Author: Apricus Health

Does supplementation with marine-derived omega-3 fatty acids reduce risk of heart attack?

The American Heart Association advocates that Americans eat fish at least twice a week to lower their risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). A diet high in marine-derived omega-3 fatty acids like Mussel oil, which include eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), from fish and seafood sources lowers rates of inflammation and heart disease risk.

Observational studies show that men with CHD who had a previous heart attack significantly reduced their risk of a subsequent heart attack if they consumed more omega-3 fatty acids in their diet. A different trial of men with angina reported increased associations of CHD related deaths when consuming more omega-3 fatty acids.

Aung, Halsey, Kromhout, et al., published an article investigating if supplementation with marine-derived omega-3 fatty acids has any associations with reductions in fatal or non-fatal coronary heart disease in people at high risk of cardiovascular disease in the Journal of American Medical Association Cardiology. The study included a meta-analysis of 10 randomized control trials comparing people in the treatment group versus the placebo group for at least one year in populations with previous CHD, a stroke, or high risk of developing cardiovascular disease.

The previous trials reported conflicting results without being able to substantiate support for or against omega-3 consumption. For example, the Gruppo Italiano per lo Studio della Sopravvivenza nell’Infarto Miocardico (GISSI)-Prevenzione trial involved 11 ,323 recent survivors of a heart attack. Patients who took omega-3 fatty acids experienced a 10% reduction in major cardiovascular events compared to the placebo group. In the Japan EPA Lipid Intervention Study (JELIS) trial involved 18, 645 participants with a total cholesterol of 243.24 mg/dL or higher. Almost 20% had a prior CHD, of those who took omega-3 fatty acids, 19% reported a reduction in CHD events. However, none of the placebo-controlled trials reported any significant decrease in CHD or mortality. Therefore, it is difficult to conclude whether omega-3 fatty acids make a substantial difference in reducing cardiovascular events compared to taking a statin.

In summary, the current meta-analysis involved a total of 77,917 individuals who took marine-derived omega-3 fatty acids for an average of 4.4 years. These individuals showed no significant reductions in fatal or non-fatal CHD or any major vascular events (stroke, heart attack, peripheral arterial disease). The researchers concluded that consumption of omega-3 fatty acids did not cause lower mortality or cancer. Since this was a meta-analysis, a significant amount of data was gathered together instead of analyzed on an individual basis. Thus, researchers concluded that the AHA recommendation to take Omega-3 fatty acids for the prevention of coronary heart disease is not necessary and shows no benefit for the consumer.

Spending a lot of time in the gym grinding and pounding is time-consuming. Sometimes, we get bored and tired with repetitive workout routines we do to attain the best body shape we want. We look for other ways to burn our body fats faster and help build our muscles efficiently.

Sports training is one great way to make our body fitter than ever. While fitness exercises involve lifting weights and other high-endurance exercises, sports training is an alternative and faster way of attaining excellent vital statistics and body physique.Looking For Better Tasting Turkey? Start With All Around Better FarmingIf you’ve ever wondered where to find a better tasting bird, this California family turkey ranch is a good place to start.

While many fitness enthusiasts tend to spend most of their time going to the gym, others prefer to do a more recreational workout. It is why they wanted to dive into sports training where they can extend the fun and commitment of maintaining a healthy body.

There are lots of sports training exercises you can choose to do. Technically, it looks more fun if you have companions along the way, so you’ll see the changes in your body shape as you move forward. You can either ask a family member, friend, or colleague who needs inspiration for working out to maintain great well-being.

Now, if you’re ready to take a fun-filled adventure in sports training and achieve the goal of a fitter and healthier body, let us give you some of the best sports training you can try today. These workouts will ensure to boost your overall fitness goals without compromising a lot of time in the gym.

Mountain Biking and Road Cycling

Biking is one of the most popular and accessible sports training you can do to improve your overall fitness. It helps in burning your fats efficiently. Many fitness enthusiasts, especially the starter ones, would like to try this because it is a perfect aerobic workout for the muscles and legs.

