Mar 2, 2018 | Healthy Tips
THIS BODY SHAPE CAN RAISE WOMEN’S HEART ATTACK RISK
By Steven Reinberg – HealthDay Reporter
Excess belly weight — a so-called apple shape — raises a woman’s risk for heart attack even more than overall obesity, researchers report.
While obesity raises heart attack risk in both sexes, women with bigger waists and waist-to-hip ratios have greater odds of a heart attack than men who have a similar apple-shaped body, a large British study finds.
“Our findings show that looking at how fat tissue is distributed in the body — especially in women — can give us more insight into the risk of heart attack than general measures of obesity, such as body mass index,” said lead researcher Sanne Peters. Body mass index (BMI) is a commonly used measurement based on height and weight.
Having a pear-shaped body — a smaller waist with excess weight mostly around the hips — isn’t thought to raise heart attack risk to the same degree.
Currently, no medical treatment focuses on excess belly fat, said Peters, a research fellow in epidemiology at the University of Oxford’s George Institute for Global Health.
However, “more intensive screening for the risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes among those with an apple shape might help to prevent heart disease, especially in women,” Peters said.
According to the World Health Organization, 40 percent of women worldwide are overweight and 15 percent are obese.
Obesity increases the risk of heart attack, the leading cause of death worldwide, the researchers noted. Obesity also raises your odds for a stroke, high blood pressure, diabetes and some cancers.
For the new study, Peters and colleagues collected data on nearly 500,000 adults in the United Kingdom, aged 40 to 69, and followed them for seven years.
The investigators found that waist-to-hip ratio and waist circumference, respectively, were 15 percent and 7 percent more strongly tied to heart attack risk in women than men.
Also, compared with BMI, waist-to-hip ratio was an 18 percent stronger predictor of heart attack in women and a 6 percent stronger predictor of heart attack in men, the findings showed
However, the biological factors that contribute to the increased risk for heart attack aren’t known, Peters said.
Further research is needed to try to determine the different ways women and men store body fat, and to understand how exactly this is linked to different health risks, she said.
“Knowing exactly how patterns of fat storage influence the risk of obesity-related conditions will yield insights into the biological mechanisms and could inform sex-specific interventions that might halt the obesity epidemic worldwide,” Peters said.
One specialist believes women must act quickly to reverse weight gain around the waist in order to reduce the risk of heart disease.
“We have had similar data in the United States that belly fat is a risk marker for heart disease,” said Dr. Nieca Goldberg, a spokeswoman for the American Heart Association.
Goldberg said she thinks fat accumulation in the gut is linked to inflammation and insulin resistance. Both can lead to heart disease and heart attacks, she noted.
It’s possible that the risk is higher in women than men because women have a higher percentage of body fat, she suggested.
To reduce their risk, women should be conscious of weight gain around the middle, according to Goldberg, who is also director of the NYU Center for Women’s Health in New York City.
Her advice for those who find the pounds piling up around the waist: Cut down on sugar, carbohydrates, and alcohol, which is largely sugar.
“These are the patients I target for decreases in starches and sugars and increases in aerobic exercise to help reverse this process,” she said.
Feb 22, 2018 | Healthy Tips
9 NATURAL REMEDIES FOR HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE
By Cathy Wong, ND
According to the American Heart Association, nearly half of U.S. adults have high blood pressure, also known as hypertension, and many aren’t aware of it. Normal blood pressure is considered to be under 120/80 mm Hg, and high blood pressure is 140/90 or higher. High blood pressure is a risk factor for heart conditions and if it’s uncontrolled, it can damage your body and lead to complications.
If you’re interested in natural solutions for better blood pressure, there’s some evidence that certain remedies may be helpful.
(It’s important to note that supplements shouldn’t be used as a substitute for standard care.) Here’s a look at nine ways to use natural remedies for high blood pressure:
- Garlic
Garlic may help to lower blood pressure, according to recent research. A review of nine previously published trials, for instance, found that systolic blood pressure (the top number in a reading) and diastolic blood pressure (the bottom number in a reading) were reduced more effectively by treatment with an aged garlic extract than a placebo.
Some research suggests that compounds in garlic extract, such as S-allyl cysteine, may improve elasticity in arteries and relax muscle cells in blood vessels, possibly by stimulating the production of hydrogen sulfide and increasing nitric oxide production (a molecule that can help to widen blood vessels and lower blood pressure) in blood vessels.
Garlic extract may cause digestive upset and other side effects, and it can interact with medications, so it’s important to talk with your doctor if you’re considering taking it.
