According to recent reports working overtime may have  harmful effects on your heart and result in more heart related health issues. This is often a result of to much stress due to long work hours which has a negative effect on the heart and can result in other health concerns. One of the main factors to take in consideration if you are working a lot of overtime is to have a good balance between work time, leisure time, and family time. This may be more important for the heart than previously thought.  If you are logging longs hours at the office, take a step back and make sure you are getting the right amount of time for you to balance out the stress that work can bring.

There are many different symptoms of a heart attack that can act as a warning sign before a heart attack occurs.  Understanding these symptoms is important and can help  to save your life.  Heart attack symptoms often vary between people and can be different for men and women.  Below is a list of some common heart attack symptoms:

• Uncomfortable pressure, fullness, squeezing or pain in the center of the chest lasting more than a few minutes.
• Pain spreading to the shoulders, neck or arms, this pain may be mild to intense.
• Chest discomfort
• Lightheadedness
• Nausea
• Shortness of breath
• Anxiety
• Nervousness and/or cold, sweaty skin
• Increased or irregular heart rate

If  you have a family history of heart disease or feel you are at a higher risk for a heart attack it is important to contact your doctor for more information. They will be able to provide you with helpful information and proper preventative measures.

Sodium is a major cause of high blood pressure, which in turn can lead to heart attack and stroke. Most people do not always think about the impact that adding salt to food can have over a long period of time. Although the body does need salt, the amount that amount that most Americans consume is much higher than the recommended amount.  The best way to determine if you have to much salt in your diet is by consulting your doctor. They will be able to provide you with a recommended daily salt intake and let you know how much salt is too much.

It seems that everyone has heard of heart disease but how many of us actually know what heart disease is? Heart disease includes conditions affecting the heart, such as coronary heart disease, heart attack, congestive heart failure, and congenital heart disease. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the U.S. There are numerous ways to work towards heart disease prevention include quitting smoking, lowering cholesterol, controlling high blood pressure, maintaining a healthy weight, and exercising. If you have family history of heart disease or feel you may be at a higher risk for heart disease it is important to have regular checkups with your doctor.

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.

Below are some helpful tips that can help you lower cholesterol and help to prevent heart disease:

1. Distinguish between “good and “bad” cholesterol.  Your body needs a small amount of cholesterol to function properly.  It is important however too avoid to much saturated fats and cholesterol in your diet because both can raise levels of LDL, also known as “bad” cholesterol.  LDL cholesterol can cause plaque to build up in arteries, leading to heart disease. HDL “good” cholesterol, on the other hand, helps clear bad cholesterol from your blood. You want to lower LDL cholesterol and raise HDL cholesterol, starting with your diet.

2. At meal time don’t forget to load your plate with fruits and vegetables — five to nine servings a day — to help lower LDL “bad” cholesterol

3.  Eating fish twice a week can help lower cholesterol. Fish is low in saturated fat and high in healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids help lower levels of trigylcerides, a type of fat in the blood.

4. Whole grains are important! Eating whole grains in the morning can benefit you throughout the whole day. The fiber and complex carbohydrates in whole grains help you feel fuller for longer, so you’ll be less tempted to overeat later in the day.

5.  Stay active.  Staying physically active can benefit your body in more ways than one. If you don’t like going to the gym just go for a walk. Working out does not mean struggling, participate in an activity that you are comfortable with.

Chocolate has always been something that most people try to avoid when wanting to stay healthy. Recent reports however are proving that chocolate can in fact be good for your heart and may help to prevent heart attacks and strokes.

This does not mean that we can all start consuming large amounts of chocolate everyday but does mean that small amounts of dark chocolate have been found to have a positive effect on your heart. So the next time you are in the mood for something sweet why not pick up some dark chocolate and take a step towards heart attack prevention!

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.

Heart attacks effect each individual differently. Often heart attack warning signs are not sudden and intense like they appear in movies, although that doesn’t mean they never are. Heart attacks often start slowly, with mild pain or discomfort. Unfortunately in most cases people are not aware of what is going on and wait to long before getting the proper help. It is important to remember that a heart attack can effect each person differently and to be aware of different warning signs and what they mean. Below is a list of various heart attack warning signs that could help to save your life or someone that you love.

• Chest Discomfort - the majority of heart attacks involve chest discomfort in that center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, this can also feel like a squeezing, fullness or pain
• Shortness of breath - this can occur with or without chest discomfort
• Nausea or lightheadedness
• Breaking out into a cold sweat

Having a heart healthy diet is important! Knowing how to eat heart healthy can be difficult sometimes. Below is a list of some heart healthy foods and tips to help you maintain a heart healthy diet. Eating healthy is a great method for heart attack prevention.

1. Eliminate salt- Instead of using salt try different fresh hers such as sage, thyme, oregano and rosemary

2. Black Beans - Black beans are packed with healthy heart nutirents including folate, antioxidants, magnesium for lowing blood pressure and fiber

3. Salmon - Salmon is a top food for heart health, it is rich in omega-3s EPA and DHA

4. Tuna - Tuna is a good source of heart-healthy omega-3s it generally costs less than salmon

5. Extra Virgin Olive Oil - This oil, made from the first press of olives, is especially rich in heart healthy antioxidants called polyphenols

6. Walnuts - A small handful of walnuts each day can help to lower your cholesterol

7. Edamame - These green soybeans are packed with soy protein

8. Sweet Potatoes - Sweet potatoes are a heart healthy substitute for white potatoes

9. Oranges - Oranges contain fiber pectic and potassium

10. Carrots - Carrots can help to control blood sugar levels and reduce the risk of developing diabetes