The Natural Alternative Flu Home Remedy

When Chase-Manhattan lender David Givens began to feel some of the early symptoms of the flu - fatigue, muscle aches and pains (not from exercise), and a slight fever - he had no reason to expect he'd be, as he put it, "amazingly better within 2 days" because of a flu home remedy.

Fortunately for him, one of his basketball-playing friends, the author of this article, is a Chinese medicine acupuncturist and herbalist. When he called me about his symptoms, I recommended he take a modern Chinese herbal flu home remedy called Honeysuckle & Bupleurum (pronounced Boo-plur-um).

It was also fortunate for David that I edit the work of a well-known Chinese Medicine translator, Philippe Sionneau. Sionneau's book (published in France, but not yet in English), Modern Chinese Herbal Formulas, contains a bevy of home remedy solutions that marry ancient wisdom with modern-day pharmacology (drug actions). According to the research, all 12 of the traditional Chinese herbs in the Honeysuckle & Bupleurum flu home remedy have either antiviral or antibacterial actions.

For most people, the flu is a miserable two-week inconvenience. When you get sick, you miss work, you're less able to fulfill your responsibilities, you feel horrible - fun is out of the question - when you do begin to feel better, there's a backlog of things to catch up on. You may start the catch-up process before you have your energy back, thus ensuring more fatigue, and prolonging your recovery time.

Givens summarizes his experience: "I was leaving for my brother's wedding back East. Within 2 days of starting the flu home remedy, I felt amazingly better. I didn't feel it right away but by the end of the 2nd day, my symptoms were gone - it was a total turnaround. I started taking the herbs on Wednesday, and left Friday. I didn't feel any symptoms at all during the weekend."

The influenza virus can be life threatening - it kills about 36,000 people (mostly over age 65) each year. For employers, it's a major loss of revenue and productivity. The New England Journal of Medicine reported in 1995 that it costs employers $3 to $5 million annually. We don't yet have a study to verify it, but my and other herbalists' observation is that a flu home remedy like Honeysuckle & Bupleurum cuts cold and flu time down to 2 or 3 days. If every American employee used them, we'd save millions!

How do you personally stand to gain from this flu home remedy? David Givens felt better in 2 days, despite having to pack, fly across the country, and socialize away from home. Travel and overdoing it can stress the immune system, plane travel can irritate the sinuses, and David's immune system had already been compromised by the flu. So, the herbs not only turned the tide, but also kept him healthy despite greater than normal stressors.

Givens adds, "There are so many side effects with over the counter remedies - your nose gets dried out and you get sleepy. There's always a drawback you feel right away, whereas, with this flu home remedy, there wasn't one. It's a much cleaner change within body."

If you're not a licensed medical professional, as with many diseases, please don't make your medical decisions solely on the basis of your reading and research - consult your medical doctor, and a licensed and trained herbalist/acupuncturist.

HIV “Cure” Discovered in Malawi

A masters degree student at Malawi’s only College of Medicine which is under the University of Malawi claims her herb completely cures HIV – strangely the defacto minister of HIV affairs in the central African nation seems to agree – is this IT?

Gambia’s President Yahya Jammeh, Mchape and a thousand other traditional doctors have claimed that they can cure HIV but they ended up drawing public wrath, the story of one woman however is likely to be a big topic on the tables of those who say HIV has no cure because her herb can actually make HIV disappear.

Gloria Jeremiah has not advertised her herb, she has tried to engage government to have the drug certified so that Malawians with HIV can get cured but for some reasons nothing has happened since 2009 when the authorities were approached about this herb. The herb was discovered in 2007 and she verified it in 2008.

“Preliminary analysis was done at Chancellor College’s Chemistry department with the consent of the Office of the President and Cabinet, Nutrition, HIV and AIDS .The herb was also given to Malawi Pharmacy, Medicines and Poisons Board for analysis. Preliminary results found three major moieties (parts or functional groups of a molecule) in the powder which need to be further identified,” said Jeremiah in an interview.

Jeremiah said things got tricky when some authorities demanded that she reveal the name of the tree from which she gets the powder so that it can be fully analyzed before it can get certified and patented.

Permanent Secretary on HIV and AIDS in the Office of President and Cabinet Dr Mary Shawa admitted taking the medicine to the Poisons Board and said it is necessary for the tree to be made known to government before it can be certified.

“When such discoveries are made they have to go through several stages; we need to name it as a country, the next stage is to subject it to testing and processes before we can send it to World Health Organization which is the only body that can certify it,” said Shawa.

Shawa said that the drug is actually one of the priorities on her desk and that she actually called Jeremiah to talk about the issue, she however said the deal hit rock bottom when it came to the legal part where Jeremiah insisted on patenting first before the tree could be revealed.

“Once the name of the tree is revealed, we could lose our intellectual rights and it’s why we insist on patenting first before anything like revealing the tree can happen,” said Jeremiah

Jeremiah has since engaged a Malawian and foreign doctor to help her with the patenting process. Away from the legal hustles, the concoction continues to sell in silence. Many people that get “cured” fail to come out for fear of discrimination. News of the herb is spread by word of mouth.

“I have seen a few people who used the herb and their problems and symptoms disappeared, mind you am not saying cured, it disappeared and hid the HIV,” Said Shawa.

Shawa said it’s difficult to say for certain that one is cured of HIV because even a prolonged intake of the ARV’s can hide the virus; she warned those taking the herb to continue taking their ARVs.

Asked if she knew that the delay in making the herb certified means that many people that could have gotten cured are dying, Shawa said she is aware and said it’s why the drug is on her priority list.

“We want the herb, but the owner is uncomfortable with property rights, that’s where we stalemated,” said Shawa.

The herb which is known as “Garani MW 1″ was discovered by a man from  Lilongwe who was shown the herb in a dream in 2007.He was HIV positive and was on ARVs from 2005 up to 2007. He got ‘cured’ after taking the medicine. The man has been tested several times for HIV and is still HIV negative.

The man, after being rebuffed by some authorities, contacted Jeremiah who works at a Health Office in Lilongwe and has pioneered the medicine since. The man chooses to remain out of the limelight but if the herb is patented, he is and will remain the owner.

 Jeremiah challenges any authority to bring an HIV subject for testing and says the herb doesn’t clash with other medication and that the

only side effect associated with the herb is an increase in appetite levels.

“I delayed coming open about the herb because I wanted to have ‘ tangible scientific evidence ‘ and  I was afraid that it could affect my studies but since I am finishing my masters this year, I feel this is the time,” said Jeremiah who is also an alumni of The Malawi Polytechnic, Environmental Health graduate.

