February is American Heart Month: Make Prevention a Priority

** Note, new 2011 heart disease guidelines for women have been released since this blog posted. The new guidelines include:

• Keeping cholesterol level at 200 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) or less
• Keeping blood pressure at 120/80 mm Hg
• Having a fasting blood glucose under 100 mg/dL
• Recognition that diseases like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis increase heart disease risk in women

For a summary of the 2011 new heart disease guidelines for women, click here.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S. In 2009 alone, about 785,000 Americans had a coronary attack. But--there is good news. We can reduce the chance of developing coronary heart disease by making prevention a priority. It’s time!

February is American Heart Month, a national campaign to share information about heart disease and to raise awareness. Do you know the signs? A heart attack may feel sharp and sudden, but many start slowly. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute posted their “Act in Time to Heart Attack Signs” video to help you identify the warning signs.

Whether or not you or a loved one have suffered with heart disease, prevention is a year-round campaign. Download your free ACHS Wellness Guide for more heart health and how-to information!

Hawthorn Crataegus laevigata has traditionally been used to support healthy cardiovascular function. Studies show hawthorn acts on the myocardium. It increases the force of contraction and lengthens the refractory period, increasing coronary blood flow and cardiac output, and reducing oxygen consumption.[1] For more information about the active constituents and medicinal uses of hawthorn, download our hawthorn monograph HERE.

References
1. Chang Q, Zuo Z, Harrison F, Chow MS. (2002) Hawthorn. J Clin Pharmacol, 42:605-12.
2. Pittler MH, Schmidt K, Ernst E. (2003). Hawthorn extract for treating chronic heart failure: meta-analysis of randomized trials. Am J Med, 114:665-74.
3. Schwinger RH, Pietsch M, Frank K, Brixius K. (2000). Crataegus special extract WS 1442 increases force of contraction in human myocardium cAMPindependently. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol, 35:700-7.

This information is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to treat, diagnose, cure, or prevent disease. You should always consult with your primary care physician, naturopathic doctor, or Registered Herbalist before making any significant changes to your health and wellness routine.

3 Safe and Simple Health Tests You Can Do At Home

The February 24 issue of The Oregonian featured an article by Joe Rojas-Burke, "Safe, simple health tests you can do at home," which stated that one of the most informative tests has proved "to be the cheapest: blood pressure measurements, taken lying down and then standing." Though low-tech approaches aren't flashy, researchers have developed some simple tests that have "proven accurate at predicting future health problems. The advanced warning can provide time to avoid illness by making changes in diet, exercise, sleep and other habits, and if necessary, taking medications to stay healthy."

Each test is simple and safe to try at home. If, however, you have any questions or concerns or experience any negative results, contact your primary care physician immediately.

Resting Heart Rate
Resting heart rate is an early warning for heart attack. To test yourself, you should first sit quietly for five minutes, then use your fingertips to find your pulse at your throat or wrist. Then "count the beats in 30 seconds and multiply by two. If your rate is above 75, consider talking to a medical caregiver about whether you need to make changes to lower your heart attack rick."

Waist Size
Waist size is an early warning for diabetes, heart disease, and premature death. To test yourself, first measure your bare waist across the belly button. Don't compress your skin. If your measurement is greater than 35 inches (woman) or 40 inches (men), it may " signal high risk for diabetes and heart disease. In children, the measures are less certain, says Dr. Sudhir Ken Mehta, a pediatric cardiologist at Case Western Reserve University and Fairview Hospital in Cleveland, whose research has linked waist size to heart problems in children. Mehta says its worth talking to a doctor if by age 5 your child's waist size exceeds 24 inches; by age 10 years it's more than about 30 inches; or by age 15 it's more than 35 inches."

Sit-Up Capacity
Sit-up capacity is an early warning for premature death. To test yourself, lie on your back, place your hands behind your head, and bend your knees at a right angle. Make sure your feet are flat on the floor. Then curl at the waist, toward your knees, and return to your starting position. Count the number of repetitions you can complete in one minute: " If your performance is below average, more strength training would do you good. Average is 14 sit-ups for women in their 40s, nine in their 50s, and six in their 60s. For men, it's 23 sit-ups in their 40s, 18 in their 50s, and 12 in their 60s."

>> For more try-at-home health tests, and to read the original research, download the full-length article from The Oregonian here:
http://www.oregonlive.com/health/index.ssf/2010/02/safe_simple_health_tests_you_c.html

Write your local government to change what we feed them!

News Flash! Epidemic sweeps the nation -- 25% of people in New Hampshire have tested positive for this disease, 30% in Alaska, 27% in Ohio. In fact, almost every state in the nation has a quarter of its population testing positive for this deadly disease. Deaths attributed to this epidemic are staggering: heart attacks, strokes and even cancers are stemming from this epidemic, there is no realistic end in site. Why is this not reported to us on the news? Why are we not issued alerts on each news update on how to protect ourselves from this worldwide killer? READ MORE....