Aside from that, the various bike types allow you to choose what’s safe and best for you. For aerobic workers who wanted a little challenge for biking workouts, you can try road cycling and mountain biking. It involves trail challenges that test your overall endurance and can sweat you a lot.

Racquetball And Squash

You might be wondering why squash and racquetball sports is one of the most active sports training you can try. It is because this type of sport can go with neophytes and pros in fitness. The challenges associated with these sports may either come in easy and challenging, which you can try to test your endurance.

Aside from that, many risk-takers take this sports training as part of their fitness program because it helps tone the muscle accordingly. Both of these sports training targets all the muscles in your chest, glutes, quads, arms, shoulders, and back while you workout focusing your core. If you maintain this sports training, losing weight will be a piece of cake.

Also, sports trainers advise that you take more proteins before taking these routines. Take note that protein helps build the body muscles faster. You can get this by drinking naturally flavored supplements. It is the best way to attain a perfect body aesthetics in a short period.

Swimming

If you are looking for full-body sports where you can burn a high percentage of calories even after a minute of doing it, you can choose swimming. It is the most popular sports training which requires you to use your whole body. Both the lower and upper muscles work in swimming, that’s why it’s considered as the top fitness exercise.

Aside from that, swimming can aid people who want to make their joints flexible. The intensity of workouts in swimming added by the water as your means of stretching your body burns tons of body calories. You can also take part in several swimming competitions if you like to experience the best body outlook for your body, as this requires high training.

Triathlon

Triathlon is probably one of the most popular and innovative sports training you take these days. As you can observe, there are many triathlon tournaments that take place across the globe participated by thousands of runners and fitness enthusiasts who want to test their endurance through this sports training. You can also see inspiring individuals joining the said events who want to achieve the same goal.

For those who may not know, triathlon is a combination of three sports training activities. It ultimately tests your full endurance, including the heart and the mind. The three main activities involved in this sporting exercise are swimming, biking, and running.

Court Sports

Court sports like basketball, tennis, football, and volleyball are some of the most traditional yet popular sporting exercises you can do. It does not only allow you to burn your calories efficiently, but it also helps you get acquainted with other people as you get to play with teamwork. It is the best way to bond with your friends and family members so you can all enjoy while sweating out and burning calories.

Moreover, court sports allows you to work all your body parts as they require an overall cardiovascular activity. It makes your muscles stronger and helps improve your breathing quality. It is why many people of all ages take this sporting event as part of their overall fitness program.

Takeaway

Our overall health and well-being should come as our main priority since our daily productivity relies on the energy we exert. It means that if we do not get a healthy body, we cannot enjoy life to the fullest due to physical restrictions. On the other hand, when we are physically fit, the better the chances we can accomplish everything that needs to get done.

Thus, taking the sports training above accompanied by your gym routine does not only allow you to attain an excellent body shape, but it will also improve your overall well-being.

If you are trying to lose weight, you already know that exercising is important to dropping pounds. But exercise does so much more help you fit into those skinny jeans. There is link between exercise and emotional health. There are proven benefits of exercise in mental health. See how research has shown that mental and emotional health can be improved through exercise

1. Exercise Mental Health Benefits. Last September, a research study published in The Lancet Psychiatry Journal found that exercising in moderation helped persons with “poor mental health,” such as depression. More recently, a study emphasized that the more active people with the bipolar disease were, the better their moods.
2. Exercise Emotional Health Benefits. When you exercise, your brain releases euphoric neurotransmitters called endorphins, which act as the body’s natural mood lifters and painkillers. When exercising, your brain also releases a variety of hormones such as dopamine and endocannabinoids, while reducing the stress hormones adrenaline and cortisol. All of this together reduces the stress hormones and makes handing stressful situations much easier.
3. Physical Benefits. Exercising is one of the best things you can do for your body, and being sedentary is one of the worst. In fact, a recent study found that a sedentary lifestyle is more dangerous for your health than diabetes, smoking, and heart disease.

