Posts Tagged high blood pressure
Autoimmunity and Salt: Are You Low Sodium Yet?
Posted by Maureen in Clinical Tests, Wellness on March 11, 2013
Have you adjusted your diet to a low sodium version yet? If not, you have another reason to do it as soon as possible. High salt foods have been shown to raise blood pressure, increase the risk of edema (swelling) and numerous other health problems due to the retention of water caused by excess salt. With the right amount of salt we are able to hold onto just enough water for our bodies to funcgtion properly and electrolytes to move to the body parts where they do the most good. Reducing your salt intake is important for many reasons: a lower sodium intake has been associated with other health benefits, including a reduced risk of dying from a stroke, reversal of heart enlargement, and a reduced risk of kidney stones and osteoporosis.
If the risk of cardiovascular disease and high blood pressure isn’t enough to scare you into skipping those super salty fries and salty snacks like chips, maybe a new study linking high salt intake to autoimmune disorders such as type 1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis would make a difference. The specifics of how they are linked has to do with high levels of salt that produce higher levels of TH17 cells in your body. These cells produce an inflammatory protein: interleukin-17. I have recent experience with an autoimmune disease, hyperthyroidism or Graves Disease. Antibodies are produced that cause the thyroid to become overactive, producing excessive levels of thyroid hormone. Could this be caused by excess salt? It is certainly possible and makes me want to look at my overall sodium intake. Now I’m in a position of needing to take replacment thyroid hormone for the rest of my life because my body is attacking my thyroid. Did my days of fast food and bags of chips and dip for dinner do me in? Maybe and I’m lucky. This is an easy autoimmune disease to treat. arthritis and diabetes are much more difficult and painful.
It’s easy to have your blood pressure tested and to be tested for inflammation or water retention that can lead to health problems including heart disease and hypertension. If you aren’t sure where to begin, check out a great way to reduce sodium in your diet: the DASH diet. It’s not too late to start and you may have time to delay the onset of one of these diseases if you start today without the salt shaker.
Written by www.labtestingnow.com
Do You Know the ABCs of Heart Disease?
Posted by Maureen in Clinical Tests, Wellness on February 1, 2013
Today is the 10th “National Wear Red Day” to promote heart health and awareness of heart disease risks and prevention. Did you put on something red this morning? Are you aware of your own risks or are you planning to think about it “one day” when you have time? Ignoring warning signs and risk factors won’t pay off in the end, so today is a good day to do a few simple things. You don’t have to do it all today, or this week, but each little step gets you closer to a healthier, longer life.
The Million Hearts Initiative, launched by the Department of Health and Human Services has a very quick way to check your risks and help you pick one or two goals that will help you focus on what’s important rather than a huge list of changes. The ABCs of heart health are something you should think about every day to keep you on the right track and focused on your heart. Start with a visit to get your blood pressure and cholesterol checked so you have a starting point and then get going with these easy steps:
A: Appropriate Aspirin Therapy for those who need it
B: Blood Pressure Control
C: Cholesterol Management
S: Smoking Cessation
Think about these when you start the day, when you talk to your health care provider or get your blood pressure and cholesterol checked and at any point that you know you can make a difference. Or pick one and focus on that first to get started. Taking care of your health isn’t rocket science, but it does take some attention to detail: Your Details. Start today! Red shirt or not, you can make a difference in your health right now.
Written by www.labtestingnow.com
Heart Health Needs to Come First!
Posted by Maureen in Clinical Tests, Wellness on October 18, 2012
It’s hard not to notice all the pink around us right now…from scarfs and umbrellas to NFL socks and neon pink shoes. For many people who have been personally touched by cancer and specifically, breast cancer, these signs of support for the search for a cure are deeply meaningful. Unfortunately, for others who haven’t been affected the pink has become overwhelming. Are you aware that 
more women die of heart disease than all types of cancer combined? For those who are at a high risk of breast cancer either through genetics (mothers, aunts and sisters who have had it) or through lifestyle (obesity, smoking, lack of exercise) getting mammograms, self exams and possibly CA-125 tests can be critical.
For the rest of us, after we’ve taken the basic preventive steps and tests, there is all the rest of our lifestyle and genetics to look at. How many of us have had grandparents, parents and siblings with heart disease and are on statins to lower cholesterol? I have it coming at me from both sides of my family. Have you taken the first important step to have your cholesterol and blood pressure checked? Do you try to eat healthy or have you given up because losing weight and taking a walk is just too hard? If it matters to you, go ahead, wear pink. But do it while you’re having a salad or going to the gym or out for a walk. In the long run, this will save many more lives.
Written by www.labtestingnow.com
CDC Offers Up Million Hearts to Heart Health Month
Posted by Maureen in Clinical Tests, Wellness on February 15, 2012
Have you been payting attention? Hopefully you’ve worn red to work and noticed the posters, flyers and promotions for Heart Health month by the American Heart Association. This well publicized program targets those of us, especially women, who need an extra push to pay attention to our own health. Come on, you know you’re more likely to be one of those people than not! The addition of the Center for Disease Control’s (CDC) Million Hearts program adds some simple guidelines that are easy to remember, even if we have a hard time following them.