- Fish Oil and Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Oily fish like salmon and sardines are high in eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosapentaenoic acid (DHA), omega-3 fatty acids that play a role in blood pressure. In a report published in the American Journal of Hypertension, for example, researchers analysed 70 previously published trials and found that the consumption of omega-3 fatty acids for four to 26 weeks reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure very slightly.
Although many studies have used high doses of omega-3 fatty acids, a preliminary study published in the Journal of Nutrition in 2016 explored smaller amounts of EPA and DHA (typical of what could be achieved through dietary intake) and found that daily doses showed reductions in systolic blood pressure. Further research is needed.
- Cocoa
Flavanols, a type of antioxidant found in cocoa and dark chocolate, may help with high blood pressure. Some research suggests that cocoa flavanols may increase the formation of nitric oxide in blood vessels, resulting in the dilation of the blood vessels and lower blood pressure.
A report published in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews analyzed previously published clinical trials on chocolate and cocoa products and blood pressure in healthy adults and found that consumption of flavanol-rich cocoa products for two to 18 weeks resulted in a small (2 mm Hg) reduction in blood pressure. The blood-pressure-reducing effect appeared to be greater in those with prehypertension.
- Hibiscus
Hibiscus tea, also known as sour tea, is a tea made from the leaves of the Hibiscus sabdariffa plant. An analysis of five previously published trials found that hibiscus was associated with a significant reduction in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure.
While there have been few reported side effects, hibiscus tea may lower blood sugar levels, and side effects could include digestive upset, excessive or painful urination, headache, ringing in the ears, or shakiness. Hibiscus contains minerals such as iron and copper, so excessive amounts should be avoided.
- Beet Juice
Sipping beet juice may help to lower high blood pressure, according to recent research. Beets contain inorganic nitrates, components that increase nitric oxide.
A review of trials on beetroot juice for high blood pressure found that daily beetroot consumption was associated with a reduction in systolic blood pressure.
- Magnesium
Magnesium, a mineral found in leafy greens, nuts, seeds, fish, whole grains, avocados, bananas, and other foods, may modestly lower blood pressure, particularly in people with magnesium deficiency. In a report published in Hypertension, for instance, researchers analysed previously published clinical trials and found a small association between magnesium intake and lower blood pressure.
Specifically, people taking a median of 368mg of magnesium a day (an amount that can be obtained through diet) for an average of three months had reductions in systolic blood pressure of 2 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure of 1.78 mm Hg.
Ensuring that you’re getting enough magnesium in your diet is your best bet, but if you’re considering taking a supplement, be sure to consult your healthcare provider. High doses in supplement form may trigger diarrhea and other side effects.
- Diet and Low Sodium Intake
Sticking to a balanced diet that’s low in sodium but loaded with antioxidant-rich plant foods can lower your blood pressure. With an emphasis on vegetables, fruits, low-fat dairy, whole grains, lean protein, nuts, and legumes, the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet is low in saturated fat, cholesterol, red meat, and sugar and is considered to be a key dietary approach to keeping your heart healthy.
In a report published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, the DASH diet combined with low-salt intake for 12 weeks significantly lowered systolic blood pressure in people with prehypertension or stage 1 hypertension. Those with higher systolic blood pressure readings (150 or greater) had an average reduction of 21 mm Hg in systolic blood pressure on the low sodium/DASH diet compared to a high-sodium diet.
When selecting fruits and vegetables, choose potassium-rich fruits and vegetables, which help to balance out the effects of salt. Top sources include bananas, beets, sweet potatoes, tomato sauce (without added salt), watermelon, potatoes, beans, orange juice, and spinach. (If you have kidney disease or are taking certain blood pressure medications, avoid large increases in your potassium intake and check with your healthcare provider.)
If you’re overweight, losing weight can help to reduce your blood pressure. A review published in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews found that weight loss diets followed for six months to three years reduced body weight and lowered systolic and diastolic blood pressure by 4.5 mm Hg and 3.2 mm Hg, respectively.
- Tea
Consumption of green tea or black tea for four to 24 weeks was associated with a reduction in blood pressure, according to a study in the British Journal of Nutrition. Although both types of tea had a mild effect on blood pressure, the effect of green tea was slightly greater (possibly due to the higher antioxidant content).
- Mind-Body
Mind-body therapies such as yoga and meditation may help to reduce your stress and lower blood pressure. In a study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, for instance, researchers analyzed studies on meditation and yoga and found that both practices appeared to reduce blood pressure.