The full course of the medicine is three teaspoons of the powder taken over a period of 3 days repeated after two weeks form the same pack.  The herb which is in powder form is supposed to be put in porridge without sugar or salt. The herb is sold at K4000 a pack and this is all it takes to

 make the HIV disappear within or even before 18 months.

For independent proof one retired senior government official speaking on condition of anonymity revealed that he took the concoction three years ago and has been HIV free since.

“Its contingent but it works, I am living proof I quit taking my ARV’s over two years ago. I think if you believe in this medicine, it works…but don’t mention my name, ay?” Said the source.

A Turkish Doctor (Not real nationality) is also in the country to help with the patenting and from the trials she conducted; she expressed hope but said there is a long way to calling it an absolute cure. She gave the medicine to 18 HIV positive people and from the preliminary results released last week 10 tested HIV negative the others are still under observation and treatment.

“There scientific evidence that the viral load is reduced drastically especially during the first three months after taking the herb. A number of patients that took the herb last year have viral loads below 50 copies per Millilitre of blood, this is great because such people are leading a normal life and doing their usual businesses,” she said.

She said to determine if the person is completely free of HIV,, there is need to use the DNA screening method. She also was pessimistic about WHO accepting her results because “so far regarding the ‘HIV end game’ the results are inconclusive,” she said.

“I am mindful however that many lives could be saved right now by this herb with the current scientific data we have.”

It will take months before the herb can be patented, and even years before it can be certified, meanwhile people are out there dying.

The Perfect 35 Minute Workout

Most of the physical fitness trainers, and coaches agree that

doing some sort of resistance training, and cardio training, sets

up a good foundation for all around fitness. What most people

like to do is alternate days. M-W-F do resistance training and on

Tues-thurs-sat do aerobic training or some other variation. Now

this is not a bad thing but it can be very time consuming and for

people who have real busy lives it might be hard to make this

kind of commitment.

I say why not do both in one training session? Now I am not

saying to do both in the same day. I am talking about doing a

workout for about 30-40 minutes that gives you resistance and

cardio for that time frame. Instead of making them separate,

combine them into a more efficient workout.

Another words you perform a resistance exercise, it could be your

own bodyweight, weights, cables, tubing, it doesn't matter.

Immediately after this is completed you perform a cardio

movement. It could be running in place, jumping jacks, squat

thrusts, anything that is aerobic for about (30) seconds, and

then continue on to the next movement. Doing say 6-8 resistance

exercises and in between (30 seconds of aerobics) for let's say

3 sets. Now these 3 sets are without resting you are continually

moving for roughly 35 minutes.

Let me give you an example: Let's use weights. 1}.10 reps of

lunges, then run in place. 2} 10 reps of squats, then run in

place. 3}.10 reps of bicep curls, now run in place. 4} 10 reps

of dips or pushups, now run in place. You can choose any exercise

you want just hit all major bodyparts. Like I said choose 6-8

resistance exercises and 30 seconds of aerobics and do at least

3 sets alternating. This is fat burning exercise.

Believe me when I tell you this is not for the faint of heart.

You will be breathing heavily quickly. The beauty is it saves

time and cuts workout time in half. When I first tried this I

did make it thru the 3 sets but it wasn't easy. If you have to

stop do so. Catch a breadth and then complete it. You will

gradually improve as you keep doing this exercise protocol.

6 Keys To Getting Maximum Results In Minimum Time With Your Home Exercise Equipment

I used to love going to the gym. The sounds, the smells, the grunts, the groans. Nothing seemed more inspiring. Then life got in the way. I got busy. Very busy.

Working with my fitness clients and athletes took up a lot of time, and frankly, I wasn’t too thrilled about taking the time to drive to the gym anymore. I do have a life, you know. Then there was the fight for parking not to mention the fact that I had to wait to use the equipment while someone else finished up his or her workout. I didn’t really like the music they played so loud I had to shout over it so my training partner could hear me, and the sales staff was constantly hounding me for referrals.

But I have to tell you about my new favorite place in the world to workout. My home studio. In fact, I like it so much that I recommend that everyone train at home if a gym membership isn’t up your alley. It’s got everything in it that I want, and everything that I need to successfully train. AND get this it didn’t cost me an arm and a leg.

Training at home has been so successful for me and some of my clients, I’ve set up an online facility that will allow me to personal train anyone in their home. You can give it a look at www.thebodymatrix.com. The greatest part about it is you don’t even need equipment if you don’t have any. Bodyweight workouts are phenomenal for conditioning and weight loss. Obviously, if your goals are more specialized, some equipment may be necessary.

Consider this. How much do you have to spend each year for a health club or gym membership? Now add up all the years you’ve gone to the gym and all the years you will go to the gym for the rest of your life. That’s a big chunk of change! When you think about it, it makes total sense to buy your own equipment and do it at home.

There’s no drive to the gym. No waiting. No annoying sales people. You can listen to the music that you want to (or put a TV in the gym for cardio training). Oh, and the best part is that it’s always open. Want to get in a good workout on Christmas day. You can.

Here’s the tricky part. You can’t just go out and buy whatever equipment seems popular on TV or in magazines. Do that and you’ll be unhappy in less than a month. You need a plan to determine what you need in the way of equipment to successfully achieve your fitness goals.

The following 6 points are MUSTS if you want to save time, money, and maximize your success in a minimum of time.

1. Define your personal fitness goals as specifically as you can. For any fitness-related goal there are a number of methods you can use to be successful, but first you have to know where you’re going. Do you want to get stronger? Do you want to build muscles? Lose weight or reduce your body fat? Increase endurance? Reduce stress? Are you preparing for a sport? All the above? Without knowing that you could end up spending more money than you need to on equipment that you’ll never fully utilize. Not to mention you may fail in your attempts to achieve your goals.

2. How much space are you willing to devote to your home gym? If you’ve only got a 5 x 5 space at home, you’re really going to have to be efficient. Don’t expect to fit large pieces of fitness equipment into such a small space. Be realistic. Maybe it’s time to clear out the room you’re using for storage or that corner of the garage that is just wasted space. Maybe you’ve got some space, but you’ll need to make your gym a little more portable so you can store it away when it’s not in use.

3. Familiarize yourself with your options on types and brands of exercise equipment. Find out what you’ll be comfortable with. Would you invest in a house or car without looking at several options or a test drive? Remember, this is an investment in you. There are all types of equipment from treadmills and cross trainers, to selectorized weight equipment, to barbells and dumbbells. Check out equipment on the Internet or in catalogues. Stop by the exercise equipment retailers and actually see it and even try it out before you even consider buying. Believe me this is time well spent. When the time comes to discuss equipment with the appropriate person, be it a salesperson or a fitness professional, you won’t be completely in the dark when it comes to determining your wants and needs and end up buying something you hate or won’t use.

