On Friday, one of the most influential people in broadcast journalism, Tim Russert, passed away. He died of a heart attack at age 58.
I watched Larry King and he interviewed a few cardiovascular experts asking them about Tim Russert's heart attack. Tim had a stress test in late April. But the test didn't reveal that he had heart disease.
Larry King asked one of the doctors as to how else could Tim have known he was at risk for heart disease. And the doctor said, his waist circumference. The size of your waist is a very valid predictor of your risk of heart disease.
"The Size of Your Waist is a Very Valid Predictor of Your Risk of Heart Disease."
I have repeatedly talked about the danger of excess belly fat and its link cancer, heart disease and many other diseases.
Although getting your lean and sexy abs makes you look great on the beach, the reality is that a flat stomach can help save your life!
Here is a quick calculation you can do to see if you are at higher risk for heart disease. This came from one of the doctors on Larry King.
Take your height in inches. Measure your waist at the level of your belly button using a tape measure. If your waist size is more than half of your height, then you may be at risk for heart disease.
Try the calculation and see what you come up with. If your waist is too big, you probably know what you need to do.
Showing posts with label heart disease. Show all posts
Showing posts with label heart disease. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Monday, June 11, 2007
National Men's Health Week June 11-17, 2007
June 11-17 is the International Men's Health Week 2007.
Men could add years or even decades of life by simply adopting healthy lifestyle changes, staying active, exercising regularly, eating healthy and not smoking.
Men faces somewhat different life-threatening conditions from women. Some risk factors are within men's capacity to control.
The following list is the top 10 deadly health threats leading to men's death.
Click here to learn more about the health threats and how to prevent them.
Counting Down...
No. 10: Alzheimer’s Disease
No. 9: Kidney Disease
No. 8: Suicide
No. 7: Pneumonia and Flu
No. 6: Diabetes
No. 5: COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)
No. 4: Stroke
No. 3: Accidents
No. 2: Cancer
No. 1: Heart Diseases
Men could add years or even decades of life by simply adopting healthy lifestyle changes, staying active, exercising regularly, eating healthy and not smoking.
Men faces somewhat different life-threatening conditions from women. Some risk factors are within men's capacity to control.
The following list is the top 10 deadly health threats leading to men's death.
Click here to learn more about the health threats and how to prevent them.
Counting Down...
No. 10: Alzheimer’s Disease
No. 9: Kidney Disease
No. 8: Suicide
No. 7: Pneumonia and Flu
No. 6: Diabetes
No. 5: COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)
No. 4: Stroke
No. 3: Accidents
No. 2: Cancer
No. 1: Heart Diseases
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Exercise Is Good for Your Brain and Your Heart
More New Evidences about the Benefits of Exercise
The March 26, 2007 issue of Newsweek magazine covers a special Health for Life report.
Now scientists have more evidence to show that exercise helps build muscles, prevent heart disease, boost brainpower - and perhaps delay the development of Alzheimer's disease and other cognitive disorders. Researchers also have found more evidence as to how physical activities affect brain functions and moods. These are more evidences to support that running is good for your brain.
Exercise for Your Body, Exercise for Your Brain
Exercise can make people smarter. A strong, active body is crucial for building a strong, active mind. Exercise is long believed to have mental health benefits. The mental effects of exericse is far more complex than orignially thought. When you work out with your muscles, your body releases a protein called IGF-1 that triggers production of several chemicals, including one called brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). This molecule is called "Miracle-Gro for the brain" by Ratey, author of a new book "Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain." BDNF might transform stem cells into full-grown, functional brain neurons that help learning.
Exercise --- The Best Anti-depressant?
Exercise is a pretty good antidepressant - biologically equivalent to medications. They both appear to spur nerve growth in the hippocampus region in the temporal lobe of the brain that is involved in regulating mood and storing memories. Through this mechanism, exercise probably relieves and likely prevents depression.
Vigorous High-Intensity Exercise Is Even Better
A recent study by Brian Duscha and his coworkers in Exercise Physiology at the Duke University School of Medicine showed that moderate exercise is fine, but a more vigorous workout added benefits. "Almost all cardiovascular rish factors respond significantly better to vigorous exercise than moderate exercise," says Brian Duscha. Vigorous exercise also has extra benefits in sense of purpose, ambition and self-confidence to Jessica Kavoulakis, a New York City lawyer and marathon runner.
Another review paper published in The American Journal of Cardiology by David Swain and Barry Franklin showed that vigorous exercise had greater improvements in aerobic capacity and glucose control and greater reductions in blood pressure for controlled total energy expenditure.