Another study found that qi gong lowered blood pressure in adults with hypertension, but found no differences between meditation and other mind-body practices on systolic blood pressure.
Most mind-body therapies involve breathing deeply, inhaling, and allowing the belly to expand and fill with air, and then exhaling and releasing the air.
A Word From Very well
When it comes to controlling your blood pressure, some remedies have been found to have a very small (but still clinically significant) effect on blood pressure. They are likely not enough to bring high blood pressure down to a normal reading on its own. They are best used as part of a comprehensive approach that combines exercise, a balanced diet, lifestyle modifications, and any treatments that your doctor recommends for you.
There are many ways you can change up your routine to better manage your blood pressure. If you’re considering making changes to your regimen or taking a supplement, be sure to speak with your doctor first to be sure it’s the right approach for you.
Sources:
Juraschek SP, Miller ER 3rd, Weaver CM, Appel LJ. Effects of Sodium Reduction and the DASH Diet in Relation to Baseline Blood Pressure. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2017 Dec 12;70(23):2841-2848.
Kass L, Weekes J, Carpenter L. Effect of Magnesium Supplementation on Blood Pressure: A Meta-Analysis. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2012;66(4):411-418.Miller PE, Van Elswyk M, Alexander DD. Long-chain omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid and blood pressure: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Am J Hypertens. 2014 Jul;27(7):885-96.
Ried K, Fakler P, Stocks NP. Effect of cocoa on blood pressure. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017 Apr 25;4: CD008893.
Rohner A, Ried K, Sobenin IA, Bucher HC, Nordmann AJ. A systematic review and meta-analysis on the effects of garlic preparations on blood pressure in individuals with hypertension. Am J Hypertens. 2015 Mar;28(3):414-23.
Zhang X, Li Y, Del Gobbo LC, et al. Effects of Magnesium Supplementation on Blood Pressure: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trials. Hypertension. 2016 Aug;68(2):324-33.
Disclaimer: The information contained on this site is intended for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for advice, diagnosis, or treatment by a licensed physician. It is not meant to cover all possible precautions, drug interactions, circumstances, or adverse effects. You should seek prompt medical care for any health issues and c
Jan 26, 2018 | News
57 MILLION NIGERIANS ARE HYPERTENSIVE, SAY EXPERTS…. GUARDIAN
Nigeria joins the rest of the world Sunday to mark the World Health Day, medical doctors and pharmacists, under the aegis of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) and Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) have decried the rising number of hypertension (also known as high blood pressure) cases in the country with its attendant complications —stroke, heart attack, blindness and kidney failure.
Reports also indicate that more Nigerian men suffer high blood pressure than their female counterparts due to reasons attributable to lifestyles.
This revelation was made at a press conference organised by the Nigerian Medical Students Association of Nigeria (NMSAN) to mark the World Health Day in Benin City.
National President of the association, Bashir Maru, said one in three adults worldwide are affected by high blood pressure and implicated in over 18 percent of death globally adding that poorer people are worse off.
“For Nigeria, about 22 percent of the population are affected by high blood pressure, and it is called a silent killer because it doesn’t show signs or symptoms till it might be too late.
“It causes blindness, irregular heartbeat or eventual heart failure. It can be countered by reducing high salt intake and high-calorie food and avoiding sedentary (inactive) lifestyle.”
According to the bodies, the number of Nigerians living with high blood pressure is estimated at about 56 million, even as the World Health Organisation (WHO) calls for intensified efforts to prevent and control hypertension.
They also raised alarm over the proliferation in Nigerian markets of fake blood pressure measuring devices and popular diets like some brands of noodles that account for 61 percent of a daily salt requirement in the smallest packs0.
The associations further made known their concerns over some newly promoted brands of soluble paracetamol with about 450mg of sodium per tablet, which transcends 2.7g daily when six tablets are taken a day, a level considered inimical to the health of hypertension patients.
In a statement released Saturday, president of NMA, Dr. Osahon Enabulele, said, “the prevalence of high blood pressure is at its peak in some low-income countries in Africa, with over 40 percent of adults in many African countries at risk of being affected.
“A recent community-based study of rural and semi-urban population in Enugu, Nigeria, put the prevalence of hypertension in Nigeria at 32.8 percent while a meta-analytical study published recently estimated the countrywide prevalence to be between 12.4 and 34.8 percent. The disturbing reality of this statistics is that between a staggering 20,088,000 and 56,376,000 Nigerian citizens are hypertensive.”