4. Consult with a fitness professional. Take advantage of a professionals “in the trenches experience” and educational background when it comes to matching your fitness-related goals with selecting the appropriate equipment for you. Again, this saves you time and money by preventing you from wasting money on useless or poorly designed equipment. You may also find that your fitness professional may have relationships with fitness equipment retailers which will allow you to buy your equipment at a discount.

5. Always buy top quality equipment from a reputable retailer. Yes, it costs more money, but as the saying goes, “You get what you pay for”. This is so true when it comes to exercise equipment. Avoid the temptation of trying to save a couple dollars by buying equipment that may not be up to your required standards. Buying top quality equipment will last you a lifetime. If you have any doubt, compare how much you have or could have spent on gym memberships over your lifetime with the cost of your new fitness equipment. I have no doubt that you will always spend less money on your home gym than you ever would by purchasing a lifetime of gym memberships.

6. Utilize local retailers as much as you can. While it may seem logical to save money by purchasing equipment online or via a catalogue, shipping charges on fitness equipment can be outrageous. You end up spending more than if you shopped at your neighborhood retailer. There is also an issue of maintenance. Even the best equipment can experience the occasional breakdown. Try getting a mail-order company to service your equipment. It’s not easy. Your local retailer can usually resolve your problems in no time at all.

There you have it. These recommendations will help you tremendously. Please keep in mind that it’s just not as easy as it seems, but it is worth the extra time especially when you’re making such a serious investment in yourself. That’s why I encourage you to seek the help of a fitness professional.

5 Tips To Save You $1000's On Your Home Gym

It always amazes me when people say "Home Gyms are expensive! I just don't have $1000's of dollars lying about" These people obviously haven't looked very hard because nowadays home gym equipment doesn't have to cost 2, 3 or even $4000 dollars.

Below are 5 great alternatives that won't cost you the earth but can do just a good a job as many of the commercial fitness equipment found in local gyms.

1. Dumbbells

For resistance weight training you can't go past dumbbells for their practicality and versatility. You can perform any number of exercises with dumbbells that even the more expensive weight machines can't do. These days you can get adjustable dumbbells which allow you to use add or remove weight from a single dumbbell with a simple pin, just like with traditional pin loaded weight machines.

This feature means you don't have to buy different weight dumbbells for different exercises and you save on floor space which can be used for cardio equipment like ellipticals or treadmills.

You can easily get a good quality quick change dumbbell set for less than $500. At that price you'd be silly to spend money on larger, muscle specific equipment even if you did have extra cash floating around.

2. Remanufactured

A lot of people these days are buying remanufactured exercise equipment, and for good reason. Remanufacturing involves taking a used machine and completely restoring it with new parts to make it look, feel and function like a new machine. Often the only part of the equipment that is not brand new is the frame.

By buying remanufactured or refurbished fitness equipment you can realistically save 50% off the normal, new retail price.

3. Used

Buying used or second-hand equipment can be a cost effective way of setting up your home gym. The only problem is you don't know how the previous owner treated the machine and if it has any problems. The last thing you want is for the machine to breakdown 6 weeks after buying it and finding out that it's not covered by warranty.

Sometimes the actual machine may seem like a bargain but future unforeseen expenses may make you regret your purchase. If at all possible get to test drive the machine and ask about the warranty.

4. Buy direct from the factory

Some online stores offer factory direct fitness equipment. By doing this you cut out the middle man and save big time. Remember just because it is cheap doesn't mean its poor quality. With so much competition online these days online suppliers are cutting costs to get market share. That means more money in your pocket!!

5. Added bonuses from reputable online suppliers

Some online suppliers will include free shipping with their products. This can greatly reduce the cost of piece of equipment if you add delivery to it.

Also make sure you check out the machines warranty. You can save yourself a lot of heart ache down the road if you make sure you're covered by a decent warranty which included motor, parts and labor.

Look for at least 6 months for parts and labor and 1 year for the motor for remanufactured equipment and 1-2 years parts, labor and motor for new equipment.

Now that you are armed with this information go and have a look around yourself you'll be surprised at what you find!

Smokeless Cigarette--A Healthy Way to Smoking without Smoke

 Smoking is considered to be unequivocally detestable habit and smokers are relegated because they smoke in public places. Research has shown that smoking leads to any of the diseases like lung disease, heart disease or cancer and cause a certain death. If smoking has such an impact, why do people smoke? It is clear that until recently, smokers didn’t find any effective smoking cessation method to quit smoking. The introduction of a smokeless cigarette or an electronic cigarette has changed the life of many smokers.

 

 E-cigs, as they are commonly called, are found to be the best alternative to tobacco cigarettes due to their healthy results. They are the best known cessation devices that have earned a distinction of resembling a real cigarette closely. An e cig gives you a stimulating experience of smoking a real cigarette by its look, and by holding it between your fingers, you inhale it to draw in the vapor that gives the nicotine rush like that you experience by smoking a cigarette.

 

 No wonder, electronic cigarettes are accepted in public places since the vapor they produce is free of tar and noxious chemicals that are found in cigarette smoke. Being smokeless, an e-cig is a device of simple contraption and consists of an atomizer and a cartridge. The atomizer contains a heating element that is heated up using a battery when in use. The cartridge, which contains the e-liquid, can either be refilled or replaced on consumption.

 

 You can buy electronic cigarettes quite easily online. They come in attractive kits with additional batteries and e-juice cartridges, an AC adaptor and a USB charger. Moreover, they are designed in such a way that you can use them at any place at your convenience. Unlike, traditional tobacco cigarettes, they boost your confidence in public with no bad smell, bad breathe and stained teeth. They neither produce any smoke, tar, ash or butts to pollute the environment.

 

 It is true that shifting to e-cigarettes has a lot of advantages, especially on health aspects. It is economical and safe too. There are many brands of e cigs available in the market. You can do a thorough research on the Internet before deciding upon the product. In addition, you can also visit an e-cigarette forum, which has a large number of likeminded fellow smokers to share their experiences and stories. Similarly, you can find tons of useful information, guides and tutorials about e-cigs and their uses. In case some particular information is not available you can post a new thread or simply can also post your enquiry for more information.

 

 No doubt, a smokeless cigarette has proved to be a practical solution for those who want to quit smoking in the most natural way slowly but gradually.

