What are Cardiovascular Diseases?

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the #1 cause of death in the world. In 2012, WHO estimates that 17.5 million people died of CVDs – that’s 31% of global mortality! CVDs are often left undetected because many people refuse to do something as simple as going to get checked out.

What are cardiovascular diseases?(CVD)

When cardiovascular diseases are mentioned, most people immediately think of heart attacks, but that’s just an acute event. A CVD is a condition where the heart cannot perform its job properly, and they include cardiomyopathy, coronary artery disease, and arrhythmia. Such conditions can prevent blood from reaching the brain, which can cause brain damage and even be fatal. 

 

Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Diseases

It’s like we’ve been told for years – an unhealthy diet, lack of exercise, tobacco use, alcohol abuse, as well as having genetic inclinations, are all risk factors for heart problems like CVDs. In extreme cases, they could also be a result of hypertension. 

 

 What are the Main Cardiovascular Diseases?  

Many heart diseases are left undiagnosed until the patient suffers a heart attack or stroke. Here is a list of the major CVDs and their symptoms: 

 

Clogged Arteries: When fat and cholesterol build up in your arteries, it forms a sticky barrier called “plaque,” which can restrict and even stop blood flow through those arteries. Clogged arteries often go unnoticed until a person suffers a heart attack. However, if you’re suffering from frequent chest pains (angina), you might be showing signs of a coronary arterial disease. 

 

Heart Attack: When a buildup of plaque breaks, it can cause a blood clot to form. If that clot blocks an artery, it chokes the blood supply to that area in your heart. Without blood, your heart doesn’t get the oxygen it needs to function, which can quickly damage the tissue in that area. The more extensive the damage, the more life-threatening it can be. 

 

The primary symptoms of a heart attack are: 

 

A feeling of discomfort that spreads to your arm, back, jaw, or throat 

 

Pain or pressure in your chest (more common in men) 

 

Fast or irregular heartbeats 

 

Weakness, shortness of breath, anxiety (more common in women) 

 

Nausea, heartburn, or indigestion (more common in women)​ 

 

Even if the symptoms are mild, it can be a serious medical emergency, so seek help immediately. (How to perform CPR)

Arrhythmia (Irregular Heartbeat): The heart is a biological machine that uses electrical impulses to work. Your heartbeat can slow down, quiver, or speed up if those impulses become erratic. If the arrhythmia is temporary, it poses no danger to your health, but regular arrhythmia affects your blood flow, which can be detrimental to your health. If you notice that your ticker is acting funny, talk to your doctor. ​ 

 

Cardiomyopathy (Heart Muscle Disease): Your heart is a muscle, and if it becomes weak for any reason, it starts struggling to pump blood to the rest of your body. Cardiomyopathy can be caused by diabetes, obesity, and high blood pressure, amongst other things, and can lead to heart failure. 

 

Heart Failure: This does not mean that your heart stopped working, but rather that it is too weak to send enough blood to the rest of your body. To compensate, the heart grows in size and the rhythm increases, but it also weakens the muscle and lowers the blood flow even more, which eventually makes the problem even worse.

Congenital Heart Defects: The heart is comprised of four chambers, each separated by valves that regulate blood flow through it. Some people are born with a leaky valve, or the walls that separate each chamber might be damaged. Defects can lead to arrhythmia, infection of the valves, and heart failure. Congenital heart defects can often remain undiagnosed until adulthood, and not all of them require treatment. Severe cases will call for surgical intervention or medication.

Sudden Cardiac Death: Unlike a heart attack, in this case, your heart’s electrical system goes on the fritz, which causes your heart to beat irregularly and very fast. In this situation, instead of pumping blood, the heart basically shakes and quivers. 

 

A person suffering from sudden cardiac death can die in minutes, but getting CPR can often save them, so call the EMTs immediately and start performing CPR on them. 

 

Testing for CVDs

EKG: Electrocardiogram is a painless test where the doctor places electrodes on your skin for a few minutes to measure your heart’s electrical activity. An EKG can also determine if you’re having a heart attack or have had one in the past, as well as determine the regularity of your heartbeat. 

 

Stress test: For this, you use a treadmill or stationary bike in a progressive workout while your heart is being monitored by an EKG. This will tell doctors how your heart works under stress. ​ 

 

Holter monitor: If your doctor suspects that your heart might be skipping a beat here and there, he’ll give you a Holter monitor to wear throughout the day. This device constantly measures the electrical activity of your heart to give your doctor more comprehensive data. 

 

 X-rays: By taking an X-ray of your chest, doctors can tell if your heart has an irregular shape or size. 

 

Echocardiogram: This is an ultrasound for your heart, and it shows your heart’s activity in real time, allowing doctors to spot possible issues with your pump. 

 

Cardiac CT: Cardiac computerized tomography takes detailed X-rays of your heart and blood vessels. This helps doctors find plaque or calcium buildups in your arteries, as well as valve problems and more. 

 

Cardiac Catheterization: A tiny tube is inserted into a blood vessel that leads to your heart, and the doctor then injects a dye into it, making any blockages visible on X-ray. 

 

Life with a Heart Disease 

Most heart diseases are long-lasting, and can sometimes be asymptomatic for years, but if left untreated – they will get progressively worse.

Once your disease has been diagnosed, it’s possible that your whole lifestyle will change. You may need to start taking pills daily to control your cholesterol, blood pressure, rhythm, heart rate, and for clot prevention. 

