With February being National Heart Month, it’s important to reevaluate what you can be doing each day to improve your heart health. Many Americans don’t take their heart health seriously, which can lead to devastating consequences. In fact, according to the Center of Disease Control and Prevention, cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. To reduce your risk for cardiovascular disease, and to help your heart perform at its best, there are a few easy ways to improve your heart health. Eat dark chocolate Researchers have found an association between dark chocolate and lowered blood
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Archives for high blood pressure
The Connection Between Stress and Heart Disease
Stress is a normal part of life, and stressful situations can often leave you feeling tense, anxious, irritable or overwhelmed. But if you have chronic stress, or aren’t managing your stress in a healthy way, it can have negative effects and contribute to serious conditions like heart disease. How stress affects your heart When you experience stress, your body releases the hormone adrenaline. Adrenaline temporarily boosts your circulation, blood pressure, heart rate, and carbohydrate metabolism to prepare your muscles for exertion, or the “fight or flight” response to a stressful circumstance, which is quite normal. Chronic stress, however, continually exposes
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The Most Effective Ways to Lower Blood Pressure
If you have been diagnosed with high blood pressure (hypertension), you are not alone. As many as three million Americans suffer from high blood pressure every year. High blood pressure is defined as the systolic pressure (top number) reading 140 or above, or a diastolic pressure (bottom number) reading 90 or above. If you have recently been diagnosed with high blood pressure, it’s important to try other solutions to lower your blood pressure levels prior to exploring medical solutions. Below are a few things you can start doing today. Consume healthy, low-salt diet Consuming a healthy, low-salt diet rich in
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Understanding Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms
What is an abdominal aortic aneurysm? An abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) occurs when the lower part of the abdominal aorta becomes swollen and enlarged. In many cases, AAA will display no symptoms, making it a potentially dangerous condition if left untreated. The abdominal aorta is the largest artery, and it supplies oxygen-rich blood to the lower part of the body. If a weak area of the abdominal aorta expands or bulges, it can burst, causing severe internal bleeding and death. Immediate medical attention is crucial during this time. How serious is an abdominal aortic aneurysm? The small or slower-growing aneurysms
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