I am still attending my cardiac rehabilitation class. The exercise levels have been increased this week, but I found I could cope fairly easily. No doubt this is because I have been building myself up to this level over the last few weeks. The main difference has been an increase in my confidence levels. Knowing that I can achieve this level of exertion without suffering an angina attack has been a significant boost. I feel much happier knowing that I am winning the battle to get back to a normal level of activity. The days following my recent heart attack were pretty stressful as I quickly got breathless following minor exertions; things like climbing the stairs in the house were becoming quite a chore. However, the nurses at the class told me that this was because I was out of shape and that gentle exercise was required to start building up the heart muscle. As the heart becomes fitter, it becomes more efficient at its job and puts a lesser strain on the body’s systems. Seems that this is very true as I now manage to do activities that I had not carried out for a number of months.
My diet is also progressing well, eating healthily is enjoyable and I have found that the recipes from the “Diet Generator” found in Strip that fat have been producing very tasty meals. The big advantage in eating these healthy meals is that they help to lower my cholesterol levels and this will be of tremendous benefit to my general heart health.
Friday, 31 July 2009
Friday, 24 July 2009
Protect against Swine Flu
As I suffer from coronary heart problems, I am concerned about the latest pandemic known as Swine Flu. There is a lot of advice being given at the moment by doctors and government agencies about precautions we should take as well as the actions they will be taking to protect the general public.
It was while I was researching the effects of swine flu with regards to coronary heart disease that I found out about a device that is available now and can offer some degree of protection against this virus. It works using ultraviolet light and can be conveniently carried in your pocket or handbag. The virus can apparently exist for several hours on any surface after leaving the human host and can therefore infect others who pick it up from the surface. I am sure that using this device will help to reduce the likelihood of people catching this flu, and so I thought I would post some details about it here. The link to purchase the Nano UV Disinfection Light Scanner is at the bottom of the page.
It was while I was researching the effects of swine flu with regards to coronary heart disease that I found out about a device that is available now and can offer some degree of protection against this virus. It works using ultraviolet light and can be conveniently carried in your pocket or handbag. The virus can apparently exist for several hours on any surface after leaving the human host and can therefore infect others who pick it up from the surface. I am sure that using this device will help to reduce the likelihood of people catching this flu, and so I thought I would post some details about it here. The link to purchase the Nano UV Disinfection Light Scanner is at the bottom of the page.
Wednesday, 22 July 2009
Progress with my recovery – Tuesday, 21 July 2009
Well it seems to be going well so far. I’ve been seen by lots of doctors and nurses who have all given me good advice. The advice centres around four main areas for me.
1. Lose weight
2. Keep my blood sugars under control (I am a diabetic)
3. Take plenty of exercise.
4. Keep my cholesterol below 4 (apparently mine is at 3.9)
My blood sugars have always been well controlled, but being a diabetic has meant that my arteries are clogged along their entire length with plaque. This makes a bypass or fitting stents out of the question for me, so any future events will be controlled by medication. At least that’s what the doctor tells me, I just hope he gets it right.
I am concentrating on keeping my cholesterol level down by following a healthy diet and getting plenty of exercise. The exercise regime I have started involves lots of walking. I aim to do at least three miles per day, which takes me an hour. This means that I am exercising within my “zone” according to the physiotherapist who runs the class I attend twice a week. The class is for those recovering from a heart attack and gives me some extra exercise above my daily walks and also provides me with a lot of motivation as well as good practical advice about maintaining a healthy life style.
Between my regular exercise and following a healthy diet, I intend to lose weight. My target is to lose weight at a steady rate as this is reckoned to be the way to lose it and to keep it off. Ideally two pounds per week is ideal so that’s my target. I’ll be posting my weekly weight loss figures here, so that makes sure that I stick to the diet.
Well that’s all for this week. Please join my group by clicking on the link with the title “add me to this sites community” It’s just under “Most Recent Visitors.”