High Intensity Interval Training (H.I.I.T.) Cardio Exercise
These studies confirm that High intensity Interval Training (H.I.I.T.) cardio exercise is better than the long, slow, boring aerobic exercise in improving cardiovasular fitness and overall health. H.I.I.T. cardio workout is very taxing to your body. Try to limit full H.I.I.T. cardio session no longer than 30 minutes each time, no more than 3 times a week, preferably on non-strength training days.
Want to lose body fat, sculpt your lean and strong body, and reveal your six pack abs faster? Add a short 10- to 15-minute H.I.I.T. cardio at the end of your strength training session to blast your body. You'll boost your metabolism and keep your body in fat burning mode for good 24 to 48 hours. You also save your cardio time in the gym.
Learn the secrets to perform H.I.I.T. cardio and lose unwanted body fat in no time. >>
Some Cautions Remain ...
Of course, vigorous high intensity workouts are not for everyone. Always see your doctor before starting an exercise program, particularly for adults with risk factors in heart disease, diabetes or high blood pressure. Hiring a qualified personal trainer is a great idea to help you get started and monitor your progress. Too much too soon is a common mistake to cause injuries for deconditioned people or beginners. Start slow and work up exercise intensity gradually to a more vigorous program. Periodization is a fitness and sports training program to keep you on track and make continual progress.
Still not convinced or motivated to jump off your couch and start exercising? Don't forget. Regular exercises and physical activites have many health benefits.
Health Benefits of Exercise and Physical Activity:
The March 26, 2007 issue of Newsweek magazine covers a special Health for Life report.
Now scientists have more evidence to show that exercise helps build muscles, prevent heart disease, boost brainpower - and perhaps delay the development of Alzheimer's disease and other cognitive disorders. Researchers also have found more evidence as to how physical activities affect brain functions and moods. These are more evidences to support that running is good for your brain.
Exercise for Your Body, Exercise for Your Brain
Exercise can make people smarter. A strong, active body is crucial for building a strong, active mind. Exercise is long believed to have mental health benefits. The mental effects of exericse is far more complex than orignially thought. When you work out with your muscles, your body releases a protein called IGF-1 that triggers production of several chemicals, including one called brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). This molecule is called "Miracle-Gro for the brain" by Ratey, author of a new book "Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain." BDNF might transform stem cells into full-grown, functional brain neurons that help learning.
Exercise --- The Best Anti-depressant?
Exercise is a pretty good antidepressant - biologically equivalent to medications. They both appear to spur nerve growth in the hippocampus region in the temporal lobe of the brain that is involved in regulating mood and storing memories. Through this mechanism, exercise probably relieves and likely prevents depression.
Vigorous High-Intensity Exercise Is Even Better
A recent study by Brian Duscha and his coworkers in Exercise Physiology at the Duke University School of Medicine showed that moderate exercise is fine, but a more vigorous workout added benefits. "Almost all cardiovascular rish factors respond significantly better to vigorous exercise than moderate exercise," says Brian Duscha. Vigorous exercise also has extra benefits in sense of purpose, ambition and self-confidence to Jessica Kavoulakis, a New York City lawyer and marathon runner.
Another review paper published in The American Journal of Cardiology by David Swain and Barry Franklin showed that vigorous exercise had greater improvements in aerobic capacity and glucose control and greater reductions in blood pressure for controlled total energy expenditure.
High Intensity Interval Training (H.I.I.T.) Cardio Exercise
These studies confirm that High intensity Interval Training (H.I.I.T.) cardio exercise is better than the long, slow, boring aerobic exercise in improving cardiovasular fitness and overall health. H.I.I.T. cardio workout is very taxing to your body. Try to limit full H.I.I.T. cardio session no longer than 30 minutes each time, no more than 3 times a week, preferably on non-strength training days.
Want to lose body fat, sculpt your lean and strong body, and reveal your six pack abs faster? Add a short 10- to 15-minute H.I.I.T. cardio at the end of your strength training session to blast your body. You'll boost your metabolism and keep your body in fat burning mode for good 24 to 48 hours. You also save your cardio time in the gym.
Learn the secrets to perform H.I.I.T. cardio and lose unwanted body fat in no time. >>
Some Cautions Remain ...
Of course, vigorous high intensity workouts are not for everyone. Always see your doctor before starting an exercise program, particularly for adults with risk factors in heart disease, diabetes or high blood pressure. Hiring a qualified personal trainer is a great idea to help you get started and monitor your progress. Too much too soon is a common mistake to cause injuries for deconditioned people or beginners. Start slow and work up exercise intensity gradually to a more vigorous program. Periodization is a fitness and sports training program to keep you on track and make continual progress.
Still not convinced or motivated to jump off your couch and start exercising? Don't forget. Regular exercises and physical activites have many health benefits.