During exercise, your muscles release hormones when they contract, which can not only help you reduce body fat, but also jump starts additional healthy processes. This includes building muscle, boosting your immune system, and protecting the neurons in your brain.

Here are some of the specific ways that exercise benefits your health:

• Lowers the risk of serious health risks, including stroke, cancer, cardiovascular disease.
• Slows bone density loss as you get older.
• Boosts energy and fights fatigue.
• Promotes better sleep.
• Helps regulate blood sugar and can work as quickly and effectively as medicine in patients with type 2 diabetes.
• Improves joint pain.

How Much Exercise Do I Need?

Several studies on a variety of health topics all come back to the same conclusion: the optimal amount of physical activity is 45 minutes of moderate exercise, four or five days a week. Moderate exercise helps grow the quantity of mitochondria – i.e., the powerhouse of a cell that creates the needed energy for the cell to properly function – which in turn increases the volume of blood in your veins and arteries, boosting your overall health.

Moderate intensity activities mean they are enough to increase your heart and breathing rates, but they are not so intense that you can’t carry on a conversation. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), moderate intensity reaches the heart rate zone of 50 to 70 percent of your maximum heart rate, which varies by age.

Types of moderate exercise include brisk walking, bicycling under 10 mph in a relatively flat area, slow jogging, ballroom or line dancing, elliptical training, tennis, swimming, or even some types of house or yardwork.

Keep in mind that you don’t have to do 45 minutes of exercise all at once. You can break up your exercise sessions into several sessions of at least 10 minutes and still reap the mental, emotional, and physical rewards of exercise.

Not Getting Enough Sleep? Here are Five Ways to Improve the Quality of Your Sleep 

If you are struggling to get enough sleep each night, you’re not alone. In fact, it is estimated that 45% of Americans have sleep issues that affect their day-to-day lives. If you’ve ever gone a few nights without sleeping much, then you are likely familiar with the feeling of sleep deprivation and how that can affect your quality of life.

If a lack of sleep is getting in the way of your quality of life, keep reading to learn the top five ways to boost the quality of your sleep.

#1 Get to Bed Earlier: Believe it or not, getting to bed earlier can actually help improve the quality of your sleep. Why? Well, this all has to do with your hormone levels. If you go to bed past 10 PM, you run the risk of experiencing an evening cortisol release which can keep you tossing and turning all night. It is also best to get to bed earlier before you feel overtired and have a hard time falling asleep.

#2 Create a Nighttime Routine: Night time routines aren’t just for little ones, they can really help improve the overall quality of your sleep and help you get to sleep earlier as well. Create a calming evening routine that involves shutting off all electronics at least two hours before bedtime and wind down with a calming 5-minute meditation, or a relaxing essential oil bath. Stick to your routine at the same time each night. There are also other methods that you can use to make sleeping a soundful one. You can check out the best natural sleep aid that many have been recommending. It not only calms you down but helps you achieve the optimal sleeping state.

#3 Use Essential Oils: Essential oils can be a great way to calm the mind before bed. Lavender is especially helpful and can be diffused in your room, or diluted in some coconut oil to be used as a DIY lotion before bed. If you find yourself tossing and turning thinking about all the stressors you have going on in your life, lavender can be especially useful.

#4 Sip on Herbal Tea: Try sipping on a mug of herbal tea before settling down for the evening. This can be a great way to signal that it’s time for bed and can help relax your body and mind before sleep. Herbal teas like chamomile are great and can be sweetened with a small amount of raw honey. Try herbal tea in place of sweet drinks or desserts before bed.

#5 Ditch the Sugar: We all know that sugar is bad for us, but did you know that it can also affect the quality of your sleep? Sugar can make you feel wired and can cause some pretty significant blood sugar imbalances. Try to reduce as much sugar from your diet as possible, and you will definitely want to stay away from it the closer it gets to bedtime

As well as the tips explained in this article, you might want to consider trying an online bedtime calculator, such as the one provided by BioHackers Lab. In a few clicks you’ll be able to calculate just when you should go to sleep, and when exactly to wake up for optimum performance. Sleep issues affect so many Americans and can significantly impair the overall quality of your life. Instead of suffering from sleep disturbances each night, take matters into your own hands to improve the quality of your sleep without the use of sleep medications. You would be surprised at what an evening routine, some dietary changes, and some relaxation can do for your sleep habits.

