Being overweight may cause higher blood pressure and thicken heart muscle, setting the stage for heart disease later in life.
By PTI |
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LONDON: Being overweight may cause higher blood pressure and thicken heart muscle, setting the stage for heart disease later in life, a study has found. The research, published in the journal Circulation, is the first to explore if higher body mass index (BMI) - a weight-for-height index - results in adverse effects on the cardiovascular system in young adults.
"Our results support efforts to reduce body mass index to within a normal, healthy range from a young age to prevent later heart disease," said Kaitlin H Wade from the University of Bristol Medical School in the UK.
Researchers used data on several thousand healthy 17-year-olds and 21-year-olds participating in an ongoing study since birth in Bristol, UK.
The findings suggest that higher BMI caused higher systolic (top number) and diastolic (bottom number) blood pressure.
It also caused enlargement of the left ventricle, the heart's main pumping chamber, the researchers said.
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"Thickening of vessel walls is widely considered to be the first sign of atherosclerosis, a disease in which fatty plaques build up within the arteries and lead to heart disease.
Secret To A Happy Life! Smart Lifestyle Changes Can Keep Your Heart Healthy
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In times when lifestyle induced diseases are on the rise, it becomes important to understand the risk factors and work in the direction to eradicate them especially, if one has a family history of heart diseases.
Here are five smart ways listed by Anjali Malhotra, Chief Customer Marketing and Digital Officer Aviva Life insurance to prevent heart problems in today's busy life.
In times when lifestyle induced diseases are on the rise, it becomes important to understand the risk factors and work in the direction to eradicate them especially, if one has a family history of he..
Read More
In order to keep your heart healthy, it is important to indulge in exercise each day.
A daily exercise schedule in any form of physical activity for a period of 30-45 minutes is crucial to ensure that the arteries remain flexible.
Small changes in your physical activity can help in bringing positive change in your routine.
Studies have shown that brisk walking may add about two hours to the life expectancy of some adults.
Few changes in lifestyle such as taking the stairs instead the elevator, parking at the furthest end of a parking lot and taking a break from the office for a short walk during your lunch hour help in keeping the body in shape and inculcating a habit of healthy living.
In addition, few yoga asanas such as Virbhadrasana, Tadasana, Utkatasana, Bhujangasana and Vrikshasana also helps in preventing heart problems. If you practice these five yoga postures daily, you can reduce substantial risk of heart problems.
In order to keep your heart healthy, it is important to indulge in exercise each day.
A daily exercise schedule in any form of physical activity for a period of 30-45 minutes is crucial to ensure th..
Read More
Eating right is the key to a healthy heart and a healthy life. However, majority of us tend to ignore it.
What you eat directly affects your heart. Therefore, ensure the intake of green and leafy vegetables, exclude sugar and aerated drinks from your diet, replace sweetened beverages with water as much as possible and bring down the intake of processed foods and refined flour.
Too much sodium can also cause excess fluid in the body that puts an extra strain on your heart. Therefore, it is best to adapt to variety of spices, herbs and flavours that are an alternative to salt.
Also, exclude red meats from the diet in order to avoid bad cholesterol. Keep the intake of oil and sugar minimal which will further help in reducing the risk of heart problems.
Eating right is the key to a healthy heart and a healthy life. However, majority of us tend to ignore it.
What you eat directly affects your heart. Therefore, ensure the intake of green and leafy ve..
Read More
Excess body weight is dangerous for the heart. Keep an eye on weight as it elevates chances of getting high cholesterol levels, which may lead to diabetes, risk of artery disease, and blood pressure.
Keep a check on BMI (Body Mass Index) and maintain it to optimal levels.
Excess body weight is dangerous for the heart. Keep an eye on weight as it elevates chances of getting high cholesterol levels, which may lead to diabetes, risk of artery disease, and blood pressure...
Read More
Smoking and alcohol will have a higher risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. These habits are known to elevate blood pressure, causing irregular heartbeat and stokes.
Not only that, it leads to overall disruption in the normal functioning of the heart. Therefore, it is advisable to avoid consumption of both or consume it in moderation and gradually phase it out. It may be difficult to follow but worth the effort.
Smoking and alcohol will have a higher risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. These habits are known to elevate blood pressure, causing irregular heartbeat and stokes.
Not only that, it leads t..
Read More
Various studies have established that stress is one of the biggest triggers of heart problems. It can cause aches and pains, trigger feelings of anxiety and depression, and lower your energy.
Try and keep stress at bay. Look for activities other than work which helps keep stress levels in check.
Indulge in a hobby or a positive self-talk, listen to music or reading a good book or meditate.
These techniques have helped in reducing stress and developing a positive outlook towards work and life.
Various studies have established that stress is one of the biggest triggers of heart problems. It can cause aches and pains, trigger feelings of anxiety and depression, and lower your energy.
Try an..
"However, our findings suggest that higher BMIs cause changes in the heart structure of the young that may precede changes in blood vessels," Wade said.
Two of the analyses used in the study (Mendelian randomisation and recall-by-genotype) take advantage of the properties of genetic variation.
Recall-by-genotype is novel and exploits the random allocation of genes at conception.
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Heartburn Troubles? Foods To Ease The Problem And Make Gut Feel Good
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Heartburn can strike anyone, but it usually happens to those who are obese and eat big and untimely meals.
From coffee to chocolate, everything you eat may make heartburn worse. But there are also foods that can ease your heartburn.
Here are some of them for you by Ayush Rekha:
Heartburn can strike anyone, but it usually happens to those who are obese and eat big and untimely meals.
From coffee to chocolate, everything you eat may make heartburn worse. But there are also f..
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These two fruits have very low acid content. Hence, they are extremely effective in easing heartburn
These two fruits have very low acid content. Hence, they are extremely effective in easing heartburn
Green vegetables like leafy veggies, broccoli, green beans, celery and cauliflower are low in acid. This can also help in keeping you away from extreme acidity.
Green vegetables like leafy veggies, broccoli, green beans, celery and cauliflower are low in acid. This can also help in keeping you away from extreme acidity.
Fibre content and healthy complex carbs in rice are great to reduce heartburn.
Fibre content and healthy complex carbs in rice are great to reduce heartburn.
The egg whites are a good source of protein. They low acidic quality makes them a good options against heartburns.
The egg whites are a good source of protein. They low acidic quality makes them a good options against heartburns.
This calcium-rich food can soothe heartburn and improve digestion.
This calcium-rich food can soothe heartburn and improve digestion.
All root vegetables, except onion, are good for heartburn.
All root vegetables, except onion, are good for heartburn.
Consuming raw milk during heartburn gives instant relief. It also helps in stomach inflammation.
Consuming raw milk during heartburn gives instant relief. It also helps in stomach inflammation.
Apples contain phenolic phytochemicals that can calm heartburn.
Apples contain phenolic phytochemicals that can calm heartburn.
