Angina is a medical term simply meaning lack of oxygen to the heart.  Lack of oxygen to any area of the body will cause pain in time since oxygen is the nutrients to our tissues in the human body.  Since the heart is in our upper chest angina will cause pressure or pain in the chest area and could radiate down the left arm.  Angina is reversible, no damage has occurred to the heart, but don’t get it treated and a heart attack will soon occur.

A Myocardial Infarction (MI) is just another name for a heart attack.  The coronary arteries supply the heart muscle which is called the myocardium in medical terms.  When one of these arteries are blocked and the blood supply is cut off partially to completely an MI can definitely occur.  The problem here is actual damage and scarring occurs at the area of where the MI took place in the heart.  Cell death does not occur immediately once the artery is blocked.  It takes several minutes to start the injury process and this continues for several hours unless the artery is opened up and blood flow is restored.

Cause:

The reason for the blockage is usually a buildup of plaque (deposits of fat-like substances) in the walls of the coronary arteries.

The plaque buildup narrows the walls of the artery and can cause blood clots to occur.  Plaque buildup is caused by a disease known as artherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries).  An artherosclerotic plaque is a made up of cells, cholesterol, and other fatty substances.  The plaque develops in the wall of the coronary artery and over time becomes large enough to start narrowing the channel through which the blood travels.

The pool of lipid (the fat) within the plaque is covered by a thin fibrous cap.  This cap may split or fracture, exposing the blood to elements within the plaque that cause blood clot formation.

This clotting process may be controlled by the body, which contains substances to dissolve clots, or may lead to complete blockage of the artery.  When the artery is  blocked acutely for more than a few minutes, cell death start to occur.

Coronary heart disease is a very common disease and is the leading cause of death in the United States.  More than 500,000 men and women suffer a heart attack each year.

Are all heart attacks the same?   NO, A small heart attack means only a small amount of the heart muscle tissue has died.  Recovery in such cases is typically fast, and complications are to a minimum.

Large heart attacks that involve a large portion of heart tissue can cause problems like:  low blood pressure, shock, or heart failure because the heart’s ability to pump blood is reduced.  Recovery is typically longer in such cases and complications are at a higher potential of happening or death can occur.

Until the are of damage heals, the dead heart muscle is soft/weak and rupture of the heart wall can occur.  This usually results in death.  The normal rhythm of your heartbeat can change during a heart attack.  These rhythm abnormalities can be very serious and cause death if not treated promptly.

With prompt and effective treatment of a myocardial infarction, most potential complications can be avoided, and the mortality rate can be reduced dramatically.

Recovery for a heart attack:

In years past, hospitalization was often prolonged, lasting 3 to 4 weeks.  Today, hospitalization following a heart attack is usually brief in the absence of complications.  Often patients are home within 4 to 5 days or sooner.  Activities will be restricted for a few weeks to allow the healing process to occur.  The damage to the heart tissue will usually heal in 4 to 8 weeks.  The heart forms a scar tissue that is permanent; just like what would happen if any other tissue of the body suffered damage. (ex. You cut yourself with a knife damaging your skin (which is tissue and a organ of the body, than get stitches by the doctor which heal on their own in time  and  a scar in that area remains for life).  The same thing occurs to the heart in a MI.

Many patients will participate in a formal cardiac rehabilitation program.  These pro- grams typically focus on exercise and other lifestyle changes in order to speed recovery, and to fight the coronary artery disease that originally caused the heart attack.  Cardiac rehabilitation is so vital, it helps people to resume normal activity to their optimal level as quickly as possible with whatever adjustments they needed to make in their life to prevent this from happening again whether it be diet, exercise balanced with rest, and medications to take (new or adjustments in doses) or all 3.

Being overweight and obesity are major risk factors for many chronic diseases for South Dakotans of all ages. When people are overweight or obese, they have more health problems and more serious health problems, in addition to higher health care costs.