 

If you suffer from a blocked artery, you may need to go through surgical intervention to unblock it. Angioplasty is an operation where a doctor guides a catheter with a balloon into the blocked artery. When it reaches the blockage, the balloon is filled with air, opening the blockage. Your surgeon may also put in a small mesh tube to keep the artery open

More severe cases will call for bypass surgery, which involves taking a blood vessel from another part of your body and using it to replace the damaged blood vessel, thereby “bypassing” it. 

 

Whether you’ve been diagnosed with or treated for CVD, get on a cardiac rehab program. Specialists will help you with nutrition, exercises, and emotional support to help you get back on track.

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.   

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New Nasal Spray May Treat Rapid Heartbeat Condition

A nasal spray could soon provide quick relief for people experiencing sudden, rapid heartbeats. This innovative treatment is being developed by researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, and may eliminate the need for patients to seek urgent medical treatment at the start of their symptoms. 

 

People with Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT) experience sudden, rapid heart rate spikes due to extra electrical pathways connecting the upper and lower heart chambers. In PSVT, the heart's lower chambers briefly beat faster than 100 times per minute. 

 

Though generally not life-threatening, this condition can significantly impact one's quality of life, manifesting itself in symptoms like fainting, light-headedness, shortness of breath, dizziness, and heart palpitations. It's important to note that this condition can emerge at any stage of life and may be connected to diverse underlying factors, such as anxiety, cardiomyopathy, and pneumonia. 

 

As per the National Library of Medicine, this condition impacts a significant portion of the United States population, and is expected to affect nearly 7 million people by the year 2050.

Developing a safe and user-friendly first-line treatment for PSVT has been a longstanding objective in medical research. Presently, treatment options typically revolve around addressing the underlying causes of PSVT. This may involve prescribing beta blockers for cases linked to hyperthyroidism or utilizing surgical or catheter procedures to correct abnormal heart tissue.

In milder cases, doctors may employ vagal maneuvers, a set of techniques that includes applying abdominal pressure, executing "bearing down" motions, and gently manipulating the carotid artery to soothe the vagus nerve. 

 

New Research Shows Promising Results 

 

In the latest research, published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, the research team built upon a prior randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial involving etripamil. Etripamil, administered in nasal spray form, functions as a calcium channel blocker, similar to intravenous medications administered in hospitals. This medicine prevents calcium from entering heart and artery cells, causing relaxation and dilatation and, as a result, slowing the heart rate.

The nasal spray, which is suitable for on-the-go use and can be stored at room temperature, can be self-administered by individuals when necessary. Each cartridge has two doses and it is advised to administer one shot into each nostril. If the first dose fails to lower the heart rate, the second dose can be administered, as per the researchers. 

 

A study published in the journal Circulation: Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology last year concluded that self-administered etripamil is a reliable and efficient treatment option for PSVT episodes. Approximately 55 percent of patients successfully reverted to their normal heart rhythms within 30 minutes of taking etripamil, while only 35 percent experienced the same improvement with a placebo.

The most recent research examined how individuals would fare when using the drug in a practical setting, where they used it as needed, obtained refills, and reused it when their subsequent episodes occurred. Among the 169 participants who took part, 105 independently administered at least a single dose of etripamil over the study's duration, accounting for a combined total of 188 occurrences. Forty people were treated in two separate episodes. 

 

Among these, etripamil successfully reinstated regular heart rhythms within 30 minutes in approximately 60% of cases and within an hour in roughly 75% of cases. In the group that administered it twice, 63% regained normal heart rhythms within 30 minutes. However, approximately 25% of these individuals did not respond to the medication during either episode.

Future of Rapid Heartbeat Treatment 

While this study offers promise, it's important to recognize that more work, including subsequent research and eventual approval from the FDA, is necessary before this drug can be considered suitable for public use. 

 

Currently, researchers are evaluating the nasal spray's effectiveness in treating children's heart ailments as well as other heart conditions, such as atrial fibrillation, which occurs when the upper chambers of the heart beat rapidly and irregularly.

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.   

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5 Causes of Heart Failure All Young People Should Know

If you’re under the impression that heart failure is something that only affects older adults, we have some important intel to share: Heart failure—a chronic condition where the heart becomes unable to sufficiently pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs, causing symptoms like shortness of breath, heart palpitations, swelling in the extremities, and fatigue, among others—can occur in people of all ages, even children. It is estimated that more than 6.2 million people aged 20 years and older in the United States are living with heart failure. While the condition is definitely more common in people 65 and older, research shows that heart-failure-related deaths in young adults aged 16 to 44 actually increased from 2012 to 2019.

Heart failure may occur at a younger age for a number of reasons, such as inherited heart disease or problems with the heart’s rhythm. Other factors, including a family history of heart failure, the foods you eat, substance use, some viral infections, and certain chronic health conditions can all increase your risk for developing heart failure, no matter your age.

Here are five of the most common causes of heart failure in young people.

1. Congenital heart disease

If someone has congenital heart disease, it means they were born with a problem with their heart’s structure. Thanks to advances in medicine and surgery, people with congenital heart disease can live long, fulfilling lives. But having a heart defect from birth can put you at a higher risk of heart failure throughout your lifetime, since stress and damage to the organ can start earlier than in someone born with a totally healthy heart.

