Blood Presure, Cholesterol And Matters Of The Heart

Fact 1 - The Major Cause Of High Blood Pressure

The cause of over 90% of high blood pressure cases is unknown. Scientists don’t fully understand the causes of high blood pressure, but most cases can be effectively treated.

Fact 2 - A Common Symptom Of High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure is commonly has no symptoms. It is often referred to as the silent killer. It is estimated to about 35% of people with high blood pressure do not know they have it.

Fact 3 - The Biggest Risk Factor For Sudden Cardiac Death Is Smoking

Smoker’s risk of heart attack is more than twice that of nonsmokers. In fact, cigarette smoking is the biggest risk factor for sudden cardiac death: smokers have two or four times the risk of nonsmokers. Smokers who have heart attack are more likely to die and die suddenly than nonsmokers.

When people stop smoking, regardless of how long or how much they’ve smoked, their risk of heart disease rapidly declines. Three years after quitting, the risk of death of heart disease and stroke for people who smoked a pack a day or less is almost the same as people who never smoked. It’s important to stop smoking before the signs of heart disease appear. If you smoke, QUIT NOW! And if you don’t smoke, DON’T START!

Fact 4 - High Blood Pressure Increase The Heart’s Workload

When high blood pressure exists with obesity, smoking, high cholesterol levels and diabetes, the rick of heart attack or stroke increases several times. People who have high blood pressure should work with their doctor to control it. Eating a proper diet, losing weight, exercising regularly, restricting salt (sodium) intake and following a program of medication may all be prescribed to lower blood pressure and keep it within healthy limits.

Fact 5 - A Healthy Person Over 35 Years Should Have Their Blood Cholesterol Checked Every 5 Years

Fact 6 - Most Cholesterol Is Produced By The Liver

Foods from animals, especially from egg yolks, meat, fish, poultry and whole milk dairy products, contain it; food from plants don’t. Typically the body makes all the cholesterol it needs, so people don’t have to consume it to maintain their health. Eating food high in saturated fats can also increase blood cholesterol levels.

Fact 7 - High Blood Cholesterol Risk Factor

High blood cholesterol is a risk factor for atherosclerosis (clogged arteries), stroke and heart attack

Fact 8 - Highest Risk Factor For Stroke

Hypertension is the most important risk factor for stroke. In fact, stroke risk varies directly with blood pressure. What make high blood pressure even more significant is that it afflicts about one in every four American adults.

Fact 9 - The Level Of HDL In The Blood Should Be Greater Than 35mg/dL

It’s thought that HDL picks up the cholesterol and brings it back to the liver for reprocessing or excretion. Some researchers believe HDL may also remove excess cholesterol out of the system and high levels of it are associated with a decreased risk of heart disease. HDL is often called good cholesterol. The levels of HDL and LDL in the blood are measured to evaluate the risk of atherosclerosis.

Fact 10 - Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) 60% To 80% Of The Body’s Cholesterol

LDL is the major cholesterol carrier in the blood, carrying about 60 to 80 percent of the body cholesterol. Some of this cholesterol circulation in the bloodstream is used by tissues to build cell, some is return to the liver. If too much LDL cholesterol circulates in the blood, cholesterol may also be deposited in artery walls and cause plaques and atherosclerosis. The tendency for high levels of LDL to produce arterial deposits is why LDL is often called bad cholesterol and why lower levels of LDL reflect a reduced risk of heart disease.

For more great information and instant updates on healthy lifestyle, subscribe to Healthy Lifestyle Blogzine today. You should also visit Healthy Cooking Recipes for some great healthy treats!

Related Article: