol. This is where you should get in touch with your family doctor and seek assistance. You will be provided with appropriate medications, which can reduce the overall unhealthy cholesterol levels in blood.

By focusing on these tips, you will be able to overcome the negative effects that unhealthy cholesterol can create on your body.

There are still a huge number of people who have no idea about the dangerous effects of cholesterol on our body. However, it is a considerable fact that cholesterol is something that can be the reason for some critical types of sickness including some heart issues. This can be considered as the major reason why the greater percentage of certified doctors and medical experts suggest keeping cholesterol levels under control. Knowingly, lipids are those specific type of fats that do not get dissolved in the body and a lipid test helps in measuring the amount of that in the body.

Regular cholesterol levels are necessary because cholesterol takes part in so many major operations of the body. As a matter of fact, cholesterol plays a very important role in building cell walls also. On the other hand, increasing amounts of cholesterol can be very dangerous for anybody. Increment of cholesterol can be monitored through a Cholesterol test, which is also known as a lipid profile blood test. Some of the worst impacts of irregular cholesterol levels on the human body are mentioned below for you.

Bad impacts of cholesterol on a human body

High cholesterol in the body can give birth to life threatening complications. You will never know when the cholesterol levels are slowly increasing in your body. In a busy life schedule, it becomes hard for us to detect the presence of the disease at the initial stage, even if it is generating silly symptoms. As a matter of fact, heart artery diseases including heart attack are some of those complexions that take place because of high levels of cholesterol. Most of these heart diseases are well known for turning serious or even fatal after a certain point of time. As we all know, heart attacks have become very common these days, even among young aged people. As a matter of fact, it is well known for turning fatal in most of the cases.

Apart from that, cholesterol can also be the reason for disgraceful disorders like obesity, which can also give birth to several types of complexions. This is the major reason why doctors and medical experts always suggest taking all the necessary steps to avoid increasing levels of cholesterol or abnormal lipid functions. Apart from that, reduced blood flow to feet and legs is also one of the most mentionable negative effects of cholesterol on the human body.

How to stay away from cholesterol?

Getting involved in regular workout sessions is one of the most effective tricks to stay away from cholesterol.

Eating a heart healthy diet is also very much necessary to stay away from the negative effects of cholesterol.

People with high cholesterol should not be smoking as that can increase the risks of coronary artery diseases.

Proper maintenance of body weight is also important to avoid the further increment of cholesterol in the body.

Why should you go for a lipid test?

The best possible way to properly measure the cholesterol levels in the body is to go for a lipid profile test. There was a time when lipid profile test price used to be a bit higher than how it is now. However, now a lipid profile test cost is very much reasonable so anybody can afford it. So many people are showing their keenness these days to go for a lipid profile test as this is the best way to get the exact cholesterol levels measured.

How is a lipid test done?

Firstly a medical expert will be fetching a certain amount of blood from your vein. Soon after the sample is collected, it will be sent to the laboratory. After that, pathology experts will be examining the samples. Once they are done with that sample, it will not take much time for the test report to be generated. Once the test report is generated, the medical experts will be discussing the test result with you so that you understand every single detail. If any abnormality is caught on the lipid profile test report, then you may consult a certified doctor so that further steps for treatment can be taken.

There are a huge number of diagnostic centers that have already stepped in with the best solutions for you and your loved ones. Anytime you need any pathology test as well as lipid profile test, they are always just a call away from you. The best part is, they are now available even at your nearest locations too. Get in touch with any of them today to book a lipid profile test for you or your loved ones or to fetch more necessary information in this regard.