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[H223]Heart Disease From Smoking
by Keysha, Key
Ischemic heart disease is a disease characterized by reduced blood supply
to the heart.As you well know the cause of most heart diseases is hardening of the arteries or blocked arteries. Complete occlusion of the blood vessel leads to a heart attack (myocardial infarction) which involves the death of the tissue of heart's muscle(ischemic necrosis). Most of the heart attacks are immediately fatal,unless the patients arrive at the hospital in time,in which case their chances of survival are higher. Statistics show that injections of magnesium sulfate within the first three hours of the attack has proven very efficient increasing survival by over 20%. The main objective of the medical treatment of heart attack survivors is the prevention of a second attack. The following things are recommended after a heart attack:
→Possible angioplasty or cardiac surgery.
→Possibly the regular administration of anti-coagulants to prevent further blood clot complications.
→Possibly the administration of drugs like digoxin, verapamil and amidarone to reduce heart arrhythmias although they many also induce arrhythmias.
→A daily intake of aspirin.
→Lifestyle modifications are important in prevention of a second MI; increased exercise, reduction of stress, and improved dietary considerations are perhaps most important.
Here are some very important advices that you sholud take into consideration for lowering the risk of a heart attack:stop smoking, stop eating foods which are high in fat,get some regular exercise and avoid excessive stress.
Avoidance of smoking and secondhand smoke represent a very important measure in avoiding cardiovascular disease. Studies has shown that smokers who quit lower their risk of stroke by 27% two years after stopping. Their risk reaches the level of non-smokers after about four years.
A healthy diet is the strongest protection against cardiovascular disease. A heart-healthy diet is rich in fruits and vegetables and low in saturated fat, cholesterol, meat, and sugar. It isn't necessary to eat perfect and you don't have to see this as a burden,but you should try to change your diet step by step,giving up the foods rich in fats and lowering your cholesterol level.
Most medical experts agree that a high total cholesterol level is a critical risk factor for cardiovascular disease and that a reduction in overall cholesterol levels is an important measure in preventing and treating atherosclerosis.
Finally,and most important,exercise is an important component in the rehabilitation of heart disease patients. Regular exercise helps prevent obesity and diabetes which are also important risk factors for heart disease.

Using sophisticated methods to measure body fat requires highly trained personnel and expensive equipment. Moreover, these methods are not suitable in most clinical or home situations.

To find out your BMI, you just need a weight scale, a measuring tape and a calculator. Isn't it simple? The formula used to calculate BMI is:

BMI (kg/m2) = (weight in kg)/height in meter x height in meter

It should suit most people, except for those who are very muscular (such as body builders) and pregnant women.

Asians face a high risk of developing high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, high blood lipids, and diabetes even while they have relatively low levels of BMI. These risk factors can in turn lead to disease such as heart attack or stroke if they are not detected and treated early.

After examining the data from some 10 Asian countries, WHO (World Health Organization) recommended the BMI levels for Asians to be redefined according to their risk levels instead of weight categories. The usual BMI defined by WHO is in accordance to weight categories:

- Obese (BMI 30 and above);

- Overweight (25 ? 29.9);

- Healthy range (18.5 ? 24.9);

- Underweight (below 18.5).

Asians with BMI:

- 27.5 and above are at high risk of developing heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, and diabetes;

- 23 to 27.4 are at moderate risk of developing the above disease;

- 18.5 to 22.9 are at low risk of developing the above disease;

- Below 18.5 are at risk of developing nutritional deficiency disease and osteoporosis.

Therefore, high BMI and low BMI are equally undesirable.

For Asians, if their BMI exceeds 23 kg/m2, they should consult their doctors immediately for screening for cardiac risk factors, especially if they are related to someone in their family who has heart disease or diabetes. They should also aim to improve their fitness and lower their health risks.

The following steps may help achieve a healthy weight:

- Set a realistic weight goal.

- Target to lose no more than 0.5 to 1 kg a week.

- Reduce your calorie intake.

- Include regular physical activity as part of your lifestyle.

- Avoid slimming pills, drugs and teas except under medical supervision.

It may be useful if one can consult a doctor, a qualified dietician, or a certified fitness instructor, who can help customize a suitable weight management program.

Article Source : Pg. 11

About Author
Both Keysha & Ng Peng Hock are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Keysha has sinced written about articles on various topics from Writing, Obesity and Medicine. For more information about visit our site
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