10 ways to control high blood pressure without medication

You don't always need prescription medications to lower your blood pressure. By making these 10 lifestyle changes, you can lower your blood pressure and reduce your risk of heart disease.

 If you've been diagnosed with high blood pressure (a systolic pressure — the top number — of 140 or above or a diastolic pressure — the bottom number — of 90 or above), you might be worried about taking medication to bring your numbers down.

 Lifestyle plays an important role in treating your high blood pressure. If you successfully control your blood pressure with a healthy lifestyle, you may avoid, delay or reduce the need for medication.

 Here are 10 lifestyle changes you can make to lower your blood pressure and keep it down.

1. Lose extra pounds and watch your waistline

 Blood pressure often increases as weight increases. Losing just 10 pounds can help reduce your blood pressure. In general, the more weight you lose, the lower your blood pressure. Losing weight also makes any blood pressure medications you're taking more effective. You and your doctor can determine your target weight and the best way to achieve it.

 Besides shedding pounds, you should also keep an eye on your waistline. Carrying too much weight around your waist can put you at greater risk of high blood pressure. In general:

Men are at risk if their waist measurement is greater than 40 inches (102 centimeters, or cm).

Women are at risk if their waist measurement is greater than 35 inches (88 cm).

Asian men are at risk if their waist measurement is greater than 36 inches (90 cm).

Asian women are at risk if their waist measurement is greater than 32 inches (80 cm).

2. Exercise regularly

 Regular physical activity — at least 30 to 60 minutes most days of the week — can lower your blood pressure by 4 to 9 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). And it doesn't take long to see a difference. If you haven't been active, increasing your exercise level can lower your blood pressure within just a few weeks.

 If you have prehypertension (systolic pressure between 120 and 139 or diastolic pressure between 80 and 89), exercise can help you avoid developing full-blown hypertension. If you already have hypertension, regular physical activity can bring your blood pressure down to safer levels.

 Talk to your doctor about developing an exercise program. Your doctor can help determine whether you need any exercise restrictions. Even moderate activity for 10 minutes at a time, such as walking and light strength training, can help.

 But avoid being a "weekend warrior." Trying to squeeze all your exercise in on the weekends to make up for weekday inactivity isn't a good strategy. Those sudden bursts of activity could actually be risky.

3. Eat a healthy diet

 Eating a diet that is rich in whole grains, fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy products and skimps on saturated fat and cholesterol can lower your blood pressure by up to 14 mm Hg. This eating plan is known as the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet.

 It isn't easy to change your eating habits, but with these tips, you can adopt a healthy diet:

Keep a food diary. Writing down what you eat, even for just a week, can shed surprising light on your true eating habits. Monitor what you eat, how much, when and why.

Consider boosting potassium. Potassium can lessen the effects of sodium on blood pressure. The best source of potassium is food, such as fruits and vegetables, rather than supplements. Talk to your doctor about the potassium level that's best for you.

Be a smart shopper. Make a shopping list before heading to the supermarket to avoid picking up junk food. Read food labels when you shop, and stick to your healthy-eating plan when you're dining out, too.

Cut yourself some slack. Although the DASH diet is a lifelong eating guide, it doesn't mean you have to cut out all of the foods you love. It's OK to treat yourself occasionally to foods you wouldn't find on a DASH diet menu, like a candy bar or mashed potatoes with gravy.

4. Reduce sodium in your diet

 Even a small reduction in the sodium in your diet can reduce blood pressure by 2 to 8 mm Hg. The recommendations for reducing sodium are:

Limit sodium to 2,300 milligrams (mg) a day or less.

A lower sodium level — 1,500 mg a day or less — is appropriate for people 51 years of age or older, and individuals of any age who are African-American or who have high blood pressure, diabetes or chronic kidney disease.

 To decrease sodium in your diet, consider these tips:

Track how much salt is in your diet. Keep a food diary to estimate how much sodium is in what you eat and drink each day.

Read food labels. If possible, choose low-sodium alternatives of the foods and beverages you normally buy.

Eat fewer processed foods. Potato chips, frozen dinners, bacon and processed lunch meats are high in sodium.

Don't add salt. Just 1 level teaspoon of salt has 2,300 mg of sodium. Use herbs or spices, rather than salt, to add more flavor to your foods.

Ease into it. If you don't feel like you can drastically reduce the sodium in your diet suddenly, cut back gradually. Your palate will adjust over time.

5. Limit the amount of alcohol you drink

 Alcohol can be both good and bad for your health. In small amounts, it can potentially lower your blood pressure by 2 to 4 mm Hg. But that protective effect is lost if you drink too much alcohol — generally more than one drink a day for women and more than two a day for men. Also, if you don't normally drink alcohol, you shouldn't start drinking as a way to lower your blood pressure. There's more potential harm than benefit to drinking alcohol.

 If you drink more than moderate amounts of it, alcohol can actually raise blood pressure by several points. It can also reduce the effectiveness of high blood pressure medications.

Track your drinking patterns. Along with your food diary, keep an alcohol diary to track your true drinking patterns. One drink equals 12 ounces (355 milliliters, or mL) of beer, 5 ounces of wine (148 mL) or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof liquor (45 mL). If you're drinking more than the suggested amounts, cut back.

Consider tapering off. If you're a heavy drinker, suddenly eliminating all alcohol can actually trigger severe high blood pressure for several days. So when you stop drinking, do it with the supervision of your doctor or taper off slowly, over one to two weeks.

Don't binge. Binge drinking — having four or more drinks in a row — can cause large and sudden increases in blood pressure, in addition to other health problems.

6. Avoid tobacco products and secondhand smoke

 On top of all the other dangers of smoking, the nicotine in tobacco products can raise your blood pressure by 10 mm Hg or more for up to an hour after you smoke. Smoking throughout the day means your blood pressure may remain constantly high.

 You should also avoid secondhand smoke. Inhaling smoke from others also puts you at risk of health problems, including high blood pressure and heart disease.

7. Cut back on caffeine

 The role caffeine plays in blood pressure is still debatable. Drinking caffeinated beverages can temporarily cause a spike in your blood pressure, but it's unclear whether the effect is temporary or long lasting.

 To see if caffeine raises your blood pressure, check your pressure within 30 minutes of drinking a cup of coffee or another caffeinated beverage you regularly drink. If your blood pressure increases by five to 10 points, you may be sensitive to the blood pressure raising effects of caffeine.

 Regardless of your sensitivity to caffeine's effects, doctors recommend you drink no more than 200 milligrams a day — about the amount in two cups of coffee.