“Heart failure accounts for about 40% of all deaths in people with congenital heart disease,” William H. Marshall, MD, an adult congenital heart disease fellow at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, tells SELF.That doesn’t mean everyone with congenital heart disease will experience heart failure, though: Some cases of congenital heart disease are so minor they don’t even require treatment—just regular check-ins with a cardiologist to make sure the condition doesn’t progress or worsen, according to the American Heart Association (AHA).

But some of the more severe forms of congenital heart disease can cause heart failure. In fact, among adults with complex forms of congenital heart disease, heart failure is the most common complication. “Therefore, lifelong follow-up with a cardiologist who specializes in the care of people with congenital heart disease is important,” Dr. Marshall says.

2. Genetic or familial cardiomyopathy

“Genetic or familial cardiomyopathy is an inherited disease that is characterized by an enlarged, weak, or thickened heart and may result in heart failure at a young age,” Tanya P. Doctorian, MD, a heart failure and transplant specialist at Loma Linda University International Heart Institute, tells SELF. There are multiple forms of cardiomyopathy, which causes the heart muscle to become thicker, stiffer, or larger, ultimately making it harder for it to pump blood throughout the body. Over time, this may lead to heart failure.

There are also multiple types of familial cardiomyopathies—hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is the most common and affects somewhere around 1 in 500 adults in the United States. Cardiomyopathy symptoms can include shortness of breath, fatigue, and an irregular heartbeat, among others. They often appear in mid-adulthood, but they can happen earlier too.

Experts have pinpointed some of the genes connected with familial cardiomyopathy, but others are still being researched. To prevent people from going undiagnosed and progressing to heart failure, the American College of Cardiology recommends any first-degree relative of a person with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy be screened starting at age 12.

Meanwhile, methamphetamine use can cause various forms of heart damage, including inflammation, heart muscle scarring, coronary artery disease, and damage to the heart muscle cells, which can then lead to heart failure. Typically, the longer someone uses, the more damage their heart will sustain, Dr. Doctorian says. Prolonged methamphetamine use has been associated with a severe form of dilated cardiomyopathy, where the heart muscle becomes weak and can’t pump blood as effectively. Research shows that people who use methamphetamine experience heart disease at increased intensity and younger ages than is typical among the population at large.

5. Arrhythmia

An arrhythmia is an abnormal heart rhythm. According to the AHA, it can cause the heartbeat to be too slow, too fast, or even erratic, where the heart feels like it’s fluttering or skipping a beat. While some arrhythmias are considered harmless and may not need to be treated, others can have a significant impact on the heart’s ability to fill up with blood and pump it to the rest of the body, the AHA says. When this disruption to the heart’s rhythm is left untreated, eventually heart failure and other cardiac problems can occur, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. 

“The rhythm of the heart may become too fast, and because the heart is beating fast all the time, eventually the cardiac muscle tires and becomes dysfunctional, and then heart failure can happen,” Lourdes Prieto, MD, the director of the division of cardiology at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital in Miami, tells SELF.

“We can see arrhythmia in babies, but it can also be seen in young adults and 40- and 50-year-olds,” Dr. Prieto notes, adding that an arrhythmia is more likely to lead to heart failure in people who have additional underlying structural heart problems, like congenital heart disease or cardiomyopathy. Luckily, most arrhythmias can be managed with medication and lifestyle modifications, ultimately reducing your risk for heart failure and other cardiac issues now and as you get older.

If you have a family history or medical condition that predisposes you to heart failure at an early age, that doesn’t mean it’s absolutely going to happen to you. Talk to your doctor about how regular screening, lifestyle changes, and treatment (if it’s appropriate) can help you keep tabs on your ticker and make sure it’s in it for the long haul.

“We’re making more diagnoses of genetic cardiomyopathy because of the easy ability to obtain genetic screening for family members with it,” Marc Goldschmidt, MD, director of the Heart Failure and Cardiomyopathy Center at the Stony Brook Heart Institute, tells SELF. This means doctors can catch—and treat—heart failure, or damage to the heart that could lead to heart failure, earlier.

3. Peripartum cardiomyopathy 

Peripartum cardiomyopathy is a rare form of cardiomyopathy that occurs sometime within the last month of pregnancy and the first five months after giving birth, according to the AHA. When someone develops the condition, the heart becomes weak and enlarged. It doesn’t pump blood as well as it should and can lead to heart failure.

Peripartum cardiomyopathy can be tricky to diagnose because many of its symptoms, like fatigue and swollen ankles, mimic typical pregnancy symptoms.⁶ The underlying cause is also unclear, the AHA notes. Many people recover completely from it, while others experience lasting complications.

“While somewhere between 50% and 80% of people’s hearts completely recover, many continue to have impaired heart function and are at risk for worsening heart failure,” Dr. Marshall says. Some people who experience peripartum cardiomyopathy are also at an increased risk of experiencing the condition again in other pregnancies. Dr. Doctorian notes that the safety of a subsequent pregnancy depends primarily upon whether the heart function has fully recovered or not beforehand.

4. Substance use

“Among young people coming to the hospital with heart failure, I commonly see substance use as the cause—especially heavy alcohol or methamphetamine use,” Dr. Doctorian says.⁷ Other illicit drugs like cocaine can also impact the heart muscle and lead to heart failure with continued use.⁸ The way substance use contributes to heart failure is a bit different depending on the type of substance. 

