What cause the heart to enlarge? Why shortness of breath?

Cholesterol is a waxy substance that your body needs. In balance, it serves a useful function- such duties includes cell-wall repair and hormone production. However, if you have too much cholesterol in your bloodstream, it can lead to atherosclerosis, a condition in which fat and cholesterol are deposited in the walls of the arteries in many parts of the body, including the coronary arteries feeding the heart. Result: a clogged arteries- (like hard water causing lime to build up inside plumbing), Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) sometimes called bad cholesterol promotes accumulation of cholesterol in the walls of your arteries. ..

The American Heart Association reports that heart disease kills almost 1 million Americans each year, more than all cancer deaths combined. Many of these deaths occur because of (atherosclerosis), resulting in narrowed or blocked arteries. Cholesterol plays a significant role in this largely preventable condition.

*Control total fat Saturated and trans fats(called partially hydrogenated oil found in packaged cookies, baked goods, and fast foods)- raise blood cholesterol levels. Polyunsaturated fats lower blood cholesterol but also seem susceptible to oxidation. Over time, oxidation speeds buildup of plaques inside your arteries. Monounsaturated fats may help lower blood cholesterol and are resistant to oxidation.  Limit all types of fat intake.  Limit saturated fat to no more than 10 percent of total calories.

*Limit dietary cholesterol .  Cholesterol naturally occurs in foods made from animals Your daily limit for dietary cholesterol is 300 milligrams. To accomplish this goal, limit or avoid concentrated sources such as red meat, organ meats, egg yolks, butter, and whole milk, cheese products. Throw away chicken skin where most fats hide 

*Eat foods with soluble fiber . Foods high in soluble fiber such as oat bran, oatmeal, beans, peas, rice bran, barley, citrus fruits, strawberries and apple pulp- help eliminate toxins within the intestines, can lower your total blood cholesterol level and keep your blood sugar steady.   Drink at least 8 glasses of water a day to help fiber do its job.

*Eat more fish . Some fish - particularly fatty types prevalent in cold water such as salmon, mackerel and herring - contain high amounts of a unique type of polyunsaturated fat called omega-3 fatty acids. Omega 3s may lower your level of triglycerides.

*Flax Seed Oil is one option and good source for omega-3 fatty acids other than fish. They play a role in immune function, help in metabolism of cholesterol, and produce prostaglandins(are important hormone-like substances that regulate many body processes such as blood pressure, blood clotting, immune responses, etc)

*Soy Beans . Soy compounds called isoflavones act like human hormones that regulate cholesterol levels. Eating soy proteins can reduce your levels of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and triglycerides. Eating soy may also raise your level of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol - "good" cholesterol, which may protect you against heart disease.  Soy helps keep blood clot from forming

*Eat more foods with antioxidants . Antioxidant vitamins may help prevent cholesterol from damaging the lining of your arteries. They include vitamins C and E and the carotenoids, such as beta carotene. Oxidation is the process by which cells in your body called free radicals damage other cells as they seek to replace their missing electron. Antioxidants neutralize free radicals by donating the electrons the free radicals need. Oxidation causes changes in fatty acids and LDL cholesterol in your blood. These changes enable cells in your arteries to absorb fatty acids and LDL cholesterol more easily, leading to plaque buildup and narrowing of your arteries.

*Garlic has long been valued as a herb for the heart.  It is a potent antioxidant that pretects blood vessels from damage and assists with lowering serum cholesterol and high blood pressure.

Geen Tea offers antibacterial, antiviral and antioxidant properties.  Its polyphenols have been shown to reduce cholesterol levels and blood clotting.  

*Coenzyme Q 10 (CoQ10) is a fat-soluble, vitamin-like substance that resides in every cell in the body,  it's another potent antioxidant, it increases oxygenation of heart tissue, improves energy production at the cellular level, strengthens the heart muscle and lower cholesterol.  In studies comparing the level of CoQ10 in diseased hearts and healthy hearts, significant shortages of CoQ10 were found in the diseased hearts.

In addition to the above recommendations eat plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains foods everyday!