8. Reduce your stress

 Stress or anxiety can temporarily increase blood pressure. Take some time to think about what causes you to feel stressed, such as work, family, finances or illness. Once you know what's causing your stress, consider how you can eliminate or reduce stress.

 If you can't eliminate all of your stressors, you can at least cope with them in a healthier way. Take breaks for deep-breathing exercises. Get a massage or take up yoga or meditation. If self-help doesn't work, seek out a professional for counseling.

9. Monitor your blood pressure at home and make regular doctor's appointments

 If you have high blood pressure, you may need to monitor your blood pressure at home. Learning to self-monitor your blood pressure with an upper arm monitor can help motivate you. Talk to your doctor about home monitoring before getting started.

 Regular visits to your doctor are also likely to become a part of your normal routine. These visits will help keep tabs on your blood pressure.

Have a primary care doctor. People who don't have a primary care doctor find it harder to control their blood pressure. If you can, visit the same health care facility or professional for all of your health care needs.

Visit your doctor regularly. If your blood pressure isn't well controlled, or if you have other medical problems, you might need to visit your doctor every month to review your treatment and make adjustments. If your blood pressure is under control, you might need to visit your doctor only every six to 12 months, depending on other conditions you might have.

10. Get support from family and friends

 Supportive family and friends can help improve your health. They may encourage you to take care of yourself, drive you to the doctor's office or embark on an exercise program with you to keep your blood pressure low. Talk to your family and friends about the dangers of high blood pressure.

More about Pregnancy and Heartburn

Heartburn is a common complaint during pregnancy. Although it has nothing to do with the heart, heartburn involves a burning sensation in the center of the chest.

What causes heartburn during pregnancy?

Heartburn occurs when the valve between the stomach and the food pipe (esophagus) are unable to prevent the stomach acids from passing back into the esophagus. Pregnancy can increase the frequency of heartburn because the hormone progesterone causes the valve to relax. This allows the stomach acid to pass into the esophagus and irritate the lining.

Heartburn and indigestion are more common during the third trimester because the growing uterus puts pressure on the intestines and the stomach. The pressure on the stomach may also push contents back up into the esophagus.

What can you do to treat heartburn during pregnancy?

Preventing heartburn is the best way to deal with it! Here are some helpful hints to avoid heartburn:

 Eat five to six smaller meals throughout the day rather than three large meals

Wait an hour after eating to lie down

Avoid spicy, greasy and fatty foods

If you are experiencing heartburn, there are a few natural things you can do to relieve the symptoms:

 Eat yogurt or drink a glass of milk

 Try a tablespoon of honey in a glass of warm milk

Over-the-counter antacids may prove helpful in relieving you of heartburn problems. Do not take over-the-counter antacids without speaking to your health care provider. Some antacids contain high levels of sodium, which can cause fluid buildup in body tissues. Some may also contain lead.

If your heartburn symptoms are severe, your health care provider may prescribe medication for you.

Are there any treatments?

There is no cure for most tremors. The appropriate treatment depends on accurate diagnosis of the cause.

Some tremors respond to treatment of the underlying condition. For example, in some cases of psychogenic tremor, treating the person’s underlying psychological problem may cause the tremor to disappear.

Symptomatic drug therapy is available for several forms of tremor. Drug treatment for parkinsonian tremor involves levodopa and/or dopamine-like drugs such as pramipexole and ropinirole. Other drugs used to lessen parkinsonian tremor include amantadine hydrochloride and anticholinergic drugs.

Essential tremor may be treated with propranolol or other beta blockers (such as nadolol) and primidone, an anticonvulsant drug.

Cerebellar tremor typically does not respond well to medical treatment.

Dystonic tremor may respond to clonazepam, anticholinergic drugs, and intramuscular injections of botulinum toxin. Botulinum toxin is also prescribed to treat voice and head tremors and several movement disorders.

Clonazepam and primidone may be prescribed for primary orthostatic tremor.

Enhanced physiologic tremor is usually reversible once the cause is corrected. If symptomatic treatment is needed, beta blockers can be used.

Eliminating tremor “triggers” such as caffeine and other stimulants from the diet is often recommended.

Physical therapy may help to reduce tremor and improve coordination and muscle control for some individuals. A physical therapist will evaluate the individual for tremor positioning, muscle control, muscle strength, and functional skills. Teaching the person to brace the affected limb during the tremor or to hold an affected arm close to the body is sometimes useful in gaining motion control. Coordination and balancing exercises may help some people. Some therapists recommend the use of weights, splints, other adaptive equipment, and special plates and utensils for eating.

Surgical intervention such as thalamotomy and deep brain stimulation may ease certain tremors. These surgeries are usually performed only when the tremor is severe and cannot be controlled satisfactorily with drugs.

Deep brain stimulation (DBS), the most common form of surgical treatment of tremor, uses implantable electrodes to send high-frequency electrical signals to the thalamus. A battery-operated device called a neurostimulator is used to deliver electrical stimulation to targeted areas in the brain that control movement. The person uses a hand-held magnet to turn on and turn off a pulse generator that is surgically implanted under the skin. The electrical stimulation temporarily disables the tremor and can be “reversed,” if necessary, by turning off the implanted electrode. Batteries in the generator last about 5 years and can be replaced surgically. DBS is currently used to treat parkinsonian tremor, essential tremor, and dystonia.

Thalamotomy, involving the creation of lesions in the brain region called the thalamus, is quite effective in treating individuals with essential, cerebellar, or parkinsonian tremor. This in-hospital procedure is performed under local anesthesia, with the individual being awake. After the person's head is secured in a metal frame, the surgeon maps the brain to locate the thalamus. A small hole is drilled through the skull and a temperature-controlled electrode is inserted into the thalamus. A low-frequency current is passed through the electrode to activate the tremor and to confirm proper placement. Once the site has been confirmed, the electrode is heated to create a temporary lesion. Testing is done to examine speech, language, coordination, and tremor activation, if any. If no problems occur, the probe is again heated to create a 3-mm permanent lesion. The probe, when cooled to body temperature, is withdrawn and the skull hole is covered. The lesion causes the tremor to permanently disappear without disrupting sensory or motor control.

The most common side effects of tremor surgery include dysarthria (problems with motor control of speech), temporary or permanent cognitive impairment (including visual and learning difficulties), and problems with balance.

What are the different categories of tremor?