Heavy alcohol consumption, such as frequent binge drinking or drinking about six or more drinks each day for five years or more, can lead to alcohol-induced cardiomyopathy, where the heart becomes enlarged. This can weaken the heart muscle, impact its ability to pump blood, and potentially contribute to heart failure and other serious problems. Some people may recover from alcohol-induced cardiomyopathy by fully abstaining, but others may need to take medication or even have surgery to repair heart valves or insert a pacemaker or another type of implantable device, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

Meanwhile, methamphetamine use can cause various forms of heart damage, including inflammation, heart muscle scarring, coronary artery disease, and damage to the heart muscle cells, which can then lead to heart failure. Typically, the longer someone uses, the more damage their heart will sustain, Dr. Doctorian says. Prolonged methamphetamine use has been associated with a severe form of dilated cardiomyopathy, where the heart muscle becomes weak and can’t pump blood as effectively.⁹ Research shows that people who use methamphetamine experience heart disease at increased intensity and younger ages than is typical among the population at large.⁹

5. Arrhythmia

An arrhythmia is an abnormal heart rhythm. According to the AHA, it can cause the heartbeat to be too slow, too fast, or even erratic, where the heart feels like it’s fluttering or skipping a beat. While some arrhythmias are considered harmless and may not need to be treated, others can have a significant impact on the heart’s ability to fill up with blood and pump it to the rest of the body, the AHA says. When this disruption to the heart’s rhythm is left untreated, eventually heart failure and other cardiac problems can occur, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. 

“The rhythm of the heart may become too fast, and because the heart is beating fast all the time, eventually the cardiac muscle tires and becomes dysfunctional, and then heart failure can happen,” Lourdes Prieto, MD, the director of the division of cardiology at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital in Miami, tells SELF.

“We can see arrhythmia in babies, but it can also be seen in young adults and 40- and 50-year-olds,” Dr. Prieto notes, adding that an arrhythmia is more likely to lead to heart failure in people who have additional underlying structural heart problems, like congenital heart disease or cardiomyopathy. Luckily, most arrhythmias can be managed with medication and lifestyle modifications, ultimately reducing your risk for heart failure and other cardiac issues now and as you get older.

If you have a family history or medical condition that predisposes you to heart failure at an early age, that doesn’t mean it’s absolutely going to happen to you. Talk to your doctor about how regular screening, lifestyle changes, and treatment (if it’s appropriate) can help you keep tabs on your ticker and make sure it’s in it for the long haul.

 

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.   

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The trio that can give you a healthy heart: Nuts, vitamins and minerals

A growing body of research has shown over time that diabetics are at a greater risk of cardiovascular diseases. But there’s good news for all of you suffering from uncontrolled blood sugar levels. A handful of nuts every day can protect your heart. A recent study published in the journal Circulation Research has revealed that diabetics who eat nuts regularly are less likely to develop heart diseases compared to those who don’t. While nuts provide many key proteins and nutrients to your body and strengthen your heart, here is a list of vitamins and minerals that promise to keep cardiovascular ailments at bay.
Magnesium
 
Being rich in magnesium, spinach can potentially help prevent problems like irregular heartbeat and endothelial dysfunction.

It is known as your body’s natural calcium channel blocker. This is because, it balances out the excess calcium that is linked to heart attack risk. Also, magnesium is required in the body for more than 300 enzymatic reactions, like those responsible for glycaemic control, regulating blood pressure, and lipid peroxidation. The deficiency of this mineral can lead to conditions including cardiac arrhythmias ( irregular heartbeat), endothelial dysfunction (a condition in which the inner lining of the small arteries fails to function normally), and hypertension. In fact, a study published in the journal Nutrients associates higher magnesium intake and lower risk of cardiovascular diseases. This heart-friendly mineral can even ward off migraine attack and depression.

Food sources: Black beans, kidney beans, chickpeas and nuts are loaded with magnesium. Green leafy vegetables like spinach and kale, fruits like banana, raspberries and avocado, and sea foods like salmon, tuna, and mackerel are also good options.

Potassium

Jam-packed with potassium, potatoes can regulate blood pressure levels and reduce your risk of cardiac arrest.

Too little potassium in your body can lead to cardiovascular diseases, a study published in the JCI 
Insight says. This essential mineral prevents vascular calcification (build-up of calcium in the smooth muscle cells within arteries), which hardens the arteries and causes cardiovascular problems. Potassium regulates blood pressure levels, keeps the heart rhythm steady and reduces your risk of cardiac arrest. However, taking too much of potassium intake can be fatal too. According to doctors, you should take 4.7 grams of potassium a day.

Food sources: Vegetables like potato, spinach, tomato, sweet potato, and zucchini are rich in potassium. Also, legumes and nuts including lentils, split peas, almonds, and soybeans are jam-packed with this essential mineral. You can also go for fruits like bananas, apricots, and oranges if you want to amp up your potassium intake.

Calcium

Dairy products including milk, cheese, and yogurt boost levels of good cholesterol by 7 per cent in the body and helps preventing cardiovascular diseases. 

This mineral can potentially lower blood pressure and improve the performance of your heart. Moreover, it helps in the contraction and relaxation of the cardiac muscles. In fact, calcium boosts levels of good cholesterol by 7 per cent in the body and helps in weight management. However, you must keep a check on your calcium intake as excess of this mineral can be dangerous. According to nutritionists, people under the age group of 19-50 should not take more than 2,500 mg of calcium per day while the figure is 2000 mg for those in the age bracket of 51-70.

Food sources: Dairy products like cheese, yogurt and milk are the best sources of calcium. Poppy, sesame, celery and chia seeds, beans and lentils are also good options. You can rely on almonds, spinach and kale for calcium.