The CDC recommends following your ABCS:
- Aspirin for people at risk – Ask your doctor is this makes sense for you.
- Blood pressure in check – If this is an issue, make sure you have a home BP cuff.
- Cholesterol management – Standard cholesterol tests and more advanced ones such as the VAP and PLAC tests can let you know how aggressive you need to be.
- Smoking cessation – There are so many ways to kick the habit. You just need to pick the right one for you.
These four major steps help to address cardiovascular disease, the leading of death in the United States. In addition, cardiovascular disease and stroke are the leading cause of disability preventing people from leading full lives and enjoying time with their families.
Women are at a higher risk than many of us are aware of. Women are used to taking care of their families and putting their own health last. What we, as mothers and caretakers, may not realize is that putting our health at risk is a terrible way of taking care of our loved ones. What would they do if we weren’t around to take care of all the little things? Saving yourself is the most important thing you can do to be the best mother, partner, and daughter you can possibly be.
Take these American Heart Association and CDC messages to heart and take control of your health today!
Written by www.labtestingnow.com
Healthier Happy Meals?
Posted by Maureen in Clinical Tests, Wellness on July 29, 2011
Associating fat-laden, high calorie food with toys has been big business for McDonald’s and it’s competitors. This tactic has also slammed for pushing this bad-for-you food on children and encouraging them to beg to go to McDonald’s. I’ve seen it in action with my own children who are dying to get a “free” toy whether they like the food or not. My son doesn’t like french fries, but he says he’ll gag them down if he gets the toy. Not a good sign. Based on all the complaints about the poor nutritional quality of Happy Meals, McDonald’s 
has announced that it will improve the healthiness of the meals. With 20% fewer calories based on a 100 calorie portion of french fries and the addition of apple dippers, without the sugary caramel sauce, this is definitely an improvement: From 520 calories and 26 grams of fat down to 410 calories and 19 grams of fat.
This is a step in the right direction and including apples in the meal may encourage children to eat some fruit, but a Happy Meal is a long way from a healthy meal. Even a peanut butter sandwich on whole wheat bread is more nutritional with 20 fewer calories and twice as much protein. Yes, McDonald’s is quick, and healthier is better, but sandwiches are quick, too. It takes just as long to wait in line, pay and pick up your Happy Meal as it does to pull out a loaf of bread, slap on some peanut butter and hand it to your child with an apple. The big problem is that Americans have gotten used to the high sodium, high fat foods that we get at the drive through so it’s not just about easy, it’s about maintaining bad food habits that we’ve grown to love. These habits have also made us grow…wider! The fat and calories increase not just our weight but our cholesterol and blood pressure. It’s about time we start weaning ourselves off of the Happy Meals and work on making our own happy meals at home.
Written by www.labtestingnow.com
Hypertension Grows Among Young Adults
Posted by Maureen in Clinical Tests, Wellness on May 27, 2011
Is it being out on there own and eating what they want the problem? Maybe it’s not having time for playing sports and running now that they have a job? Whatever the cause, young adults are increasingly turning up with hypertension. 
They think they are healthy so may not even go to the doctor, but this is a dangerous trend. It looks like the problem with childhood obesity is catching up with those children now that they are adults. The study, published in Epidemiology, showed that almost 20% of young adults aged 24-32 had hypertension which is significantly higher than predicted. 50% of them didn’t know they were hypertensive.
People who just got out of college have a lot of life to live to be starting their adulthood off this way. Is the lack of parental supervision the thing that’s making it easy to eat more Big Macs and fries? Or the easy stop to pick up fast food dinners on the way home from the hectic new job? Simple blood tests can pick up warning signs and these people need to start paying attention and taking care of themselves now! If they don’t, we will all be paying for it in the long run - with our tax money.
Written by www.labtestingnow.com
New Drug for Prediabetes: Cure or Delay Tactic?
Posted by Maureen in Clinical Tests, Wellness on March 25, 2011
If you are at high risk for developing Type 2 diabetes, you’ll be interested to know that a drug that is currently used to treat diabetes may prevent the disease. The drug, pioglitazone, reduced the risk of developing diabetes by 72% in patients with prediabetes. Although the best way to prevent Type 2 diabetes is to lose weight and exercise, many Americans continue to struggle with this idea. Looking for a “quick fix” is our standard approach and the medical community is working hard to help out. 
The question is, Do you have to take the daily pill for the rest of your life? Is that really prevention or are you just pre-treating the disease? How much will this cost taxpayers? And it’s not 100% effective!
Millions of Americans already suffer from prediabetes or metabolic syndrome. High blood sugar, obesity, and high cholesterol combine to create the right environment for developing type 2 diabetes. Tests can determine if you already have prediabetes, which with the right diet and exercise can be reversed. It isn’t known yet if this medication could do that or if the effects continue after you stop taking the medication. There are also side effects including weight gain and edema (swelling due to water retention). If you are at risk, it’s time to get on the treadmill and lay off the burgers! Unless you can’t be bothered…best of luck with the “easy” route.