Tremor is most commonly classified by its appearance and cause or origin. Some of the better-known forms of tremor, with their symptoms, include the following:

Essential tremor (sometimes called benign essential tremor) is the most common of the forms of abnormal tremor. Although the tremor may be mild and nonprogressive in some people over a long period of time, in others, the tremor is slowly progressive, starting on one side of the body but affecting both sides within a few years. The hands are most often affected but the head, voice, tongue, legs, and trunk may also be involved, typically to a lesser extend than the hands. Tremor of the hands is typically present as an action tremor. Head tremor may be seen as a “yes-yes” or “no-no” motion. Essential tremor may be accompanied by mild gait disturbance. Tremor frequency may decrease as the person ages, but the severity may increase, affecting the person’s ability to perform certain tasks or activities of daily living. Heightened emotion, stress, fever, physical exhaustion, or low blood sugar may trigger tremors and/or increase their severity. Onset is most common after age 40, although symptoms can appear at any age. It may occur in more than one family member. Children of a parent who has essential tremor have a 50 percent chance of inheriting the condition. A variant in the gene LINGO1 has been identified as a risk gene, although not all individuals with essential tremor carry this variant--which also can be present in people without essential tremor. While essential tremor was thought not to be associated with any known pathology over many years, recent studies suggest that there is a mild degeneration of certain parts of the cerebellum in individuals with essential tremor.

Parkinsonian tremor is caused by damage to structures within the brain that control movement. This tremor, which appears characteristically as a resting tremor, can occur as an isolated symptom or be seen in other disorders and is often the first symptom of Parkinson’s disease (more than 25 percent of patients with Parkinson’s disease have an associated action tremor). The tremor, which is classically seen as a “pill-rolling” action of the hands that may also affect the chin, lips, legs, and trunk, can be markedly increased by stress or emotions. Onset of parkinsonian tremor is generally after age 60. Movement starts in one limb or on one side of the body and usually progresses to include the other side.

Dystonic tremor occurs in individuals of all ages who are affected by dystonia, a movement disorder in which sustained involuntary muscle contractions cause twisting and repetitive motions and/or painful and abnormal postures or positions, such as twisting of the neck (torticollis) or writer's cramp. Dystonic tremor may affect any muscle in the body and is seen most often when the patient is in a certain position or moves a certain way. The pattern of dystonic tremor may differ from essential tremor. Dystonic tremors occur irregularly and often can be relieved by complete rest. Touching the affected body part or muscle may reduce tremor severity. The tremor may be the initial sign of dystonia localized to a particular part of the body.

Cerebellar tremor is a slow tremor of the extremities that occurs at the end of a purposeful movement (intention tremor), such as trying to press a button or touching a finger to the tip of one’s nose. Cerebellar tremor is caused by lesions in or damage to the cerebellum resulting from stroke, tumor, or disease such as multiple sclerosis or some inherited degenerative disorder. It can also result from chronic alcoholism or overuse of some medicines. In classic cerebellar tremor, a lesion on one side of the brain produces a tremor in that same side of the body that worsens with directed movement. Cerebellar damage can also produce a “wing-beating” type of tremor called rubral or Holmes’ tremor — a combination of rest, action, and postural tremors. The tremor is often most prominent when the affected person is active or is maintaining a particular posture. Cerebellar tremor may be accompanied by dysarthria (speech problems), nystagmus (rapid involuntary movements of the eyes), gait problems, and postural tremor of the trunk and neck.

Psychogenic tremor (also called functional tremor) can appear as any form of tremor movement. The characteristics of this kind of tremor may vary but generally include sudden onset and remission, increased incidence with stress, change in tremor direction and/or body part affected, and greatly decreased or disappearing tremor activity when the individual is being distracted. Many indviduals with psychogenic tremor have a conversion disorder (defined as a psychological disorder that produces physical symptoms) or another psychiatric disease.

Orthostatic tremor is characterized by rhythmic muscle contractions that occur in the legs and trunk immediately after standing. The person typically perceives orthostatic tremor as unsteadiness rather than actual tremor. Because of its high tremor frequency, often the tremor cannot be seen, but sometimes be heard when putting a stethoscope to the thigh muscles. No other clinical signs or symptoms are present and the unsteadiness ceases when the individual sits, is lifted off the ground, or starts walking.

Physiologic tremor occurs in every normal individual. It is rarely visible to the eye and may be heightened by strong emotion (such as anxiety or fear), physical exhaustion, hypoglycemia, hyperthyroidism, heavy metal poisoning, stimulants, alcohol withdrawal, caffeine, or fever. It can occur in all voluntary muscle groups and can be detected by extending the arms and placing a piece of paper on top of the hands. Enhanced physiologic tremor is a strengthening of physiologic tremor to more visible levels. It is generally not caused by a neurological disease but by reaction to certain drugs, alcohol withdrawal, or medical conditions including an overactive thyroid and hypoglycemia. It is usually reversible once the cause is corrected.

Tremor can result from other conditions as well. Alcoholism, excessive alcohol consumption, or alcohol withdrawal can kill certain nerve cells, resulting in tremor, especially in the hand. (Conversely, small amounts of alcohol may even help to decrease essential tremor, but the mechanism behind this is unknown. Doctors may use small amounts of alcohol to aid in the diagnosis of certain forms of tremor but not as a regular treatment for the condition.) Tremor in peripheral neuropathy may occur when the nerves that supply the body’s muscles are traumatized by injury, disease, abnormality in the central nervous system, or as the result of systemic illnesses. Peripheral neuropathy can affect the whole body or certain areas, such as the hands, and may be progressive. Resulting sensory loss may be seen as a tremor or ataxia (inability to coordinate voluntary muscle movement) of the affected limbs and problems with gait and balance. Clinical characteristics may be similar to those seen in individuals with essential tremor.

What are the characteristics of tremor?

Characteristics may include a rhythmic shaking in the hands, arms, head, legs, or trunk; shaky voice; difficulty writing or drawing; or problems holding and controlling utensils, such as a fork. Some tremors may be triggered by or become exaggerated during times of stress or strong emotion, when the individual is physically exhausted, or during certain postures or movements.

Tremor may occur at any age but is most common in middle-aged and older persons. It may be occasional, temporary, or occur intermittently. Tremor affects men and women equally.

A useful way to understand and describe tremors is to define them according to the following types. Resting tremor occurs when the muscle is relaxed, such as when the hands are lying on the lap or hanging next to the trunk while standing or walking. It may be seen as a shaking of the limb, even when the person is at rest. Often, the tremor affects only the hand or fingers. This type of tremor is often seen in patients with Parkinson’s disease. An action tremor occurs during any type of movement of an affected body part. There are several subclassifications of action tremor. Postural tremor occurs when the person maintains a position against gravity, such as holding the arms outstretched. Kinetic tremor appears during movement of a body part, such as moving the wrists up and down, while intention tremor is present during a purposeful movement toward a target, such as touching a finger to one’s nose during a medical exam. Task-specific tremor appears when performing highly skilled, goal-oriented tasks such as handwriting or speaking. Isometric tremor occurs during a voluntary muscle contraction that is not accompanied by any movement.