Niacin

Mushrooms are rich in niacin and help reducing bad cholesterol levels in the body by 5 to 20 per cent. 

It is a form of vitamin B3, that has a plethora of health benefits. It helps lower your cholesterol levels, ease arthritis and boost brain function. Being water-soluble, niacin can be easily excreted from the body if taken in high quantity. It can reduce bad cholesterol levels by 5 to 20 per cent and increase your good cholesterol. According to The American Journal of Cardiology, niacin can help reduce oxidative stress and inflammation which play role in atherosclerosis (hardening of your arteries). 

Also, it protects insulin-creating cells in your pancreas and hence lower the risk of type 1 diabetes.
Food sources: Foods including avocado, brown rice, whole wheat, mushrooms, green peas, potatoes, salmon, and tuna are jam-packed with niacin.

Vitamin D

Being rich in vitamin D, salmon can reduce oxidative stress in the vascular system that is known for playing a crucial role in development of cardiovascular diseases.

Vitamin D is known to regulate your blood pressure and blood sugar levels. According to a study published in the International Journal of Nanomedicine, vitamin D significantly reduces oxidative stress (Imbalance between the production of free radicals and the ability of the body to detoxify their harmful effects) in the vascular system. Notably, oxidative stress plays a crucial role in development of cardiovascular diseases.

Food sources: Salmon, canned tuna, oysters, shrimp, egg yolks, mushrooms, and orange juice are rich in vitamin D.

this is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.     
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Transcendental Meditation technique helps prevent left ventricular hypertrophy

A randomized controlled study recently published in Ethnicity & Disease in their Autumn 2019 Hypertension issue found that the Transcendental Meditation (TM) technique helps to prevent abnormal enlargement of the heart compared to health education (HE) controls. Also known as left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), it can lead to chronic heart failure and death, and is especially prevalent among African Americans.

Risk factor for cardiovascular disease
Despite advances in medical care, cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in the USA. Abnormal enlargement of heart, medically known as left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), is an important risk factor for CVD. It doubles the risk of heart attacks, arrhythmias, stroke, heart failure, and death from CVD.

Heart disease death rates are significantly higher in African Americans than in whites, in part because the rate of LVH is double in African Americans compared to whites.

The disproportionately high rates are suggested to be associated with the burden of psychosocial stress.

A recent scientific statement from the American Heart Association emphasized the potential for stress-reduction methods to prevent heart disease and premature mortality in African Americans.
Prevention of further enlargement

The trial included 85 African Americans with high blood pressure who were randomly assigned to Transcendental Meditation or to a health education (HE) control group, in addition to usual medical care.

This trial tested the effects of stress-reducing meditation to prevent LVH in this high-risk population. It found that stress reduction with TM practice prevented heart enlargement in hypertensive African American patients.

After six months, the control group showed nearly 10% progression of abnormal heart enlargement while the TM group maintained their baseline level of heart size.

The findings of this study suggest that TM practice is an effective nondrug method for preventing heart enlargement in African American hypertensives who are especially at high risk of developing associated CVD.

This is a form of heart disease where nondrug treatments are relatively understudied. Since the physiology of stress contributes to cardiac enlargement, we hypothesized that managing one's mind-body connection with Transcendental Meditation might prevent the disease process."     Professor Robert Schneider, MD, FACC, first author

Use of echocardiography to detect hypertrophy

Echocardiography is a noninvasive diagnostic test that uses ultrasound waves to create an image of the heart muscle. Ultrasound waves that rebound or echo off the heart can show the size, shape, and movement of the heart's valves and chambers as well as the flow of blood through the heart. It can therefore be used to detect heart chamber or wall enlargement known as hypertrophy.
Echocardiography was issued at the start of the study to both TM and HE groups. After six months of practice, repeat testing with echocardiography found that the HE control group progressed on cardiac enlargement while the TM group showed prevention of enlargement. There was a significant change in left ventricle mass index (LVMI) between the groups after the six-month intervention.

11% reduced risk of cardiovascular mortality

Dr. Komal Marwaha, MD, PhD, an Associate Professor in the Department of Physiology and Health at Maharishi International University (formerly Maharishi University of Management), worked on this study as part of her PhD thesis. She said, "By preventing left ventricle mass index progression in the present study, TM may reduce the likelihood of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality associated with LVH. Devereux reported that every 23.5 gm/m2 increase in LVMI, increases the risk of cardiovascular mortality by 38% and all-cause mortality by 28%. Based on these findings, patients randomized to TM in the current study would have an 11% reduced risk of cardiovascular mortality and 8% reduced the risk of all-cause mortality compared with the control group."

Dr. Schneider, dean of MIU's College of Integrative Medicine, said these reductions are significant. "These results suggest that an effective technique for stress reduction may prevent the progression of left ventricular hypertrophy and thereby help to prevent premature heart disease and cardiac mortality."

Keith Norris, MD, PhD, Professor of Medicine at UCLA, and one of the study's co-authors, added: "We hope these findings will lead to more investigations into nondrug interventions for the prevention and early intervention of heart disease that are sorely needed given the high cost of health care in our nation and the impact of health care cost on low income and disproportionately minority communities."

The research was conducted in conjunction with Martin Luther King Hospital and Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science in Los Angeles, and was funded by a grant from the National Institutes of Health.

Possible study limitations

Of the 85 original subjects, roughly 50% in each group were available for the final echocardiograph tests after the 6-month study period. The high attrition might have reduced power for some of the findings.