Health Benefits of Exercise and Physical Activity:
- Reduce the risk of premature death
- Reduce the risk of developing and/or dying from heart disease
- Reduce high blood pressure or the risk of developing high blood pressure
- Reduce high cholesterol or the risk of developing high cholesterol
- Reduce the risk of developing colon cancer and breast cancer
- Reduce the risk of developing diabetes
- Reduce or maintain body weight or body fat
- Build and maintain healthy muscles, bones, and joints
- Reduce depression and anxiety
- Improve psychological well-being
- Enhanced work, recreation, and sport performance
>>> Sign up FREE monthly e-Newsletter to receive insider training tips, workout routines and check out your FREE bonus e-books to help you build muscles, lose fat and uncover your six pack abs.
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
Go Red for Women's Heart Health
We all know that doing cardiovascular exercise helps us lose weight and improve health. Even you're in great shape, you still need to continue to do cardiovasulcar exercise to keep your heart in healthy function and for long-term health benefits.
Heart disease is not just for men. Due to different heart attack symptoms and misreading, women's heart disease has been neglected for a long time. Now cardiovascular disease is number 1 killer for women over age 25! In fact, the month of February has been proclaimed as American Heart Month since 1963. American Heart Association has Go Red for Women's Heart Health campaign to raise the awareness of heart disease for women.
Read more about health, self-care and work-life balance for women:
Intensive Care for the Nurturer's Soul: Go Red for Women's Heart Health
Learn how to perform cardiovascular exercises and strength training for your strong heart:
Do the Right Kind of Cardio Exercise for Your Heart
Strength and Cardio Circuit Training to Keep Your Heart Pumping
Super Strength Circuit Training to Strengthen Your Heart Muscle
Heart disease is not just for men. Due to different heart attack symptoms and misreading, women's heart disease has been neglected for a long time. Now cardiovascular disease is number 1 killer for women over age 25! In fact, the month of February has been proclaimed as American Heart Month since 1963. American Heart Association has Go Red for Women's Heart Health campaign to raise the awareness of heart disease for women.
Read more about health, self-care and work-life balance for women:
Intensive Care for the Nurturer's Soul: Go Red for Women's Heart Health
Learn how to perform cardiovascular exercises and strength training for your strong heart:
Do the Right Kind of Cardio Exercise for Your Heart
Strength and Cardio Circuit Training to Keep Your Heart Pumping
Super Strength Circuit Training to Strengthen Your Heart Muscle
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
Trans Fat Ban in New York City's Restaurants
The New York City Board of Health made one of the nation's first and most healthy moves to ban and phase out artificial trans fat from the city's restaurants. Click here to read more.
Artificial trans fat has been shown to increase the risk of heart disease, stroke and death by increasing bad LDL cholesterol and decreasing good HDL cholesterol. The proposal sets a timetable for restaurants to switch to oils, margarines and shortening that have less than 0.5 grams of trans fat per serving. Restaurants will still have until next July 1 to eliminate oils, margarines and shortening from recipes that contain more than a half-gram of trans fat per serving. By July 1, 2008, they would have to remove all menu items that exceed the new limit, including bread, cakes, chips and salad dressings. The requirement for posting caloric content will take effect next July 1, and applies to restaurants that before March 1, 2007, already provided calorie counts on Web sites or in some other public format. Health officials said it would apply to about 10 percent of the city’s restaurants, mainly large chains that have highly standardized menus and portions.
This measure is widely opposed by the restaurant industry. But it would be a model for other cities. Chicago is considering a similar prohibition that would affect restaurants with more than $20 million in annual sales.
Click here to learn more about trans fat and cholesterol.
Artificial trans fat has been shown to increase the risk of heart disease, stroke and death by increasing bad LDL cholesterol and decreasing good HDL cholesterol. The proposal sets a timetable for restaurants to switch to oils, margarines and shortening that have less than 0.5 grams of trans fat per serving. Restaurants will still have until next July 1 to eliminate oils, margarines and shortening from recipes that contain more than a half-gram of trans fat per serving. By July 1, 2008, they would have to remove all menu items that exceed the new limit, including bread, cakes, chips and salad dressings. The requirement for posting caloric content will take effect next July 1, and applies to restaurants that before March 1, 2007, already provided calorie counts on Web sites or in some other public format. Health officials said it would apply to about 10 percent of the city’s restaurants, mainly large chains that have highly standardized menus and portions.
This measure is widely opposed by the restaurant industry. But it would be a model for other cities. Chicago is considering a similar prohibition that would affect restaurants with more than $20 million in annual sales.
Click here to learn more about trans fat and cholesterol.
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