What causes tremor?

Tremor is generally caused by problems in parts of the brain that control muscles throughout the body or in particular areas, such as the hands. Neurological disorders or conditions that can produce tremor include multiple sclerosis, stroke, traumatic brain injury, and neurodegenerative diseases that damage or destroy parts of the brainstem or the cerebellum. Other causes include the use of some drugs (such as amphetamines, corticosteroids, and drugs used for certain psychiatric disorders), alcohol abuse or withdrawal, mercury poisoning, overactive thyroid, or liver failure. Some forms of tremor are inherited and run in families, while others have no known cause.

What is tremor?

What is tremor?


Tremor is an unintentional, rhythmic muscle movement involving to-and-fro movements (oscillations) of one or more parts of the body. It is the most common of all involuntary movements and can affect the hands, arms, head, face, voice, trunk, and legs. Most tremors occur in the hands. In some people, tremor is a symptom of a neurological disorder or appears as a side effect of certain drugs. The most common form of tremor, however, occurs in otherwise largely healthy people. Although tremor is not life-threatening, it can be embarrassing to some people and make it harder to perform daily tasks.

Potatoes are healthful!

Not deep fried potatoes.

Not potatoes smothered in butter, margarine, or sour cream.

Low fat yogurt can be used as a topping, plain or with herbs and spices.

But try potatoes that are baked, boiled, fried on a non-stick surface with a minimum of oil or non-stick spray, chopped into soups and stews, and on, and on.

It is extremely unfortunate that deep fried and salted potatoes ("french-fries" or pomme de terre frit" or "pomme frit", and potato chips) are so tasty, and are now the most popular of all fast foods. But severely restrict your intake if you don't want heart disease, stroke, and other

illnesses.

Potatoes are such a complete food that some societies in South America (Andes of Bolivia, Ecuador and Peru, where potatoes were first cultivated) eat little else.

Prepared with little fat or salt, Potatoes are healthful!

** Diet with FACTS, not MYTHS. **

How To Prevent Heart Disease

You should always keep in mind that whatever actions you do today can either help to prevent, delay or minimize the effect of heart disease or worsen it. The key is to control risk factors. Granted that you cannot control every risk factor for heart disease such as family history but you can definitely do something about your behavior. Age and gender also influence your risk of heart disease. 

Major Risk Factors of Heart Disease

Cholesterol Levels

Cholesterol is a type of a lipid, a soft, fatlike substance that serves as a source of fuel. Excessive cholesterol can cause buildup of atherosclerotic plaque. Accumulation of plaque in arteries can block blood flow and lead to a heart attack. LDL cholesterol, the so-called "bad" cholesterol, is transported to sites throughout the body, where it's used to repair cell membranes or to make hormones. LDL cholesterol can accumulate in the walls of your arteries. HDL cholesterol, the so-called "good" cholesterol, transports cholesterol to the liver, where it's altered and removed from the body.

Blood Pressure

Normal blood pressure level is defined as less than 130 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) for systolic blood pressure and less than 85 mm Hg for diastolic blood pressure. The higher the blood pressure, the more likely it is to take a toll on the heart and on the brain. Blood pressure should be checked whether or not your levels are high. For normal, check once every two years. For high-normal, check once a year. If extremely high, you should get immediate care. Then get multiple measurements to know if a high level is sustained over time.

Diabetes

Another risk factor for heart disease is diabetes, a chronic disease of insulin deficiency or resistance. Type 2 diabetes, the most common type, is associated with obesity and may be prevented by maintaining ideal body weight through exercise and balanced nutrition.

Tips For Controlling Risk of Heart Disease

Stop Smoking

The effect of smoking on your lungs can cause almost every other medical condition.

Get Active

Routine physical activity is highly recommended and helpful in controlling obesity. Try to perform 30 minutes of moderate physical activity every day. Fast walking is one of the best way to prevent heart disease. If you can lose even a small amount of weight, five pounds for example, it may have a positive effect on lipid levels and blood pressure preventing heart disease.

Limit Alcohol Consumption

Limit daily alcohol intake to three ounces or fewer to prevent heart disease. People who drink large amounts of alcohol (six to eight ounces a day) tend to have higher blood pressure.

Watch What You Eat

Eat five helpings of fruits and vegetables daily to prevent heart disease.

Maintain adequate dietary potassium, calcium and magnesium intake.

Reduce saturated fats and cholesterol to stay away from heart disease.

Food that's good for a healthy heart

Here's a conundrum: While experts agree that high cholesterol and blood pressure are crucial heart disease risk factors, many people who suffer chest pain or even heart attacks have levels that are perfectly normal. This puzzle has prompted researchers to scour the body for other cardiovascular villains. Several have emerged in recent years, but the one that stands out the most is inflammation.

The latest studies suggest that chronic inflammation of the lining of arteries is an important factor in the development of atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease. What causes this inflammation is not clear, but the good news is that (1) the advice that is given for lowering cholesterol, blood pressure and triglycerides also works fine for fighting inflammation; and (2) you can tackle all 4 culprits with the help of dietary weapons. In fact, you can plan your war against heart disease in your kitchen. Here is how:

1. Think like an artist when you choose fruits and vegetables: Eat those with the brightest colors. They have the most heart protective antioxidant pigments. A diet high in fruits and veggies also provides another important heart benefit, salicylic acid, which is the same anti-inflammatory compound created when aspirin is broken down in the body.

2. Increase food sources of omega-3 fatty acids which target high triglycerides in the blood. Good sources of omega-3s include fish such as sardines, mackerel; nuts and seeds; green leafy vegetables; grains like wheat, bajra; legumes like rajma, cowpea, and black gram.

3. Reduce the amount of meats you eat, especially red meats, and always select lean cuts. Use meat as a seasoning for vegetable dishes rather than the focal point of a meal.

4. Cut down on salt and instead use herbs and spices like ginger, garlic, turmeric and fenugreek liberally in your cooking; the first three are naturally anti-inflammatory and the last has soluble fiber which helps sweep away cholesterol from the arteries.

5. Shift to groundnut, mustard, rice bran and olive oils which contain monosaturated fatty acids that help lower (bad) LDL and maintain levels of (good) HDL cholesterol. Drastically limit margarine, vegetable shortening, butter and all products made with partially hydrogenated oils.

