Posts Tagged hypertension
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
Are You Protecting Your Kidneys?
Posted by Maureen in Clinical Tests, Wellness on March 5, 2012
You may be damaging your kidneys without realizing it. Do you drink a lot of soda every day? Even if it’s diet? Do you smoke? These habits are two of the top five that can be putting stress on your kidneys. March 8th is World Kidney Day and March is National Kidney Month, sponsored by the American Kidney Foundation. Your kidney works 24 hours a day filtering toxins out of your body. If your kidney stops working your only alternative is using a dialysis machine and anyone who has ever done this can tell you it is 
not a pleasant way to spend a day.
You can be careful about what you ingest to protect yourself and your kidneys from long term damage starting right now! Get tested with a simple Chemistry Panel to identify Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN), Calcium (Ca), Creatinine (Cr) and Glucose which check for a range of problems that affect the kidneys, including kidney disease. Whether your test results show possible issues with your kidney or not, you should stop doing the following 5 things to prevent future damage:
- Long term use of over-the-counter painkillers, known as NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drugs). 3-5% of new cases of kidney disease every year are blamed on the useruse of NSAIDs.
- Smoking: Smokers are more likely to need dialysis or kidney transplants due to the damage that smoking does to the kidneys.
- Consuming large quantities of salt. I think we’ve all been made aware through the media that too much salt can cause hypertension (or high blood pressure) but this high blood pressure can damage the kidneys over time and is the leading cause of kidney failure.
- Drinking a lot of sodas every day, diet or not. Studies show that consuming two or more sodas every day is linked with a higher risk of developing kidney disease.
- Exposure to the dye used in Angiograms and CT scans. Discuss the risks with your doctor before you undergo a procedure like this.
Is avoiding some of these items worth it in the long run? To live a normal life where I don’t need to be connected to a machine for natural bodily functions: I say yes! You get to make your own choice.
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
Are Your New Year’s Resolutions Achievable?
Posted by Maureen in Clinical Tests, Wellness on January 12, 2012
Although the ideal is that we all live healthy lives year round, the truth is that it’s not easy to do and this is the time of year we think about what we should be doing. Exercising, not smoking, and going on a diet are among the top resolutions people make every year on January 1. Unfortunately, most of us have already quit by now. It’s been over 10 days and many of these attempts only last about 3 days. Being realistic about what you can do is a big part of making your goals achievable. Did you tell yourself no sweets at all? Or no 
smoking starting NOW? Or that you’ll get up at 5 am and exercise every day? Balance is key to maintaining a habit and starting small can help you get there.
Some tips for being realistic and actually reaching your goals include:
- If you’re trying to do something like lose weight or improve your cholesterol, you need a baseline. Know where you are today and lay out a gradual plan for where you want to be. Get your cholesterol and other critical health values tested with a Basic Check Up test. Decide when you’ll go back for another test to see where you are. Make an appointment so that you have a hard deadline and very specific goal. If it’s weight loss get on the scale today and set a goal for where you’ll be in 3 months, 6 months or a year.
- Start small. Recent studies have shown that small changes can have a huge impact on your health. Walk for 20 minutes a day to start. Or cut out one unhealthy food a day. Once you see success and know that you are able to make one change, add another after a month and continue with small lifestyle changes that will reap large rewards down the road.
- Tell others what you are doing. Saying it out loud and reporting success to others is a big motivator. Even if they don’t ask how you’re doing, you’ll know that they’re thinking it.
- Give yourself an advantage by not surrounding yourself with the temptation you are trying to avoid. Keep your fridge clear of things you shouldn’t eat or drink. Throw away your cigarettes so they are hard to get when the craving hits. Look at restaurant menus before you go out and decide ahead of time, when you’re not hungry, what you will order.
- Give yourself a break! You will probably fall off the wagon. You’ll have that cigarette, eat that candy bar or those fries, or sleep in instead of working out. This doesn’t mean it’s time to give up and throw in the towel. It means you’re human. Try again at the next opportunity and give it another go.
- Finally, be realistic. Losing 20 pounds in a month may not be achievable. Thinking that you will be done with cigarettes in a week isn’t either. Do your research and plan realistically what you can do right now and what you can achieve in the long run.