Mike Rounds (November 2, 2002 to elect a Governor of South Dakota . Republican nominee Mike Rounds was elected, defeating Democratic nominee Jim Abbott

For so many years America has been warned about being overweight/unhealthy but still today the majority of Americans (all age groups) are obese, up to 2/3 of our country. To the point it affects society in the U.S. that even our politicians have to ban certain drinks or foods to the public since many can’t take the better choice on their own for the healthier moves which is taking foods/drinks that are high in sugar or fat or calories in moderation or even occasionally. Instead our society goes the less healthier direction that causes many cardiac (CAD, blockages in the vessels), endocrine (Diabetes II) with many other diseases as a ending result, in time. No matter if you are in a high or low income bracket there are affordable foods that you can have in your diet with gradually increasing to 30 minutes of exercise daily or every other day in your life, of course in time. It’s just like watching TV, you just have to fit it in your life and in time it will become a regular part of your activities of daily living with not making you feel as if this is a burden but routine. If you want to live a longer life, help decrease disease in our country then make a move whether young, mid-age or even older. It is like a wound that our society over generations allowed to happen, in time. The ending result is 2/3 of our country is obese, do we want to continue making this wound larger. We already have caused a large number of obesity but like all wounds, time heals all wounds (if not completely than to a degree and in America the case is a large one). We are now in a technology that knows what foods high in fat, high in sugar, high in carbohydrates, high in calories on a daily basis in all yours meals can cause which is obesity as the ending result.   We are a stronger nation in all colors, races, ages, and sexes with knowing the knowledge of what to do.  Do you want a better fit body or even an overall healthier family including grandchildren and even our country than take the action NOW. For your goal in playing a part in living healthier and spreading the good news. Also, for the next decade & generation to be healthier will help Americans holistically in their lives all around (including our health care showing a spread of disease in lower percentage due to healthier dieting and activity choices by our people, who are so important in helping to decide where the health of the present and future of the US citizens lie. Should it take our government to make a move (finally after so many years)? I know I wouldn’t want them making the last move in our society and if you want to take part in joining me (at almost 50 y/o) than go to healthyusa.tsfl.com and be a part of making our home a healthy USA.

“Let both sides seek to invoke the wonders of science instead of its terrors. Together let us explore the stars, conquer the deserts, eradicate disease, tap the ocean depths, and encourage the arts and commerce.”

John F. Kennedy ((May 29, 1917 – November 22, 1963 35^th President of the U.S.)

We live for generations relying more on treatment versus prevention (secondary versus primary care).  Yes we have drastically improved in the health care system leaning more to primary through further research and technology.  Also, we have advanced in practicing prevention to some degree; that would be regarding certain illnesses/disease but the society in our nation is still too high on being the ones relying on treatment rather than prevention.  Adults alone are 65% obese which is a main cause for certain diseases remaining on the rise in this country.  These diseases are still on the rise due to some of our cultural eating habits in our homes.  For American culture that includes the restaurant industry and social acceptance of the do’s and don’ts in our communities.  Out of homes in America we are exposed to fast foods, lack of allowing kids to play in a baseball fields with safe/ responsible adults because they don’t have a permit, no desire to be active due to being in the computer too many hours or even watching TV instead of 30 to 60 minutes of exercise squeezed in our daily schedules somewhere.  Due to this behavior we inflict on ourselves either increasing risks of or the cause of or worsening of diseases or illnesses in American citizens or any citizen in some country who lives the same life style; ending line its due to the diet or the poor health habits practiced in the individual’s life.  If you and others knew in our country the baby steps in becoming healthier NOW not tomorrow it would benefit your health and your life line extending it dramatically, especially if you start in your younger years with no illness/disease or very little.  You’ve heard the line I’ll start next month with next month never happening or this will be my New Year’s resolution on Christmas and it’s already forgotten on Jan. 1st.  Unfortunately a lot end up with the poor health due to their sedentary life style being their diet and poor healthy habits.  Don’t put it off anymore, take the first step, and increase the changes you need to a better mind and body.  Join me with others in learning healthy habits.   Prevent the following diseases that obesity alone can cause, which are: 