However, the attrition was not significantly different between the TM and the HE groups, thus reducing potential subject bias in the final sample. Moreover, the attritors and completers were not significantly different in demographic or physiological characteristics at baseline that prevented the occurrence of systematically biased treatment outcomes. No record of compliance for home TM practice was collected. However, the record of meeting attendance was significantly higher in the TM (80.6%) as compared with HE (50.2%) group (P=.001).

this is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.     
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Dos and Don'ts for cardiac patients during winter

With the cold conditions continue to grip the northern states, peaople with heart diseases are more prone to complications of precautions are not taken by them says a cardiologist.

The Dr. said, definitely the winter and low-temperature are not good for the patients who are having underlying coronary artery diseases. They've  a high incidence of an acute coronary syndrome, that means heart attack and unstable angina, which are common in the winter season.

A higher dise of medication during winter is suggested by the Dr. for the patients who are hypertensive and who are taking BP-lowering medications.

patients having arrhythmia problems like rhythm disorder, atrial fibrillation also have a higher incidence of the problems, feels the Dr.

The caring measures suggested by the doctor for the patients with slow heart-pumping include avoid smoking and consumption of alcohol, control the intake of fat-rick food items, which is more of a tendency during winter. Keeping a count on your blood pressure is a must.

this is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.     
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Warning Signs of Low Magnesium Levels and What to Do About It

The warning signs of low magnesium levels in your body can be difficult to spot. A magnesium deficiency can show signs like muscle cramps, fatigue, nausea, tingling in your hand, and constipation. Many of these signs can also be indicative of other health conditions and are easy to mistake for something else. However, signs of low levels of magnesium should never be ignored.


Because low magnesium levels in people are easy to ignore, this has been called an “invisible deficiency.” Having low levels of magnesium over a long period of time can also lead to various complications. For example, osteoporosis, heart disease, high blood pressure and kidney stones have all been linked to a chronic magnesium deficiency.

So, if a lack of magnesium is so serious, why is it difficult to spot? Low magnesium side effects are often attributed to other causes. Also, lifestyle choices can sometimes affect how much magnesium is absorbed into the body. For example, chronic diarrhea, drinking too much alcohol, or certain medications can lower magnesium levels.

In this article, I will look at the 14 warning signs of low magnesium levels that are easy to ignore. You will also find answers to your questions like: what causes low magnesium in the body? How should you treat low magnesium? And what are the best ways to increase low magnesium levels?

What Does Magnesium Do in Your Body?

Magnesium is an essential mineral in your body that helps to keep your body functioning properly. A Dr.  states that magnesium is important for healthy bones, muscles, nerves, and heart function. Magnesium also plays a role in your body to regulate blood sugar and blood pressure, therefore, helping to give you energy.

The National Institute of Health says that magnesium is an important mineral because it is involved in over 300 biochemical reactions in the body. Magnesium is also needed for healthy DNA and also has antioxidant properties that keep you healthy. Around half of your body’s levels of magnesium are in the bones with the rest in soft tissues and a little amount in the blood.

Low levels of magnesium are called hypomagnesemia. This is when there is too little magnesium in your blood which is a sign of low magnesium levels in your body.

Magnesium, Vitamin D & Calcium – The Connection

Magnesium is also closely connected with calcium and vitamin D. A lack of magnesium can affect how vitamin D is absorbed in the body and it helps to prevent too much calcium building up in the bones.

According to the experts, magnesium affects the concentration of vitamin D which is essential for healthy bones. Doctors  also say that vitamin D helps the body to regulate the amount of calcium and phosphate. These minerals are also necessary for healthy bones, teeth, and muscle function.

However, magnesium also has a direct influence on the body’s calcium levels. The journal  reports that proper levels of magnesium in the body affect calcium and potassium.If your body lacks magnesium, levels of calcium can increase to dangerous levels because magnesium helps the body flush out excess calcium.

The journal reported that when magnesium and calcium levels are imbalanced, the result in the body is an increase in inflammation and many other common chronic diseases.

Low Magnesium Levels: 14 Symptoms of Magnesium Deficiency

How can you tell if your magnesium levels are low? If you live in a Western country, then chances are that you have a lack of magnesium. The Dr. says that around 75% of Americans show signs of low magnesium levels.

Here are the 14 common signs of having a magnesium deficiency that are easy to ignore.

1. Muscle cramps and spasms due to low magnesium

A lack of magnesium in your body can cause you to have muscle cramps, spasms, muscle tics and twitches.

Doctors say that various types of muscle cramps can be caused by having too little magnesium, calcium, or potassium. Cramping in your legs is a common symptom of a mineral deficiency such as a lack of magnesium.

Keeping yourself well hydrated and stretching your muscles are some ways to prevent muscle pain and cramping.

2. Numbness and tingling

If you frequently suffer from numbness and tingling in your arms legs, it could be a sign of not having enough magnesium.

Doctors from the American Academy of Family Physicians report that people with low levels of magnesium often experience tingling and numbness.

Of course, tingling down one leg could also be a sign that you've a trapped sciatic nerve. Or, tingling in just one arm  could also be an indication of poor blood circulation or a trapped spinal nerve.

3. Loss of appetite

One sign of low magnesium is if you often don’t feel like eating or you don’t have an appetite.
A study published in the journal Nutrients found that a loss of appetite is often an early sign of a magnesium deficiency. Not eating a healthy, well-balanced diet where you don’t get enough vitamins and minerals could then make levels of magnesium drop even lower.