Cigarette smoke. Smoking and long-term exposure to secondhand smoke damage the interior walls of arteries - including coronary arteries - allowing deposits of cholesterol to collect and hamper the flow of blood. Cigarette smoke also increases the risk of deadly blood clots forming and causing a heart attack or stroke.  If you stop smoking, your HDL cholesterol may return to its former level.

Lack of physical activity. An inactive lifestyle contributes to high blood cholesterol levels and obesity. Studies show that people who get regular aerobic exercise, walking, jogging (30 to 45 minutes a day, at least 3 days a week) have better cardiovascular fitness, which decreases their risk of heart attack. The higher the level of your activity, the greater your rate of weight loss.  Exercise is also beneficial in lowering high blood pressure. Make exercise fun.  

Obesity. Obesity is defined as being more than 30 percent overweight. Obesity raises the risk of heart disease because it's associated with high blood cholesterol levels, high blood pressure and diabetes. Being overweight promotes a high total cholesterol level. Losing weight improves your cholesterol levels.

Diabetes. Diabetes is the inability of the body to produce or respond to insulin properly. Insulin allows the body to use glucose (sugar). Diabetes can occur in childhood, but it appears more often in middle age and among overweight people. Diabetes greatly increases the risk of heart disease by speeding up atherosclerosis and negatively affecting blood cholesterol levels.

Just walking 30 minutes a day, reducing your weight by 10 to 15 pounds, can reduce the incidence of diabetes by 58 percent

Stress. You may respond to stress in ways that can increase your risk of a heart attack. If you're under stress, you may overeat or smoke from nervous tension. Too much stress can also raise your blood pressure.  

IRC can be stressful if you're in it for too long, give yourself a break!

Alcohol. Consumed in moderation, alcohol helps raise HDL levels - the so-called good cholesterol - and can have a protective effect against heart attack. However, excessive drinking can raise your blood pressure and triglyceride levels, increasing your risk of heart attack. Drinking red wine no more than 1 glass a day is better for the heart.

Family history of heart attack. If your siblings, parents or grandparents have had early heart attacks, you may be at risk, too. Your family may have a genetic condition that raises blood cholesterol levels. High blood pressure can also run in families. In addition, families may contribute to heart disease by practicing or promoting poor health habits such as smoking or eating high fat diets.

High blood pressure. Over time, high blood pressure (140/90 mg/dl) can damage arteries to your heart by accelerating the buildup of fatty deposits that clog coronary arteries. High blood pressure can be an inherited problem. The risk of high blood pressure increases as you age. But the main culprit is eating a diet too high in salt and being overweight.  Being physically inactive raises the risk of developing high blood pressure. .

Explaining blood pressure:  Normal blood pressure in an adult is lower than 130 systolic, 85 diastolic. High blood pressure is 140 over 90 or above. Readings between those are considered borderline.

The benefit was there whether the participants had high blood pressure or normal blood pressure. And the extent of the reduction from exercise was greater than what was found in similar studies on reducing salt in the diet or reducing alcohol use.

A heart attack usually strikes suddenly. It can occur anytime - at work or play, while you're resting or while you're in motion. However, about half of all heart attack victims have warning symptoms hours, days or weeks in advance. The earliest predictor of an attack may be increasing episodes of chest pain called angina. Angina is chest pain caused by temporary, insufficient blood flow to the heart.  

It's a dynamic process that typically evolves over 4 to 6 hours. With each passing minute, more heart tissue is deprived of oxygen and deteriorates or dies, forming scar tissue and causing pain and pressure. However, if blood flow can be restored in time, damage to the heart can be limited.

What's the cure?  Lifestyle changes are the first steps to take to improve your health- eating a healthy diet, exercising and by controlling the risk factors mentioned above; improving your blood cholesterol levels reduces your risk of heart disease/heart attack!

Heal your body- Learn to live a healthier life using natural foods, herbs, pure water, fresh air, exercise, and rest.

Our health is our wealth! Please, save your life- We care! 

Sources: Health Food Magazines, Newspapers, Health Internet Websites, Television Health Shows-  from some  known Medical Doctors.

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