According to a recent report, diabetes has the potential to double the risk of developing serious blood vessel diseases and life-threatening conditions such as strokes and heart attacks. If you have a family history of diabetes it is crucial to inform your doctor so they can provide you with regular testing to ensure that the potential of developing diabetes is being properly monitoring.

A recent study has helped prove that individuals who drink tea and coffee in moderation have a lower risk for heart disease than individuals who do not.  The research did however find that even though tea and coffee may help prevent heart disease it had no impact on preventing a stroke. Researchers followed more than 37,000 people in the Netherlands for a span of 13 years to complete this study.  This study is one of the largest and longest studies ever to explore the impact of coffee and tea drinking on heart health.

The study found that:

• People who drank three to six cups of tea per day had a 45% lower risk of death from heart disease than people who drank less than one cup of tea a day.
• Drinking more than six cups of tea a day was associated with a 36% lower risk of heart disease, compared to drinking less than one cup.
• People who drank more than two, but no more than four, cups of coffee a day had about a 20% lower risk of heart disease than people who drank more or less coffee or no coffee at all.
• Moderate coffee consumption was associated with a slight, but not statistically significant, reduction in death from heart disease, but neither coffee nor tea affected stroke risk.

Heart Disease is a one of the leading causes of death in men and women throughout the United States and various parts of the world. If you have a family history of heart disease it is important to contact your doctor to make sure that you are doing everything possible to prevent a heart attack from happening to you. There are numerous ways that you can work towards heart attack prevention. Some common recommendation include diet and exercise. Contact your doctor today to find the best plan for you.

According to a recent study it was found that women who consume large amounts of certain high-carbohydrate foods may be at an increased risk of heart disease. The study showed an increased incidence of coronary disease in women while no increase was found in men who followed the same diet of foods with a “high glycemic index,” such as white bread, sweets and some sugary breakfast cereals.

The study noted that all high-carbohydrate diets increase the levels of blood glucose and harmful blood fats known as triglycerides while reducing levels of protective HDL or “good” cholesterol, thereby increasing heart disease risk.

Researchers found not all carbohydrates have the same effect on blood glucose levels. The study also concluded that blood glucose and triglycerides were impacted more by foods with a high glycemic index, compared with other carbohydrates with a lower index, such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains.

With the busy lives that most Americans lead today it seems we don’t have enough time for anything,  including getting the correct amount of sleep. Although this may not seem like a pressing matter for most individuals getting the right amount of sleep has a large impact on your body and heart. Some reports have found that a lack of sleep can increase your risk of heart attack amongst many other health risks. Reports have also found that Americans sleep on average 2 hours less per night than they did 40 years ago. This may not seem like a long amount of time but when added up it can have a large impact on your body. Recent reports have found that over 70 million Americans suffer from a sleep problem and nearly 60 percent of those have a chronic disorder. If you feel you are suffering from a sleep condition it is important to consult your doctor immediately.

High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a disease that effects millions of Americans today. Most people are not aware that they are suffering from high blood pressure. It is important to be aware of your blood pressure level because high blood pressure can result in stroke, heart attack and death if not treated properly.

Contrary to what most people think, high blood pressure does not just affect people who are tense, stressed or nervous. It can affect anyone and is not based on personality traits such as those listed above.

Every wondered what exactly blood pressure is? Well it is important to remember that your body needs oxygen to survive. The body carries oxygen through blood. When the heart beats it creates pressure that will push blood through various arteries and veins, also known as blood vessels and capillaries. Blood pressure is the result of two forces. The first force occurs as blood pumps out of the heart and into the arteries that are part of the circulatory system. The second force is created as the heart rests between heart beats.

Healthy arteries are made of muscle and a semi-flexible tissue that stretches when the heart pumps blood through them. The more forcefully that the blood pumps results in the arteries stretching more to allow blood to flow easily. Overtime if these tissues continue to stretch it will create problems such as:

• Vascular Weakness
• Vascular Scarring
• Increased Risk of Blood Clots
• Increased Plaque Build
• Tissue and Organ Damage From Narrowed and Blocked Arteries

There are two different risk factors for heart attack, inherited ( genetic) or acquired.  Inherited or genetic risk factors are things that you are born with that cannot be changed. Although these factors cannot be changed, they can be improved with medical management and lifestyle changes. Some of these factors include:

• individuals with inherited high blood pressure
• individuals with family history of heart disease
• persons with type 1 diabetes

Acquired factors are factors caused by activities that we choose to participate in. Some of these factors include:

• cigarette smokers
• people who are under a lot of stress
• people who drink to much alcohol
• individuals overweight by 30 percent or more
• people who eat a diet high in saturated fat
• people with acquired high blood pressure
• individuals who lead a sedentary lifestyle

If you are putting your self at risk for a heart attack take the necessary steps to help put yourself out of danger and contact a doctor today.