This can also result in fatigue, which is another common sign of low levels of magnesium.

4. Fatigue & weakness

If you constantly feel tired, have no energy, or feel physically weak, boosting your levels of magnesium could help.

The journal reported that fatigue and chronic tiredness are among the early signs that your magnesium levels are low. Other studies have also found that people suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) often have a chronic magnesium deficiency.

Of course, there are other nutritional deficiencies that can make you feel tired all the time. If you have problems with constant tiredness, you could try these 8 secrets to boost your energy or these 10 foods.  Also, the supplement can help people who suffer from CFS.

5. Nausea and vomiting

A sign of low levels of magnesium that is easy to ignore is nausea and vomiting.

There are, of course, many reasons for feeling nauseous like having food poisoning, a stomach bug, or being pregnant. However, researchers report that a persistent feeling of nausea and vomiting is a common magnesium deficiency symptom.

If you suffer from bouts of vomiting, you can try consuming ginger as a natural remedy for throwing up. Ginger can help to calm your stomach and also improve your appetite.

6. Arrhythmia (abnormal heart rhythm)

One thing that magnesium does in your body is help regulate your heart rhythm. Low magnesium in your blood could cause arrhythmia.

According to the journal, hypomagnesemia can affect the cardiovascular system. Researchers have found that boosting levels of magnesium in the body helps to reduce incidences of arrhythmias. Addressing low levels of magnesium if you have arrhythmia also improves your chances of surviving a myocardial infarction (heart attack).

If you have an irregular heartbeat, you should speak to your doctor about getting levels of magnesium tested.

7. Personality changes

Another consequence of having low levels of magnesium in your body is that it can affect your mood and personality.
A study from Japan found that among individuals who had a lack of magnesium, personality changes and depression were the most common signs. Researchers suggested that some people with depression may be suffering from a magnesium deficiency, not a psychiatric condition.

8. Anxiety

A magnesium deficiency can have a major impact on your feelings of anxiety and stress in your day-to-day life.
According to a scientific study, there are some reasons why a lack of magnesium can increase anxiety levels. For example, magnesium affects glutamate which is an important neurotransmitter that regulates responses to fear, panic, and anxiety. Also, magnesium regulates the adrenal glands which affect your stress response.
You can help to reduce your feelings of anxiety naturally  by increasing your magnesium intake.

9. Sleeping problems

Not having enough magnesium in your diet can cause sleep problems and insomnia.
Many people suffer from sleep problems like not falling asleep quickly, awakening too early, or feeling tired when they wake. A study published found that magnesium supplementation helped to improve individuals’ sleep patterns. Getting more magnesium in the diet allowed people to sleep better and wake up feeling more refreshed.
If you have disrupted sleep patterns, then it could be a sign of a magnesium deficiency that you shouldn’t ignore. There are many dangers of sleep deprivation and it’s important to take steps to get a better night's sleep..

10. Constipation and low magnesium

Constipation is a sign that you could be suffering from a lack of magnesium which makes it harder to pass stools.
According to research published in, increasing levels of magnesium can help relieve constipation. The study found that low levels of magnesium have a direct effect on the incidences of constipation. In fact, the research found that magnesium is just as important as fiber to keep your stools soft and your bowel movements regular.

11. Cravings for chocolate

Having low levels of magnesium could cause you to have chocolate cravings to satisfy your magnesium deficiency.
Interestingly, the Journal  reported that chocolate can help to address a magnesium deficiency. Chocolate also boosts levels of dopamine and serotonin and can affect feelings of well-being.
The health benefits of chocolate are in dark chocolate, not the milk variety or white chocolate. Eating dark chocolate in moderation can help to improve your heart health, lower cholesterol, and lower high blood pressure naturally.

12. High blood pressure

One of the most well-researched areas about the signs of low levels of magnesium is the connection with high blood pressure. High blood pressure could be a sign that you lack enough magnesium in your diet.
Because magnesium has a relaxing effect on many functions of the body, it helps to relax your blood vessels. The journal  stated that magnesium levels have a direct effect on a person’s blood pressure. Magnesium also affects potassium and calcium levels which also affect blood pressure.
Some other ways of lowering blood pressure naturally include enjoying a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and getting enough magnesium, calcium, and potassium.

13. Headaches and migraines

Having low levels of magnesium could mean that you suffer from frequent headaches or have more severe migraines.
According to research published, one of the signs of low magnesium levels are migraines and headaches.
A lack of magnesium is just one mineral and vitamin deficiency that is connected with headaches. . One natural way to relieve headaches without painkillers is to use aromatherapy. Some of the best essential oils for headaches are peppermint, lavender, and chamomile.

14. Connection between PMS and a lack of magnesium

Women need sufficient amounts of magnesium to help reduce the severity of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms.
Not having enough magnesium can affect hormones and cause PMS. A study published in 2007 found that symptoms of PMS improved when women took magnesium supplements.

Common Causes of Magnesium Deficiency

What causes low magnesium in the body? Let’s look at why many of us lack enough magnesium in our bodies.

Modern farming techniques and food processing

One cause of a magnesium deficiency is due to modern farming techniques which deplete the soil of nutrients and the way that many of our foods are processed which reduces their mineral, vitamin, and fiber content.
The  Journal reported on studies that have shown that magnesium levels in cereal seeds have markedly declined in recent years. This was sighted as one of the reasons why two-thirds of people lack enough magnesium.