Written by www.labtestingnow.com
How ‘Bout a Diet Coke with That Burger?
Posted by Maureen in Clinical Tests, Wellness on February 11, 2011
So your one concession to being healthy is to have a diet soda? Not so fast! You are doing as much or more harm by ordering the diet drink as you are by ordering the burger and fries in the first place. 
Unfortunately, it looks like water is the only thing that’s safe. The newest study, conducted by Dr. Nehal N. Mehta, director of inflammatory risk cardiology at the University of Pennsylvania and Hannah Gardener, an epidemiologist at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, and presented at the American Stroke Association conference, found that daily diet soda drinkers are at a 61% higher risk of stroke and heart attack.
The specific reason isn’t clear yet. Is it something in the soda itself? Is it that those who drink diet soda are filling those extra calories with unhealthy foods (burgers/pizza/fries)? A prior study has already linked high consumption of diet soda to metabolic syndrome. The study controlled for other risk factors like smoking, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. They also monitored calorie intake but not what those calories consisted of. So, although you may not need to dump your daily diet soda habit yet, if you are already at high risk, it couldn’t hurt. There don’t seem to be many shortcuts to the healthy lifestyle. We thought diet soda might be one, but don’t pat yourself on the back for switching from sugary soda. The jury is still out!
Written by www.labtestingnow.com
Are You Going Red?
Posted by Maureen in Clinical Tests, Wellness on February 3, 2011
Tomorrow, February 4th, is Go Red for Women or National Wear Red day. Will you be doing your part? 
Not just by wearing a red shirt, but knowing the risks of heart disease for women to protect yourself and the women in your life. The focus on overweight and obesity in the media lately is a major factor in heart disease, but many women aren’t aware of the other risk factors that could contribute to the disease and how high their risk really is. Heart disease has become the Number One killer of women in the United States, but most people still think of it as a man’s disease. It is critical to pay attention to factors that you can control, be aware of the ones you can’t that put you at greater risk and get the right tests to monitor your health.
There are quite a few factors that women can control or change to reduce their risk:
- Cholesterol
- Blood Pressure
- Smoking
- Physical Activity
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Stress
- Birth Control
- Alcohol and Illegal Drugs
Your health is in your hands. No, you can’t control everything, such as your genetics and family history, but the actions you take now can make a real difference in your longevity and your quality of life. So, yes, wear a red shirt and help others become more aware of their risks, but take a walk in your red shirt and eat a healthy lunch. Don’t take heart disease sitting down!
Written by www.labtestingnow.com
Heart Health – We’re Not There Yet
Posted by Maureen in Clinical Tests, Wellness on December 17, 2010
It comes as no surprise, based on all the news about obesity in the United States, that we aren’t where we should be on overall heart health. A new report from the American Heart Association says that we’re making progress on mortality, fewer deaths due to better care when someone has a heart attack or stroke, but a large increase in medical care and procedures to treat cardiovascular disease. 
The association reports that “the death rate from heart diseases declined 27.8 percent from 1997 to 2007 (the most recent final data available), and the stroke death rate fell 44.8 percent. However, during the same period, the total number of inpatient cardiovascular operations and procedures increased 27 percent.”
These statistics point out that people are still not taking care of themselves and are depending on modern medicine to save their lives. C’mon folks! Additonal statistics show that 67% of American adults are overweight, approximately 20% smoke tobacco and we’re sharing all that bad behavior with our children. The number of overweight children has risen from 5% to 20% and already 19.5% of high schoolers report consistent tobacco use.
The cost of care for people who refuse to take responsibility for their own health is being borne by all of us. It cost us $286 billion dollars in 2007 for treatment and lost productivity due to cardiovascular disease, more than any other disease. I’m tired of all the money that is necessary for these folks. Take notice and get busy taking care of yourself! The American Heart Association has a “2020 Impact Goal: to improve the cardiovascular health of all Americans by 20 percent while reducing deaths from cardiovascular diseases and stroke by 20 percent.” Get your cholesterol tests, the VAP (Vertical Auto Profile) and PLAC for Lp-PLA2 tests are the most advanced on the market today, and help us all get there, reduce costs and save even more lives.
Written by www.labtestingnow.com
CDC H1N1 Flu Updates:- Press Briefing Transcript: Dr. Thomas Frieden's Remarks at the 2010 Influenza Workshop for Journalists
- HHS News Release: WHO Declares End to 2009 H1N1 Influenza Pandemic
- WHO Statement on H1N1 in post-pandemic period
- UPDATE: 2009 H1N1 Flu International Situation Update
- UPDATE: 2009 H1N1 Flu International Situation Update
- MMWR: Regional Influenza A (H1N1) 2009 Monovalent Vaccination Campaign -- Skokie, Illinois, October 16--December 31, 2009
- UPDATE: 2009 H1N1 Flu International Situation Update