1. Lose weight
2. Keep my blood sugars under control (I am a diabetic)
3. Take plenty of exercise.
4. Keep my cholesterol below 4 (apparently mine is at 3.9)
My blood sugars have always been well controlled, but being a diabetic has meant that my arteries are clogged along their entire length with plaque. This makes a bypass or fitting stents out of the question for me, so any future events will be controlled by medication. At least that’s what the doctor tells me, I just hope he gets it right.
I am concentrating on keeping my cholesterol level down by following a healthy diet and getting plenty of exercise. The exercise regime I have started involves lots of walking. I aim to do at least three miles per day, which takes me an hour. This means that I am exercising within my “zone” according to the physiotherapist who runs the class I attend twice a week. The class is for those recovering from a heart attack and gives me some extra exercise above my daily walks and also provides me with a lot of motivation as well as good practical advice about maintaining a healthy life style.
Between my regular exercise and following a healthy diet, I intend to lose weight. My target is to lose weight at a steady rate as this is reckoned to be the way to lose it and to keep it off. Ideally two pounds per week is ideal so that’s my target. I’ll be posting my weekly weight loss figures here, so that makes sure that I stick to the diet.
Well that’s all for this week. Please join my group by clicking on the link with the title “add me to this sites community” It’s just under “Most Recent Visitors.”
Sunday, 19 July 2009
5 ways to reduce your cholesterol levels
A high cholesterol level is a threat to your heart. If you have high cholesterol then here are 5 ways to reduce your cholesterol levels that do not rely on medication to have an effect. They each help to reduce the "bad cholesterol" known as LDL as well as helping to boost your "good" cholesterol known as HDL. By following these 5 ways to reduce your cholesterol level, you will enhance the effectiveness of any medications you are taking and you may even avoid having to take medication in the first instance if you act before the levels get too high.
The first way to reduce your cholesterol levels
Lose weight
If you are overweight, loosing as little as two or three pounds will help reduce your cholesterol level. The more you lose, the greater the benefit. To achieve a steady weight loss, you will need to be honest with yourself. Keep a diary detailing everything you eat and at what times you eat. This will help you to identify those weight gaining snacks and will allow you to develop a strategy for avoiding them or substituting something healthy instead. For instance, eat carrot sticks instead of potato chips.
The second way to reduce your cholesterol levels
Stick to heart healthy food
Perhaps you have been eating unhealthy foods up until now, but it is never too late to change. Reduce your intake of red meats, aiming for no more than two portions per week. Try to take more chicken and fish as these foods are better for your heart. Fish is particularly good for you as it contains omega 3 fats. You will need to have some carbohydrates to keep the meals balanced, but do not overload your plate with them. Some potatoes, rice or pasta are ideal carbohydrates to have. You can always bulk up your plate with vegetables and salad.
The third way to reduce your cholesterol levels
Take some exercise each day
Exercise of any kind can help to lower you cholesterol. However, there is even better news about regular exercise. It can increase your HDL, “the good cholesterol” and this makes it all the more worthwhile. HDL will actively collect cholesterol from around the body and assist the liver in disposing of it. To get the benefit of exercising to lower you cholesterol, you will need to carry out a minimum of 30 minutes of brisk activity each day. Activities such as walking, cycling and swimming are excellent ways to reduce cholesterol.
The fourth way to reduce your cholesterol levels
Give up cigarettes
I can’t stress this enough, if you smoke Stop Now. The benefits to be gained from not smoking are well known. However, as well as these benefits, stopping will help to raise your HDL levels. As far as your heart health goes, stop for just 20 minutes and your blood pressure will decrease. In as little as 24 hours without smoking your chances of suffering a heart attack will have gone down. As time goes by, the effects of not smoking multiply upward until after one year your risk of having a heart attack will be halved. Keep it up for fifteen years and your chances of having a heart attack will be the same as someone who has never smoked in their life.