Water purification

Municipal water-purification facilities have intensified their efforts to remove contaminants like lead, pesticide residues, and nitrates from drinking water. However, these modern water-treatment methods also deplete drinking water of desirable minerals like calcium and magnesium. Exacerbating this problem is that many people have added home water filters that extract any remaining minerals from the water.
According to a report of the World Health Organization, although the concentrations of calcium and magnesium in drinking-water vary significantly from one supply to another, mineral-rich drinking-water may provide important contributions to total intakes of these nutrients in some populations. The report also states that water treatment processes can affect mineral concentrations and, hence, the total intake of calcium and magnesium for some individuals.

Chronic diarrhea

A Dr. reported that chronic diarrhea affects magnesium absorption and can result in a magnesium deficiency.

Drinking too much alcohol

Chronic alcoholism is another reason why some people show very low levels of magnesium. The Journal reported that alcoholism and chronic diarrhea are often connected and can further impact negatively on magnesium levels.

Diuretics and magnesium deficiency

The Journal  reported that the long-term use of diuretic therapy can also negatively affect magnesium levels. Diuretics are sometimes used in the management of high blood pressure.

Excessive exercising

The journal Clinical Biochemist Reviews said that excessive exercising can affect levels of magnesium and cause them to drop after long workouts.

Medication for acid reflux inhibits magnesium absorption

The long-term use of medication to manage acid reflux and symptoms of gastroesophageal disease (GERD) can mean low levels of magnesium. The  Journal  reported that proton pump inhibitors can hinder magnesium absorption. Some people with chronic GERD even need weekly intravenous injections to boost magnesium levels.

Age affects levels of magnesium

As we grow older, our body’s ability to absorb enough magnesium from food diminishes. However, according to some studies, a magnesium deficiency caused by age only affects the very elderly.

Diabetes

One of the complications of diabetes is that it impairs magnesium absorption. The journal  reported that there is also a clear link between diabetes and showing signs of low magnesium levels.

Diseases Caused by Low Levels of Magnesium

Let’s look briefly at what low levels of magnesium can mean when it comes to serious diseases.

Osteoporosis

Because magnesium is closely connected with vitamin D and calcium, a magnesium deficiency can cause osteoporosis. The journal stated that magnesium is essential to maintain bone health and prevent osteoporosis.

Heart disease

Your body needs magnesium to keep its heart healthy, and heart disease can be caused by a magnesium deficiency. A Dr. reports that abnormal magnesium levels can cause various coronary and artery issues.

Asthma

A chronic deficiency of magnesium levels could lead to respiratory conditions like asthma. The medical journal reported that many people who suffer from asthma also have symptoms of low magnesium levels. Researchers have found that a magnesium deficiency could be connected with the development of asthma and other respiratory diseases.
Sometimes, magnesium is given to help reduce the symptoms of asthma naturally.

High blood pressure

Not getting enough magnesium from your diet or supplements could cause high blood pressure or hypertension. The Journal  found that levels of magnesium impacts on blood pressure and a magnesium deficiency could lead to high blood pressure.

Kidney stones

If you have chronic low levels of magnesium, you may be at more risk of developing kidney stones. The journal reported that low levels of magnesium in urine allows for the formation of mineral deposits which can form into  kidney stones.

Diabetes

The journal reported that low levels of magnesium may affect insulin levels so much that it is a causative factor in type-2 diabetes. Scientists reported that low magnesium intake increases a person’s  risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

How to Treat or Prevent Low Magnesium Levels

The first step to treat or prevent low magnesium levels is to get to the root of the problem. Enjoying a healthy diet with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables can help to boost levels of magnesium naturally.
It’s also important to avoid drinking excessive amounts of coffee and alcohol and eating processed foods. These poor dietary habits can contribute to a magnesium deficiency.
As many studies on the signs of low magnesium levels have pointed out, gastrointestinal issues and certain types of medication can all make it harder for the body to absorb magnesium. Therefore, you should try and resolve any health issues that could be contributing to a lack of magnesium.

Foods to Prevent Low Magnesium Levels

Some of the best foods that contain high levels of magnesium are green leafy vegetables, nuts and seeds as well as whole grains.
According to the doctors, the best foods to eat to increase levels of magnesium are the following:

• Cereals. Oatmeal, wholemeal bread, and bran flakes.
• Vegetables. Broccoli, raw carrots, corn, peas, beets, and asparagus.
• Nuts and seeds. Almonds, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, cashews, Brazil nuts, and walnuts.
• Meat and fish. Lean veal, sirloin steak, chicken, turkey and tuna.
• Dairy products. Milk.

Supplements to Treat Magnesium Deficiency

Taking magnesium supplements is one way to address a magnesium deficiency and avoid the signs of low magnesium.
You can find magnesium supplements at your local health store or online. Magnesium supplements can be found in powder form, liquid, capsules or tablets. You can find inexpensive products that feature magnesium citrate , which is among the most readily absorbed forms of magnesium supplements.
As there is a risk of side effects and interactions with other medications and supplements, you should speak to your healthcare provider before taking supplements for low levels of magnesium.

Recommended Daily Intake for Magnesium

According to the doctors, the daily recommendation for magnesium intake are:
19-30 years: men 400 mg, women 310 mg, pregnant women 350 mg. 31+ years: men 420 mg, women 320 mg, pregnant women 360 mg.

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