Whenever people want to improve their health, they’d immediately change their diets and incorporate regular physical exercises into their routine. As long as they’re done regularly, these practices will allow you to reach your fitness goals, but you can still get better and faster results when you prioritize sleep, as well.

Sleep has become a part of everyone’s daily routine, but only a few understand how important sleep is. This is often one of the reasons why adults no longer prioritize sleep and choose to engage in activities until the wee hours of the morning.

Sleep is actually an important ingredient to your wellness because making sure that you get at least eight hours of sleep every night can affect your health in the following ways:

1. Prevents Weight Gain

Maintaining a healthy weight is important because this can affect your mental and physical health. Obesity has been linked to depression and other health problems, namely high blood pressure, stroke, and osteoarthritis.

If you’ve been struggling to maintain a healthy weight, check this website to buy a brand-new mattress so you sleep better every night. Sleep plays an important role in weight management because being sleep deprived will only encourage your body to produce hormones that boost your appetite. Your body’s ability to produce leptin, a hormone that signals your body that your full, will also be adversely affected when you’re not well-rested.

2. Boosts The Immune System

Your immune system functions by protecting your body from germs and bacteria present in the environment. Having a strong immune system can improve your health because you’ll be less susceptible to developing illnesses and diseases.

Getting more sleep every night can help boost your immune system because sleep allows the cells and proteins in your immune system to rest and become stronger. Making sure that all of the components present in your immune system is strong will make it easier for your body to fight off common infections, such as colds and flu, and prevent these from worsening.

3. Strengthens Your Heart

It’ll be challenging for anyone to function properly with a weak or damaged heart. The heart is one of the most important organs in the body because it pumps blood and carries nutrients to all of your body’s organs.

Having a healthy sleeping schedule can translate to having a healthy heart because sleep can prevent the release of stress hormones in the body that can trigger your heart to work harder. Sleeping soundly every night can also lessen your risk of high blood pressure and heart diseases.

4. Sharpens The Brain

Losing sleep every night will prevent your brain from recalling details and holding onto important information. Over time, this can have adverse effects on your productivity and relationships.

If you want to sharpen your brain even as you age, prioritize getting enough sleep every night. Sleep is important to your brain health because it improves how nerve cells communicate with each other, boosting your ability to focus and grasp new information. Being well-rested will also help your brain store important information so you can easily pull them up the moment you need them.

Always Prioritize Sleep

Aside from consuming well-balanced meals and exercising regularly, it’ll be easier for you to live a healthier lifestyle if you prioritize your sleep health. Regardless of how hectic your daily routine is, you should strive to get at least eight hours of sleep every night to prepare your mind and body for the challenges you’ll face the next day.

The Number One Cause of Death

Cardiovascular disease is the number one leading cause of deaths in the world. According to American Heart Association, 17.3 million people die due to heart disease. This figure is expected to be more than 23.6 million by the year 2030. We will examine the causes, diagnosis, and treatment of heart attacks and discuss how diet and fitness can be utilized to prevent future attacks.

What is the Difference Between a Heart Attack and Cardiac Arrest?

Often, people confuse a heart attack with cardiac arrest. Although related, the two are different conditions. A heart attack occurs after the coronary artery is blocked and prevents necessary blood and oxygen from reaching parts of the heart. These parts begin to die as a result. Cardiac arrest occurs suddenly and usually without any warning. It is the product of an electrical malfunction which makes the heart stop beating unexpectedly. A heart attack increases the risk of having a cardiac arrest.

Heart Attack Causes?