Enabulele said the prevalence of hypertension is also increasing globally. “In 2000, 972 million people had hypertension with a prevalence rate of 26.4 percent. These are projected to increase to 1.54 billion affected individuals and a prevalence rate of 29.2 percent in 2025. Incidence rates of hypertension range from three to 18 percent depending on the age, gender, ethnicity, and body size of the population studied,” he said.
The PSN president, Olumide Akintayo, said the risk of developing the complications of hypertension such as heart attacks, strokes and kidney failure is higher than another cardiovascular risk like diabetes. Akintayo, however, said high blood pressure is both preventable and treatable.
The NMA recommended the promotion of healthy lifestyles to combat the rising cases of hypertension and called on the federal government and all state and local councils to declare a public holiday/free day of health check-up for all Nigerians every six months, with effective measures and incentives put in place to encourage compliance.
Enabulele alerted to the proliferation of fake blood pressure measuring meters in the country. He said since hypertension management depends mainly on accurate measurement of blood pressure, efforts should be made to sanitize the blood pressure (BP) equipment supplies and marketing sector.
According to the WHO, one in three adults worldwide has high blood pressure. The proportion increases with age from, one in 10 people in their 20s and 30s to five in 10 people in their 50s.
Worldwide, more than 7.5million deaths are attributed to the condition, about 12.8 percent of all deaths. This accounts for 57 million Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALYS), which accounted for about 3.7 percent of total DALYs.
The WHO noted that high blood pressure is estimated to affect more than one in three adults aged 25 and over, or about one billion people, and Africa has the highest prevalence of hypertension (46 percent of adults) while the lowest in the Americas (35 percent of adults).
Interestingly for Africa and other poor economies, the report further showed a direct relationship between income level and hypertension. Overall, high-income countries have lower hypertension prevalence (35 percent of adults) compared to low and middle-income groups (40 percent of adults), thanks to successful multi-sectoral public policies and better access to health care.
JD: This is worrying and doesn’t look too good at all.we all have to develop healthy lifestyles since we all realize that should anything untoward happy, you are on your own as our governments “have bound us over to the Philistines
57 MILLION NIGERIANS ARE HYPERTENSIVE, SAY EXPERTS…. GUARDIAN
Jan 26, 2018 | News
NIGERIA TOPS HYPERTENSION RATES IN AFRICA – STUDY
By Gabriel Olawale The World Health Organisation, WHO has revealed that 46 percent of adults in the African region countries are hypertensive with adult males tending to have a higher mean systolic blood pressure than adult females.
The report has Nigeria topping the list of males and females with the highest percentage of adults followed by Ghana, Seychelles, Sao Tome and Principe, and Cabo Verde.
The gender comparison data rated Nigeria adult high with 51 percent for males and 49 percent for female hypertension, followed by Ghana with 41 percent male and 38 percent female.
“Seychelles has 44 percent male and 36 percent female; Sao Tome and Principe has 41 percent male and 36 percent female while Cabo Verde record 44 percent male and 34 percent female.” The global average for the number of people suffering from the condition was about 40 percent, the WHO said.
The WHO blamed increasing urbanisation and unhealthy lifestyles for the rise in cases.
The study reaffirms that hypertension remains a major problem, with the percentage of adults who are hypertensively ranging from 16 to 40 percent with a median of 31 percent in 36 STEPwise surveys conducted in the region.
The five countries with the highest prevalence of hypertension were Seychelles (40 percent), Cabo Verde (39 percent), Sao Tome and Principe (39 percent), Ghana (37 percent), Niger (36 percent) and Nigeria (35 percent). Meanwhile, the five countries with the lowest prevalence of raised blood pressure were Mali (16 percent), Eritrea (17 percent), The Democratic Republic of the Congo (Kinshasa, 17 percent), Cameroon (17 percent) and Togo (19 percent).
High blood pressure was often detected too late and was a silent killer, it added. If lifestyles do not change, more people in Africa could die from chronic illnesses, including diabetes and cancer, than infectious disease by 2030, the WHO said.
Surprising result
The report’s author, Abdikamal Alisalad, said the level of unhealthy habits in many African nations had come as a shock.
“We were surprised because we thought we would not see this kind of situation currently. We were expecting it maybe 30 or 40 years from now.”
He attributed the rise in non-communicable diseases to changes in developing societies.
“People are moving from the rural areas, going to urban, metropolitan areas. The middle-income group is growing, life expectancy is also growing.”
“Treating non-communicable diseases is costly, so it is in the economic interest of every country to support prevention campaigns.”
Uncontrolled hypertension or high pressure can result in more serious health issues including memory loss, heart attack, brain damage, eyes damage, stroke, atherosclerosis, and kidney damage.