1. High Blood Pressure–High blood pressure is the primary cause of death among Americans older than 25. About 75 million people suffer from high blood pressure or hypertension, which is a major risk factor for heart disease. Blood pressure tends to increase with weight gain and age. It is not known why obesity is a major cause of high blood pressure. However, research has shown that obese patients displayed an increase in blood volume and arterial resistance causing more stress to the heart. For people who are overweight and have high blood pressure, losing as little as 8 pounds can help reduce blood pressure to a safe level.
2. Diabetes–Obesity is considered one of the most significant factors in the development of insulin resistance, and insulin resistance can lead to type 2 diabetes. According to the World Health Organization, more than 90 percent of diabetes patients worldwide have type 2 diabetes. Being overweight or obese contributes to the development of diabetes by making cells more resistant to the effects of insulin. A weight loss of 15-20 pounds can help you decrease your risk of developing type 2 diabetes 
3. Heart Disease — According to the American Heart Association, obesity is a major risk factor for developing coronary heart disease, which can lead to a heart attack or stroke. People who are overweight are at a greater risk of suffering a heart attack before the age of 45.  Obese adolescents have a greater chance of having a heart attack before the age of 35 than non-obese adolescents. If you are overweight, losing 10-15 pounds can reduce your risk of developing heart disease. If you exercise regularly, the risk of developing heart disease falls even more.
4. High Cholesterol levels — High cholesterol is one of the leading causes of heart attacks. Cholesterol is transported through your blood in two ways: the low density lipoprotein (LDL), which transports cholesterol to the cells that need it, and the high density lipoprotein (HDL), which is the healthy cholesterol that reduces your risk for heart attack. Having high LDL levels raises your risk of having heart disease by 20 percent. Losing 11-20 pounds can help you significantly reduce your cholesterol level.
5. Cancer — A study by the American Heart Association found that being overweight increases your chances for developing cancer by 50 percent. Women have a higher risk of developing cancer if they are more than 20 pounds overweight. Regular exercise and a weight loss of as little as 12 pounds can significantly decrease the risk.
6. Infertility — Being obese can cause changes in the hormonal levels of women, which can result in ovarian failure. Women who are 15-25 pounds overweight are at a higher risk of suffering from infertility and ovarian cancer. Our bodies need to be at an appropriate weight to produce the right amount of hormones and regulate ovulation and menstruation. Don’t think men are immune to infertility. Overweight men have a greater chance of developing motility and a lower sperm count. Shedding 12-14 pounds can help you lower the risks.
7. Back Pain — Obesity is one the contributing factors of back and joint pain. Excessive weight can cause injury to the most vulnerable parts of the spine, which carries the body’s weight. When it has to carry excess weight, the odds of suffering from a spinal injury or structural damage increase. Being overweight also raises the risk of developing osteoporosis, lower back pain, arthritis, and osteoarthritis. Losing 10-15 pounds can help you decrease the risk of developing these problems.
8. Skin Ulcers & leading to infected ulcers — Obese and overweight individuals may have skin that folds over on itself. These creased areas can become irritated from the rubbing and sweating, which can cause alteration in the skin from a rash first forming to an actual ulcer of the skin occuring that can lead to ulcer skin infections (local infections) that can go further into systemic infections (which is an infection throughout the circulatory system).
9. Gastric Ulcers — According to a study by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), obesity can be a contributing factor to the development of gastric ulcers. Gastric ulcers occur when there is an imbalance between the amount of hydrochloric acid that is secreted and the enzyme pepsin. Overweight men are at a greater risk of developing gastric ulcers than women. A weight loss of as little as 7 pounds can help reduce the risk.
10. Gallstones — Being severely overweight increases the risk of developing gallstones, especially in women. Gallstones are caused when the liver releases excessive amounts of bile, which is stored in the gallbladder. Gallstones are more common in older women and those with a family history of gallstones. Losing 4-9 pounds reduces the risk of developing gallstones. Moderate exercise also can help lower your risk.

If you suffer from type 2 diabetes or pre-diabetes, cardiac disease including high blood pressure or cholesterol and need to lose weight I can help you manage the disease through nutrition and fitness education including behavior modification.  You will  learn healthy habits that will help you lose weight through Dr. Anderson and me as your health coach for direction .   My blog healthierusa.tsfl.com can help people with diseases that are inflicted or impacted by obesity.  I can assist you in losing weight that only benefits you with the diseases I have mentioned in both prevention or in helping you take care of it with whatever your doctor prescribes (if needed).  Take the right step in moving towards a healthier, happier and even longer lifestyle.  Take a peek at my website healthierusa.tsfl.com at no price, no hacking, just seeing what can you do in making the choices you want to becoming healthy, at your pace.  I hope you like myself and so many others take the step in reaching a healthier body and spread the news to make America overall a healthier country.  It is recommended anyone with a disease or illness to first check with your doctor for clearance before doing any diet or activity changes you plan to add to your life to prevent injury.

References

American Heart Association, National Institutes of Health, mediweightlossclinics.com and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“This paradox may be attributable in part to high wine consumption. Epidemiological studies indicate that consumption of alcohol at the level of intake in France (20-30 g per day) can reduce risk of CH D by at least 40%. Alcohol is believed to protect from CH D by preventing atherosclerosis through the action of high-density-lipoprotein cholesterol, but serum concentrations of this factor are no higher in France than in other countries”

• S. Renaud, PhD,
• M. de Lorgeril, MD

At least four complex processes, alone or combined, can lead to diabetic heart disease (DHD). They include coronary atherosclerosis; metabolic syndrome; insulin resistance in people who have type 2 diabetes; and the interaction of coronary heart disease (CHD), high blood pressure, and diabetes .