The fifth way to reduce your cholesterol levels
Reduce your alcohol intake
It is true that taking alcohol in moderation can boost your HDL levels. This does not mean that a non drinker should start drinking however. Limit your intake of alcohol to the recommended limits of one unit per day for a woman and two units per day for a man. It is said that red wine is particularly good for the heart, but remember the daily limits.
The first way to reduce your cholesterol levels
Lose weight
If you are overweight, loosing as little as two or three pounds will help reduce your cholesterol level. The more you lose, the greater the benefit. To achieve a steady weight loss, you will need to be honest with yourself. Keep a diary detailing everything you eat and at what times you eat. This will help you to identify those weight gaining snacks and will allow you to develop a strategy for avoiding them or substituting something healthy instead. For instance, eat carrot sticks instead of potato chips.
The second way to reduce your cholesterol levels
Stick to heart healthy food
Perhaps you have been eating unhealthy foods up until now, but it is never too late to change. Reduce your intake of red meats, aiming for no more than two portions per week. Try to take more chicken and fish as these foods are better for your heart. Fish is particularly good for you as it contains omega 3 fats. You will need to have some carbohydrates to keep the meals balanced, but do not overload your plate with them. Some potatoes, rice or pasta are ideal carbohydrates to have. You can always bulk up your plate with vegetables and salad.
The third way to reduce your cholesterol levels
Take some exercise each day
Exercise of any kind can help to lower you cholesterol. However, there is even better news about regular exercise. It can increase your HDL, “the good cholesterol” and this makes it all the more worthwhile. HDL will actively collect cholesterol from around the body and assist the liver in disposing of it. To get the benefit of exercising to lower you cholesterol, you will need to carry out a minimum of 30 minutes of brisk activity each day. Activities such as walking, cycling and swimming are excellent ways to reduce cholesterol.
The fourth way to reduce your cholesterol levels
Give up cigarettes
I can’t stress this enough, if you smoke Stop Now. The benefits to be gained from not smoking are well known. However, as well as these benefits, stopping will help to raise your HDL levels. As far as your heart health goes, stop for just 20 minutes and your blood pressure will decrease. In as little as 24 hours without smoking your chances of suffering a heart attack will have gone down. As time goes by, the effects of not smoking multiply upward until after one year your risk of having a heart attack will be halved. Keep it up for fifteen years and your chances of having a heart attack will be the same as someone who has never smoked in their life.
The fifth way to reduce your cholesterol levels
Reduce your alcohol intake
It is true that taking alcohol in moderation can boost your HDL levels. This does not mean that a non drinker should start drinking however. Limit your intake of alcohol to the recommended limits of one unit per day for a woman and two units per day for a man. It is said that red wine is particularly good for the heart, but remember the daily limits.
Saturday, 18 July 2009
5 super foods that lower cholesterol
I have came across some very interesting information about foods that can lower cholesterol levels. By utilising these foods in my diet, I hope to reduce my cholesterol levels and reduce my reliance on medications. Visit my site at 5 super foods that lower cholesterol to find out more.
Thursday, 16 July 2009
The side effects of statins
Statins are commonly prescribed by doctors as part of a management strategy for Angina. The reason is that statins, of which simvastatin is one type, are used to reduce the production of cholesterol by the liver. Cholesterol is a sticky substance which can accumulate within the arteries of the heart and cause the narrowing associated with Angina and Heart Attacks.
Unfortunately, these drugs have side effects. These include,
· Rhabdomyolysis (muscle-destroying condition)
· Muscle Weakness And Pain
· Memory Loss
· Difficulty Sleeping
· Dizziness
· Headache
· Heartburn
Not everyone will experience these side effects, but my experience has been that doctors do not give enough information about side effects when prescribing these drugs. As a consequence, it is not until the patient mentions to their doctor that something is up that the doctor may recognise that the symptoms described are a side effect of statins. If you experience any of these side effects, talk to your doctor.
It is also well worth your while looking into alternative treatments that can be used instead of statins. If you are interested in finding out more about these natural remedies, then the information you need, along with many more amazing facts about lowering cholesterol, can be found at The 60 day prescription free cholesterol cure
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