Coronary Heart Disease

Coronary Heart Disease is the most common cause of heart attacks. CHD occurs when the coronary arteries that are responsible for bringing oxygenated blood to the heart are blocked or clogged. Blocking takes place when cholesterol deposits, also referred to as plaques, build up inside the arteries. The process usually takes place over a couple of years. The plaque eventually ruptures leading to a blood clot which, if it becomes large enough, blocks blood from flowing to the heart. If not treated promptly, portions of the heart begin to die, and scar tissue replaces healthy heart tissue.

Coronary Artery Spasm

Coronary artery spasms are less common causes of heart attacks. A spasm is a severe tightening of the coronary artery. The tightening interrupts blood flow to the heart. It is not yet clear what causes these spasms, but it could be related to substance abuse, emotional stress or exposure to extreme cold.

Hypoxia

Hypoxia is lack of enough oxygen in the blood. It is a less common cause of heart attacks, too. Levels of oxygen in the blood may decrease due to carbon monoxide poisoning or malfunctioning in the lungs. If the heart doesn’t receive enough oxygenated blood, its muscles may get damaged thus triggering a heart attack.

What are the Symptoms of Heart Attack?

Identifying early signs of an impending heart attack is crucial for prompt treatment. Heart attacks usually start slowly, and their symptoms will vary from one individual to another. They may include;

1. Chest Pain – Most heart attack patients experience discomfort in their chest which manifests as pressure, fullness, squeezing or pain. The pain usually lasts a couple of minutes and may disappear and come back. It may spread to the neck, back, shoulders or head and is one of the most common symptoms of heart attack in both genders.
2. Shortness of Breath – You may experience difficulty in breathing, which is a medical condition referred to as dyspnea. It may occur with chest pain or without chest pain.
3. Nausea – a less common symptom of heart attacks. Sometimes it is accompanied by burping or belching. Severe nausea may lead to vomiting. This symptom is more common in women than men.
4. Feeling tired for no reason
5. Lightheadedness or dizziness
6. Sweating
7. Heartburn and indigestion
8. Upper body discomfort

How Are Heart Attacks Diagnosed?

A doctor will inquire about your medical history and that of your family before carrying out any tests. They may also do a physical exam and a host of other tests and procedures which may include:

1. Electrocardiogram (ECG) – The procedure records the heart’s electrical signals. It monitors its rate and rhythm and assists the doctor in detecting any irregularities in the rhythm and structure. ECG is performed when you’re exercising or during rest.
2. Blood Tests – The doctor may use blood tests to measure the extent of the heart damage. When the cells of the heart are injured, they release cardiac enzymes into the bloodstream. Measuring the level of these enzymes will help determine the extent of the damage.
3. Chest x-ray – To take a look at the inner structure of the heart, blood vessels and lungs, a chest x-ray is beneficial. This imaging reveals any anomalies and disorders that could be CHD related.
4. Echocardiography – Defined as the use of sound waves and echo to create images of the heart, Echocardiography reveals details about the shape and size of the heart. Echo can detect heart muscle injury, poor blood flow and unusual contractions.
5. Stress Test – Stress testing uses rigorous exercises or medication to raise your heart rate. The doctor then performs tests to check how your heart is responding to the demand for more blood and oxygen.

How Can You Prevent Future Heart Attacks?

A healthy lifestyle means a healthy life. Living a healthy lifestyle will not only help in preventing a heart attack but also accelerate the recovery process. Studies have revealed that eating healthy foods and exercising lowers the risk of getting a heart attack significantly. Eating anti-inflammatory foods and healthy fats reduces inflammation thus decreasing the risk of CHD. Such foods include:

1. Fruits
2. Vegetables
3. Legumes and beans
4. Herbs and spices like raw garlic and turmeric
5. Red wine
6. Green tea or white tea

Regular exercises also help prevent heart attacks by improving blood flow, providing cells with more oxygen, controlling blood sugar levels and managing hormones. Other home remedies may include stress reduction, quitting smoking, drinking in moderation and maintaining a healthy weight.

