In Chinese medicine, “heart disease” means quite a bit more than it does in Western medicine. Both medicines recognise what comes to mind when we hear the term “heart disease”: heart attack, cardiovascular disease, coronary artery disease and more. These are the most serious heart problems, due to the deadly outcome of blood circulation blockages. In addition, Chinese medicine recognises other heart conditions that may appear benign in comparison, but still significantly impact quality of life. Furthermore, Chinese medicine has the potential to treat both serious and benign heart conditions. Inadequate Testing While tests such as the electrocardiogram (EKG) or
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Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the western world. Nutrition, exercise and medication are often assumed as the best method for reducing a person’s chance of a heart attack. However, in recent years what the medical community agrees on what constitutes as “heart healthy” food has changed. So too are the benefits of rigorous exercise and cardiovascular medications such as aspirin are now being challenged. Fortunately, there are other viable options for heart disease patients that have stood the test of time. The Next frontier New research in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology suggests, in concert with
Read more →With the demands of modern living, it’s easy to forget about breakfast. A cup of coffee and you’re ready to face the world, right? Not so fast. Skipping breakfast can have an harmful effect on the cardiovascular system, according to research published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. Eating a balanced breakfast is beneficial to the heart. While previous studies have shown avoiding breakfast may lead to childhood obesity. This new paper is the first to draw a parallel between breakfast and atherosclerosis. That’s the technical term for the hardening and narrowing of the arteries due to a
Read more →Modern living is having a negative effect on our cardiac health. The issue of heart health is serious, but for those who are careful about what they eat and get exercise, those matters typically been less of a concern. New Research The MRC Clinical Services Centre at Imperial College London suggests athletic adults may be at risk of a heart disease diagnosis. In a study published in Circulation: Cardiovascular Imaging, researchers found those engaging in physical activity, and put demands on the body, may have a bigger heart. An enlarged heart is non-fatal but can display symptoms similar to a
Read more →It’s easy to dismiss the couple of extra pounds that you put on over vacation. But over the years, that type of weight gain can cause serious damage to your heart. The Research New research published in the Journal of the American Heart Association suggests small weight gains alter the function and structure of the heart. This increases a person’s future risk of heart failure. Firstly, 1,262 adults with-out heart disease or any condition that may lead to heart disease were followed for seven years. Secondly, at the start and end of the study, MRI scans of the heart were
Read more →World renowned cardiologist Dr. Kapadia, of the Cleveland Clinic, is recommending people to take preventative measures to avoid heart attacks. “Don’t wait until you have a heart problem to start taking care of yourself and paying attention to your lifestyle and dietary choices. You should be working hard to avoid developing heart disease in the first place,” he says. New Findings This caution arrives after new findings from a study led by Kapadia, revealing serious heart events are affecting younger and more obese people. Researchers examined risk factors for heart disease in patients treated for STEMI – ST-elevation myocardial infarction (the most
Read more →The number of people diagnosed as clinically obese has hit 2 billion. This has forced researchers to label this a “disturbing global health crisis.” The major issue of obesity is that it leads to several life-threatening conditions, including serious structural damage to the heart. The Extent of Heart Damage According to new research led by Queen Mary University of London, being obese causes major damage to structures in the heart. The study published in PLoS One journal, analysed data showing the damage being overweight or obese has on the heart’s weight and size. Professor Steffen Petersen, lead author at QMUL’s
Read more →A herbal formula consisting of medicinal herbs has shown to be effective to treat coronary artery disease. According to literature published in the Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine journal, researchers in Beijing reviewed the existing literature. The results highlight positive effects of the formula when taken by those suffering from angina. The Research The team analysed 19 randomised, controlled trials (RCTs). All of which involved 1730 patients with angina pectoris. A formula named Gua Lou Xie Bai Ban Xia Tang (GLXBBX) was administered to patients ranging 35 to 90 years of age. The treatment lasted between 2 to 6 weeks. All participants
Read more →A recent study by the National Heart Foundation found 1 in 12 Australians under 30 have high blood pressure. The most surprising part was up to 90 percent of people aren’t doing anything about it. What is high blood pressure? There are two types: Primary hypertension is the most common type of high blood pressure. This has no known cause. Secondary hypertension is less common but it has a known cause. Usually related to Kidney function. High blood pressure is defined as having a resting systolic pressure (top number) above 140mm Hg. This number represents the highest pressure reached when the
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