NIGERIA TOPS HYPERTENSION RATES IN AFRICA – STUDY
Jan 26, 2018 | News
by Kemi Ajumobi | May 19, 2017, 12:45 am
According to the Population Reference Bureau, unhealthy diets and physical inactivity contribute to about 12 million deaths worldwide, which are related to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as stroke, cancer, and diabetes.
The United Nation’s theme for World Hypertension Day (WHD) 2017 is ‘Know Your Numbers’.
In Sub-Saharan Africa, NCDs are on the rise and represent an increasingly significant cause of death and disability among African people. Diets in some African countries lack diversity, resulting in meals that often include a limited range of food groups. High salt levels in Africans’ diets, which increase blood pressure, are also common as salt is used to preserve foods and add taste.
Recently, in commemoration of World Hypertension Day, Nestle Nigeria Plc in collaboration with Nutrition Society of Nigeria (NSN), observed the World Hypertension Day by promoting public awareness of hypertension and encouraged everyone to prevent and control the modern epidemic.
Professor of Cardiology, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Amam Mbakwem at the commemoration said that hypertension is the most powerful risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.
“Hypertension is an asymptomatic disease; complications affecting important organs give rise to symptoms. A recent national multistage survey gave of 13,591 Nigerians – 44.9% prevalence. Hypertension is the most important risk factor for CVD and prevalence continues to rise and expected to affect 1.5billion people worldwide. Prevalence is Nigeria is about 30 –45% and genetic and environmental factors are key to development. Early detection is key and management involves lifestyle changes and drugs.” She said.
For the Managing Director, Nestle Nigeria Plc, Mauricio Alarcon, The WHD is an opportunity to increase high blood pressure awareness by providing critical information to improve knowledge of the prevention and management of hypertension. He further stated that the reason for the conference put together by Nestle in commemoration of WHD is to bring experts and stakeholders in health, wellness, nutrition, family matters and the media to discuss and raise public awareness about hypertension, its preventive measures, and management of its complications. In his words, “One of the most prevalent non-communicable conditions worldwide is hypertension. However, the level of awareness of this health challenge remains low. There is, therefore, need to leverage a day like this to sensitize the general public on the need to ‘Know Their Numbers’ ” said Alarcon.
Echoing the same line of thought is the Chairman, Nutrition Society of Nigeria, Lagos Chapter, Tosin Adu who said “Although high blood pressure has a genetic predisposition, it is principally a lifestyle disorder. The statistics are frightening and the incidence cuts across racial and socio-economic barriers. Lifestyle modification is, therefore, key to both prevention and treatment.” He revealed.
In his address, the Minister of Health, Isaac Adewole, a Professor, represented by Chris Bode, a Professor of Surgery, specialised in pediatric surgery and Chief Medical Director, LUTH said “May is the month of measurement. Let everyone measure their blood pressure and tell others to do so.
The free health services were available not only at the Sheraton Hotel where the conference took place but also at the Palms Mall in Lekki and Ikeja City Mall.The booths at these locations provided health checks including blood pressure, body mass index determination, blood sugar level and on their general health condition.
Hypertension, also known as high or raised blood pressure, is a condition in which the blood vessels have persistently raised pressure. Blood is carried from the heart to all parts of the body in the vessels. Each time the heart beats, it pumps blood into the vessels. Blood pressure is created by the force of blood pushing against the walls of blood vessels (arteries) as it is pumped by the heart. The higher the pressure the harder the heart has to pump.
KEY FACTS OF HYPERTENSION
1, A diagnosis of hypertension may be made when one or both readings are high: systolic (the pressure as the heart pumps blood around the body), given first; or diastolic (pressure as the heart relaxes and refills with blood), given second.
2, Modern lifestyle factors are responsible for a growing burden of hypertension: physical inactivity, salt-rich diets with processed and fatty foods, and alcohol and tobacco use.
3, High blood pressure can also be secondary to other conditions – kidney disease, for example – and can be associated with some medications.
4, Hypertension itself does not cause symptoms but in the long-term leads to complications caused by narrowing of blood vessels.
5, Doctors diagnose high blood pressure over a number of visits using a sphygmomanometer, which involves applying an inflatable cuff to the upper arm.
6, Lifestyle measures are used first to treat high blood pressure, including salt restriction and other dietary changes, moderation of alcohol, and stress reduction.
7, One or more drugs from a number of different classes may be used for treatment.
Kemi Ajumobi
HYPERTENSION PREVENLENCE IN NIGERIA