Researchers continue to study these processes because all of the details aren’t yet known.

Coronary Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is a disease in which plaque builds up inside the arteries. The exact cause of atherosclerosis isn’t known. However, studies show that it is a slow, complex disease that may start in childhood. The disease develops faster as you age.

Coronary atherosclerosis may start when certain factors damage the inner layers of the coronary (heart) arteries. These factors include:

• Smoking
• High amounts of certain fats and cholesterol in the blood
• High blood pressure
• High amounts of sugar in the blood due to insulin resistance or diabetes

Plaque may begin to build up where the arteries are damaged. Over time, plaque hardens and narrows the arteries. This reduces the flow of oxygen-rich blood to your heart muscle.

Eventually, an area of plaque can rupture (break open). When this happens, blood cell fragments called platelets (PLATE-lets) stick to the site of the injury. They may clump together to form blood clots.

Blood clots narrow the coronary arteries even more. This limits the flow of oxygen-rich blood to your heart and may worsen angina (chest pain) or cause a heart attack.

Metabolic Syndrome

Metabolic syndrome is the name for a group of risk factors that raises your risk of both CHD and type 2 diabetes.

If you have three or more of the five metabolic risk factors, you have metabolic syndrome. The risk factors are:

• A large waistline (a waist measurement of 35 inches or more for women and 40 inches or more for men).
• A high triglyceride (tri-GLIH-seh-ride) level (or you’re on medicine to treat high triglycerides). Triglycerides are a type of fat found in the blood.
• A low HDL cholesterol level (or you’re on medicine to treat low HDL cholesterol). HDL sometimes is called “good” cholesterol. This is because it helps remove cholesterol from your arteries.
• High blood pressure (or you’re on medicine to treat high blood pressure).
• A high fasting blood sugar level (or you’re on medicine to treat high blood sugar).

It’s unclear whether these risk factors have a common cause or are mainly related by their combined effects on the heart.

Obesity seems to set the stage for metabolic syndrome. Obesity can cause harmful changes in body fats and how the body uses insulin.

Chronic (ongoing) inflammation also may occur in people who have metabolic syndrome. Inflammation is the body’s response to illness or injury. It may raise your risk of CHD and heart attack. Inflammation also may contribute to or worsen metabolic syndrome.

Research is ongoing to learn more about metabolic syndrome and how metabolic risk factors interact.

Insulin Resistance in People Who Have Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes usually begins with insulin resistance. Insulin resistance means that the body can’t properly use the insulin it makes.

People who have type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance have higher levels of substances in the blood that cause blood clots. Blood clots can block the coronary arteries and cause a heart attack or even death.

The Interaction of Coronary Heart Disease, High Blood Pressure, and Diabetes

Each of these risk factors alone can damage the heart. CHD reduces the flow of oxygen-rich blood to your heart muscle. High blood pressure and diabetes may cause harmful changes in the structure and function of the heart.

Having CHD, high blood pressure, and diabetes is even more harmful to the heart. Together, these conditions can severely damage the heart muscle. As a result, the heart has to work harder than normal. Over time, the heart weakens and isn’t able to pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs. This condition is called heart failure.

As the heart weakens, the body may release proteins and other substances into the blood. These proteins and substances also can harm the heart and worsen heart failure

“The medical literature tells us that the most effective ways to reduce the risk of heart disease, cancer, stroke, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, and many more problems are through healthy diet and exercise. Our bodies have evolved to move, yet we now use the energy in oil instead of muscles to do our work.”

David Suzuki (born March 24, 1936) is a Japanese Canadian academic, science broadcaster and environmental activist.