What is the Treatment for Heart Attack?

Treatment for a heart attack should commence as soon as possible. How quick the response is could mean life or death. That’s the reason why treatment should begin even before getting to the hospital. The most important thing is to restore the flow of blood, and it can be done using aspirin, Nitroglycerin and oxygen therapy. After the diagnosis is confirmed, the doctor may commence the following treatments:

1. Medication – this may include pain relievers, thrombolytics, antiplatelet agents, beta-blockers, and ACE inhibitors.
2. Coronary angioplasty and stenting – a long tube is inserted into the artery to unblock and restore blood flow.
3. Coronary artery bypass surgery – it involves creating a new route for the blood by sewing vessels to bypass the blocked section.

Final Thoughts

You don’t have to wait for a heart attack to react. You can take preventive measures by eating healthy and exercising regularly. If you detect the symptoms outlined above or you suspect that you are going through a heart attack, you should seek medical treatment almost immediately. Every minute counts. The longer you wait, the greater the extent of the damage.

You can learn how heart attack in women is different in our blog.

Heart Failure is a growing problem worldwide and a leading cause of admissions in the hospital. Heart failure may not be a curable disease but understanding the disease and treatment options can help with better management of the symptoms.

1. What is Heart Failure?

It is the inability of the heart to pump enough blood to meet body needs due to muscle weakness or muscle stiffness. Heart failure is NOT a heart attack.

2. What are the types of heart failure?

Systolic HF (Muscle weakness)

Weak heart muscle is not able to pump enough blood

Diastolic HF (Muscle thickening and stiffness)

Thick heart muscle is not able to pump blood in a normal way

Right-Sided Heart failure was seen in patients with lung disease.

3. What are the signs and symptoms of heart failure?

Shortness of breath or breath difficulty and leg swelling are the most common symptoms. The other symptoms are cough, weight gain, fatigue, not able to lie flat due to breathing difficulty.

4. What are the causes or risk factors for heart failure?

Heart attack, High blood pressure, Obesity, Diabetes, Heart valve damage, Family history of heart disease, Age more than 65 years.

5. Is Heart Failure very common?

Yes. According to the American Heart Failure Society of America, there are currently 6 million Americans with heart failure and number will reach more than 8 million in next decade.

6. What are the tests used for diagnosis of heart failure?

Commonly ordered tests for patients with heart failure include ECG, echocardiogram, chest X-ray, and blood work. An echocardiogram (echo) gives information on strength of the heart muscle and gives Ejection Fraction or EF. EF more than 55% is considered normal in most echo labs. Some patients may need a stress test or cardiac catheterization.

7. What are the treatment options for heart failure?

There have to be significant lifestyle changes including salt restriction, fluid restriction, quitting smoking/alcohol. You may be placed on several medications from different categories: water pill to get rid of extra fluid, Beta-blocker, and Ace inhibitor or ARBs (commonly used medication for blood pressure) to strengthen the heart muscle. Few patients may need ICD or implanted defibrillators or referral to centers for advanced heart failure for surgical options.

8. What are the stages of heart failure?

There are two types of staging system for heart failure.

One is based on the severity of patient symptoms –New York Heart Association Functional Class (NYHA)

NYHA I: No limitation of physical activity

NYHA II: Slight limitation of physical activity

NYHA III: Marked limitation of physical activity due to breathing difficulty.

NYHA IV: Shortness of breath at rest

In 2001 ACC/AHA introduced new staging system based on damage to the heart

Stage A: No structural disease of heart but High Risk for developing CHF but

Stage B: Has structural disease of heart but never had signs and symptoms.

Stage C: Structural heart disease with past or current symptoms of CHF

Stage D: End-stage heart failure requiring specialized treatment

9. What is the prognosis of heart failure?

Heart failure is not a death sentence anymore. Many patients who have heart failure improve or stabilize with medications. The prognosis for heart failure has improved over the last decade due to ongoing medical research and availability of new medications and surgical options like LVAD (Heart pump), a heart transplant.