Target cholesterol may be defined as the safe range of cholesterol recommended for healthy and disorder-free life. Cholesterol is today regarded as one of the major risk factors for heart attacks and strokes among people across the world. Therefore, it is absolutely imperative to know the precise presence of this harmful fatty substance in the body and work harder to attain the perfect or target level. However, apart from the dietary habits, factors like blood pressure, age, family history, medical records and sometimes gender also interfere with the presence of total cholesterol in the body. Patients with low risk often and less than two coronary disorders and neither of them is life threatening must have the bad cholesterol or the LDL level around 160. However, those who have two or more than two heart disorders must record the LDL cholesterol presence around 130.  A cholesterol level  [...]

Eating the right kind of foods can help in preventing heart diseases or decreasing the chances of suffering from heart disorders significantly. Below we have discussed about some of the heart-friendly food items: Fish: According to medical experts, consuming a minimum of two servings of fatty fishes each of 3.5 oz every week helps in keeping the heart healthy. Some examples of the heart healthy fishes include: albacore tune, sardines, herring, trout, salmon, mackerel etc. All these fishes contain high levels of omega-3 fatty acids; these essential fatty acids works by reducing our blood pressure. Besides the essential fatty acids, the oily fishes named above are also rich sources of selenium, the mineral helping to protect our body from various heart disorders. Lean meats: Consuming red meat increases the levels of bad cholesterol or LDL cholesterol in our blood, which is one of the primary causes of heart problems. Consuming lean meats instead of  [...]

The world has been taken by storm when it comes to the tiny berries from South America – the acai berries. These unassuming little berries are said to have a lot of power packed in them; and the world can’t seem to stop talking about the health benefits of acai. One more important aspect about the benefits of acai includes its benefits for heart health. Acai berries are said to be helpful when it comes to fighting against diseases of the heart, or could help by slowing down the progression of existing heart diseases. Matters of Cholesterol: Among other health problems, one that has a lot to do with your heart health is that of your cholesterol levels. If you have high levels of cholesterol, it can spell ‘danger’ for your cardiovascular health. More than 40,000 Americans are said to be dying every month, owing to Coronary Heart Diseases and high levels of cholesterol. If you regulate the levels of bad cholesterol and get in more of  [...]

There is plenty of research on the positive effects of mono-unsaturated fat. Studies have proven that there are plenty of potent phytochemicals in olive oil. These are plant compounds that have potential health benefits for people. These compounds are phenolic in nature. They promote optimum health. Some research has proven that a phytochemical, called hydroxytyrosol, is effective in ‘thinning’ the blood. Some other phytochemicals prevent inflammation of the blood vessels and oxidation of fats. They protect the walls of the blood vessels and dilate them to improve circulation. Olive oil combats cholesterol Olive oil regulates cholesterol levels in the body and this promotes heart health. It helps lower levels of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglyceride. Research is inconclusive whether or not olive oil affects  [...]

Did you know that you may actually be more prone to a heart attack about 10 days after you were diagnosed with a viral infection? Based on a new study conducted by a Canadian University, the annual flu shots might be helpful in more than just staving you off the seasonal flu. These shots could also end up preventing heart attacks. The earlier you end up getting the flu shot, the greater will be the ability of the flu shot to protect you, says the study. As per statistics, heart attacks are seen to increase in number during the months of winter. This is the time when the flu is also extremely common. Based on this observation, there seems to be some possible link between these two conditions. There is no exact clarity on how the flu shot might be able to help in the case of preventing heart attacks; but there is a take that viral infections could cause for the plaque to rupture the arteries, and this could eventually result in a stroke/heart attack. As per the study, more than 74000 patients were said to get their flu shots; and they ended up having about 15% reduction in heart attack. This was in comparison to the other category of people who didn’t get a shot in that particular year. The earlier the people got their flu shots, the better protection it provided them with, in terms of the flu and the heart attacks. If you suffer from a buildup of plaque in your artery walls, it could cause for severe inflammation; and when plaque undergoes inflammation, it might give way and rupture. This would cause for a heart attack.

CDC Says Make Flu Vaccines Universal:

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said that universal flu vaccinations are recommended for anyone who is above the age of 6 months. A lot of people end up losing their working days to a viral fever; and flu shots might actually help in reducing these numbers. This shot is said to be highly effective in the case of people who do not boast of a high immunity. Flu shots are even more necessary in the case of children who are between the age of 6 months and 24 months. Pregnant women should also get themselves vaccinated.

The Flu Shot:

The vaccine is known to contain dead influenza strains; and these help in pumping up the body’s immunity. The shot needs to be taken once every year; and the time to take it is at the beginning of winter. However, people who are allergic to eggs and any egg products should not take the vaccine. The reason behind this is that these shots are known to grow inside eggs.