2 – Arteriosclerosis or Atherosclerosis both = CAD (Coronary Artery Disease).  This is a common disorder, typically affecting men over age 50 and women as well but possibly earlier. People are at higher risk if they have a personal or family history of coronary artery disease (heart disease) or cerebrovascular disease (stroke), diabetes, smoking, hypertension (high blood pressure), or kidney disease involving hemodialysis.   Than live healthy if you want to live longer and not get these risks or even if you do have them already than be compliant in reaching your optimal level of health with the disease. If no history and not diagnosed yet with any of these but want to prevent it live healthy, if you’re not. Arteriosclerosis is hardening of the arteries, which occurs with aging (wear and tear from also practicing bad habits that takes over years allowing this to form not just due to age; that’s why most books state it happens later in life. As opposed to adults not too many with cardiac disease young). Atherosclerosis is a form of arteriosclerosis but this is the lipid related arterial lesion, is the major disease responsible for the principle clinical complications = BLOCKAGE in the arteries. Definitely affected if already with high cholesterol and fats in the diet and of course smoking from tar build up in the vessel. Over time CAD can weaken the heart muscle also causing the heart to go into decompensation causing symptoms of chest pain=angina to even a heart attack. This may lead to heart failure, a serious condition where the heart can’t pump blood the way that it should. Even an irregular heartbeat, or arrhythmia, can also develop that if it gets worse could lead into cardiac arrest. The CDC states under CHF (congestive heart failure) “Diseases that damage your heart—including coronary heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes—are common causes of heart failure. Smoking; being overweight; eating foods high in fat, cholesterol, and sodium; and physical inactivity also increase your risk of developing heart failure.” Let’s wake up America with health and practicing good habits to decrease your risk of developing these diseases.

High Cholesterol levels — High cholesterol is one of the leading causes of heart attacks. Cholesterol is transported through your blood in two ways: the low density lipoprotein (LDL), which transports cholesterol to the cells that need it, and the high density lipoprotein (HDL), which is the healthy cholesterol that reduces your risk for heart attack. Having high LDL levels raises your risk of having heart disease by 20%. Losing 11-20 pounds can help you significantly reduce your cholesterol level so you prevent blockage from occurring preventing heart attack and atherosclerosis.  

A sedentary lifestyle and lifetime lack of exercise seems to be major contributing factors for getting arteriosclerosis and heart-disease onset; see how they all interrelate with one causing another people.

Starting to get it? That based on how healthy you live in many cases is the determining factor of how you turn out regarding disease, but there are non-modifiable risk factors to disease (not controllable) = 1.) Age 2.) Sex (Ex. A higher amount of cases with HTN are males vs. females).        3. Race (Ex. African American have a higher count in HTN than Caucasian)  4. Heredity.

Modifiable Risk Factors (things you can change that effect diseases) = 1- weight 2- smoking           3 – living conditions 4 – diet 5 – The health & unhealthy habits you practice.

How to prevent these cardiac conditions all listed above, don’t live the type of life that’s unhealthy, at least on a regular basis (if at all occasionally live unhealthy – Ex. eating fast foods) to decrease the chances of developing these cardiac conditions that are high in America now and have been for several years. Need help and guidance in how to go about this; then you are on the right website. The answer to prevention or treatment of cardiac disease is in changing or modifying your diet, if it’s unhealthy 100% or just partially. The answer includes exercise (from just walking fast or if you like working out, even better) and if needed medication your doctor will decide that, particularly cardiac – the specialist for this area. All these changes can modify your blood lipid profile = cholesterol control, which helps increasing your heart to a better tolerance with activity, stress and simply functioning. Recommended is going to a cardiologist for people diagnosed with heart conditions or your general practitioner with any illness/disease before making changes to help guide you towards the right choices. Your doctor can help you in determining which prevention or treatment plan is best for you.

Bad Foods high in cholesterol too avoid = Fast foods, whole fat dairy products = milk/cheese/ butter/mayonnaise/bacon/processed deli meats/salad dressings/shortening.

The key is to living a healthy life overall. This consists of diet, exercise or activity and healthy habits learned and practiced routinely in your life that will help prevent or assist you in treating cardiac disease. The better we treat ourselves regarding health the higher the odds we will live a longer life. It is pretty simple. There is not just one food to eat or one type of exercise to do or one healthy habit to keep you healthy, there are choices. Come onto my website which is no fee, no charge, no hacking, just letting you check us out to look further in understanding how to take a shape for your life with Dr. Anderson and even myself as your personal health coach in helping you learn what healthier habits or changes you want for a healthier way of living. It allows you to make all the decisions in what you want to do regarding what to eat (diet) using the 4 food groups, what to do as exercise/activity, and what healthy habits you want to add in your life, that you may not be doing at this time. We just provide the information and healthy foods in your diet, and you decide if you want it. You make all the choices. Wouldn’t you want less disease/illness for yourself and for others throughout the nation including the future generations? Thank you for taking the time to read my article to how we can help you get healthier and make a healthier USA. Click onto healthyusa.tsfl.com and I hope to hear from you soon.

“I saw many people who had advanced heart disease and I was so frustrated because I knew if they just knew how to do the right thing, simple lifestyle and diet steps, that the entire trajectory of their life and health would have been different.”

Dr. Mehmet Oz (cardiothoracic surgeon & The host of The Dr. Oz Show)