Good Luck! And, it’s not too late even if you think you’ve already given up. Dust yourself off and give your goals in 2012 another chance!
Written by www.labtestingnow.com
Another Reason to Quit Smoking…
Posted by Maureen in Clinical Tests, Wellness on June 30, 2011
If you’re pregnant, you already know that you shouldn’t smoke cigarettes, drink alcohol, or take most drugs, legal or not. The list goes on and trying to keep track of it can be mind boggling. For most of us, the top three items on this list are obvious and people around you in public will glare at you if you break one of these cardinal rules, I’ve seen it happen. Research has found yet another reason that
smoking cigarettes during pregnancy is bad for the baby. It reduces birth weights and when children are around second hand cigarette smoke they tend to develop asthma and more allergies. New research has found that it may also be a major cause of lower HDL or “good cholesterol” in children of smoking moms.
The study, published by the European Heart Journal, showed that children who were 8 years old and whose mothers smoked while they were pregnant had a 0.15 mmol/L lower level of HDL cholesterol. This may not sound like much, but it translates into a 10-15% increased risk for coronary disease. The children were also heavier, had higher triglyceride levels, higher systolic blood pressure levels and higher C-Reactive protein levels. This was independent of whether the mothers continued to smoke after the children were born. If you smoked during pregnancy you should have your child tested for their cholesterol lipid levels and make changes to their diets immediately. The sooner you act to balance out your smoking, the better for your child. And if you’re pregnant now, it is absolutely time to quit. If you can’t quit for yourself, quit for your baby. They don’t deserve a lifetime of coronary disease because you couldn’t stay away from cigarettes!
Written by www.labtestingnow.com
The Newest Obesity Attack: A Plate?
Posted by Maureen in Clinical Tests, Wellness on June 3, 2011
How many times do we need to be told what to eat? How many different ways? If you haven’t figured it out by now, will a pretty 
picture of a plate help you? I doubt it. Many doctors doubt it, but the USDA continues to try. Kudos to them for working on it but maybe we just need to get more aggressive. I’ll say it again, I’m tired of my taxes paying for people who aren’t willing to take care of themselves!
The new plate graphic is snazzy and from the website, each type of food, dairy, grains, fruits, vegetables and proteins, is a link to information about how much and what type of food should be eaten. It is a lot easier to decipher than the most recent pyramid with rays shooting out of it. If you want more information and are willing to eat right and get healthy, the USDA is making it a lot easier.
The issue of course is with individuals and lack of willpower. Obesity is known to lead to many disorders and diseases. Cardiovascular disease, diabetes and hypertension to name just a few. Losing weight may allow you to live longer, stop taking medications for these disease and just feel better overall. So what are you waiting for? Fill your plate properly and stop wasting our tax money. In many cases, these diseases are preventable and it starts with what you put on your plate.
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
Itchy Skin Goes A Lot Deeper
Posted by Maureen in Clinical Tests, Wellness on May 17, 2011
Who would have thought that psoriasis, that pesky, itchy skin disease, could be other than an irritant? If you thought your troubles ended there, you are wrong, very wrong. Apparently, psoriasis is associated with a higher incidence of metabolic syndrome. The more severe 
the psoriasis, the higher the association. And, it’s not limited to metabolic syndrome, a precursor to Diabetes Type 2, but also to obesity and hypertension. Although the reasons aren’t clear, it may be that psoriasis is a systemic disease either having wide-ranging effects on the body or that those with a disposition to develop metabolic syndrome, Diabetes and hypertension have immune issues that also cause psoriasis.
The research, presented at the Society for Investigative Dermatology, was included only in abstracts and not papers that have published yet and more studies are needed. Whatever the cause, 0ne of the results may be that doctors will recommend more metabolic syndrome screenings for their patients who have psoriasis. Psoriasis increased the incidence of metabolic syndrome by 40% and children with psoriasis also had a much higher rate of obesity (approximately 50% versus 30%). If I had psoriasis, I would be running to my doctor’s office for testing and treatment! I wonder if proper treatment of psoriasis would reduce the chances of developing metabolic syndrome or Type 2 Diabetes? At this point, we don’t know, but you may want to jump on it…
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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