6. Fruits and vegetables, whole grains (wheat, brown rice, oats), beans and pulses, are also great sources of soluble and insoluble fiber, which trap LDLs and usher them out of the body.

Sex reduces heart disease risks

Make sex the vital root of health and happiness in your daily life. It gives you pleasure. It satisfies you. Above all, it keeps you healthy. You can burn up to 200 calories if you engage in energetic sexual activities. This is just the beginning for when we go into details you will know why your sex life is a very important part of you.

Sex reduces heart disease risks

Take the case of women. Till they are 40, heart diseases are rare amongst them. But once they cross the menopause hurdle, the heart walls thicken, arteries stiffen and women become more prone to heart diseases. Here, an active sex life can make matters easier for you. Researchers at the Queen’s University say that making love three or more times a week helps women as well as men stay away from many diseases relating to the heart.

Improved sense of smell

After sex the production of the hormone prolactin surges. This causes stem cells in the brain to develop new neurons in the brain's olfactory bulb, its smell center.

Weight loss, overall fitness

A vigorous sexual encounter equals to running 15 minutes on a treadmill or playing a spirited game of squash. Sex boosts the production of testosterone which leads to stronger bones and muscles.

Couple Bonding

In marriage the role of sex is only five percent. But it is the important first five percent. A happy sexual life brings couple closer in marriage. It brings sexual satisfaction and emotional happiness and in turn boosts your health.

Sex as a Pain Reliever

During sex the hormone oxytocin is secreted in your body which in turn causes the release of endorphins. Because of these natural opiates sex acts as a powerful analgesic, elevating the pain threshold and helping to relieve the aches of conditions like arthritis, whiplash and headaches.

Sex reduces Stress / improves Sleep and Relaxation

Frequent sex relaxes you. Researchers indicate that couples sleep more deeply and peacefully after satiating sex. At this hour you may be able to let go of distracting thoughts.

Heart Attack: Are You At Risk?

If you’re male and you lead an inactive lifestyle you probably have at least 3 risk factors associated with heart disease. 

I know, I know, you feel fine but so do most people before they have a heart attack. Unfortunately, most people find out they have heart disease the day they are admitted in to hospital, and they are the lucky ones!

Ladies, don’t think this is just something for men to worry about (as it has been in the past). Women, as well as men, are more likely to die of heart disease than of any type of cancer.

This is because of our modern lifestyle. We are working longer hours, so we eat fast food, and there’s no time for exercise. To make matters worse, machines are taking the ‘work’ out of work. We are less active and it’s killing us!

So what are the risk factors for heart disease?

Firstly, there are two types of risk factors: those that can be changed, and those that can’t be changed. It’s important to know that you only need to have 3 of these to be at risk. Each extra risk factor that you have increases your chance of having a heart attack substantially.

Risk factors that can’t be changed:

Heredity: You are at greater risk if your parents, grandparents, brothers, or sisters, have heart disease.

Gender: Men are at greater risk than women, though the risk for women increases after menopause.

Age: As you increase in age, so do your chances of having a heart attack. Once you reach 40 you should have regular check-ups.

Risk factors that can be changed:

Smoking: A smoker is twice as likely than a non-smoker to have a heart attack. It not only places extra strain on the heart and lungs but also makes blood cholesterol stickier, making it easier to block arteries.

High Blood Cholesterol: Cholesterol is produced naturally by the body and is essential to our health. The problem comes when we consume too much in our diet.

High Blood Pressure: Just like with high cholesterol there are no early symptoms. The first most people learn they have this is when it’s at a dangerous level.

Physical Inactivity: If you are inactive, you are more likely to have a heart attack. Even a 10 minute walk each day can make all the difference.

Obesity: If you are obese, you are placing your heart under a great deal of strain even at rest.

I might be at risk, what should I do?

If you think you could be at risk, the first thing you should do is visit your doctor. Secondly, you need to modify your lifestyle. Exercise for at least 10 minutes per day (30 minutes is better but anything is better than nothing!). You also need to eat foods that are low in fat. If you smoke you need to give up.

Even if you don’t have many risk factors it’s a good idea to visit your doctor each year. Some risk factors can change within a short period of time and getting on to them early can make all the difference.

The Best Ways To Prevent Heart Disease

You should always keep in mind that whatever actions you do today can either help to prevent, delay or minimize the effect of heart disease or worsen it. The key is to control risk factors. Granted that you cannot control every risk factor for heart disease such as family history but you can definitely do something about your behavior. Age and gender also influence your risk of heart disease.

Major Risk Factors of Heart Disease

Cholesterol Levels

Cholesterol is a type of a lipid, a soft, fatlike substance that serves as a source of fuel. Excessive cholesterol can cause buildup of atherosclerotic plaque. Accumulation of plaque in arteries can block blood flow and lead to a heart attack. LDL cholesterol, the so-called "bad" cholesterol, is transported to sites throughout the body, where it's used to repair cell membranes or to make hormones. LDL cholesterol can accumulate in the walls of your arteries. HDL cholesterol, the so-called "good" cholesterol, transports cholesterol to the liver, where it's altered and removed from the body.

Blood Pressure

Normal blood pressure level is defined as less than 130 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) for systolic blood pressure and less than 85 mm Hg for diastolic blood pressure. The higher the blood pressure, the more likely it is to take a toll on the heart and on the brain. Blood pressure should be checked whether or not your levels are high. For normal, check once every two years. For high-normal, check once a year. If extremely high, you should get immediate care. Then get multiple measurements to know if a high level is sustained over time.

Diabetes

Another risk factor for heart disease is diabetes, a chronic disease of insulin deficiency or resistance. Type 2 diabetes, the most common type, is associated with obesity and may be prevented by maintaining ideal body weight through exercise and balanced nutrition.

Tips For Controlling Risk of Heart Disease

Stop Smoking

The effect of smoking on your lungs can cause almost every other medical condition.

Get Active

Routine physical activity is highly recommended and helpful in controlling obesity. Try to perform 30 minutes of moderate physical activity every day. Fast walking is one of the best way to prevent heart disease. If you can lose even a small amount of weight, five pounds for example, it may have a positive effect on lipid levels and blood pressure preventing heart disease.

Limit Alcohol Consumption

Limit daily alcohol intake to three ounces or fewer to prevent heart disease. People who drink large amounts of alcohol (six to eight ounces a day) tend to have higher blood pressure.

Watch What You Eat

Eat five helpings of fruits and vegetables daily to prevent heart disease.

Maintain adequate dietary potassium, calcium and magnesium intake.

Reduce saturated fats and cholesterol to stay away from heart disease