Before COVID-19, heart disease was the most common reason for deaths in America, and it is expected to likely be next on the list of dreadful causes. What can you do to prevent it? How can you avoid it? Mayo Clinic, the non-profit medical center that is focused on integrated health care, education, and research – says, “Heart failure may be continuous (chronic), or the condition could develop abruptly (acute). Heart failure symptoms and signs could be” these. Learn more about them and ensure your own health and that of those around you, be sure to take note of these warning signs that you’ve Been a Victim of Coronavirus.

 

10. You May Have Shortness of Breath

The condition is known as dyspnea. Shortness of breath can happen “when you work hard or lay on your back,” says the Mayo Clinic. “Few feelings are as terrifying as being unable to take in enough air. It’s usually described as an extreme tightening of the chest, a feeling of hunger for air or breathing problems and breathlessness, or a feeling of being suffocated. If you experience unresolved breath shortness, particularly when it occurs suddenly and is extremely severe, consult your physician as soon as possible.”

 

9. You May Feel Fatigued and Weakness

8. You May Have Swelling

Also known as edema, swelling of the ankles, legs, and feet could be an indication of a heart problem. “Edema is swelling that results from excessive fluid that has accumulated in the tissues of your body,” says the Mayo Clinic. “Although the condition may affect any part of your body it is possible to be more aware of it on your arms, hands feet, ankles, and legs. Edema may be caused by medications, pregnancy, or an underlying illness usually kidney disease, or cirrhosis of the liver.”

 

7. You May Have a Rapid or Irregular Heartbeat

“Heart rhythm issues (heart arrhythmias) are caused because the electric impulses which coordinate your heartbeats do not function correctly which causes your heartbeat to be too fast, too slow, or in irregular patterns,” states Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic. “Heart arrhythmias (uh-RITH-me-uhs) can appear as a fluttering or racing heart and are often benign. However, certain heart arrhythmias can cause uncomfortable and sometimes life-threatening symptoms.”

6. You May Have a Persistent Cough or Wheezing

An ongoing cough or wheezing can be associated with “white or pink blood-colored phlegm,” According to Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic.

5. You May Feel an Increased Need to Urinate at Night

“Up fifty percent to a quarter of people suffering from heart failure experience urine incontinence (UI) and an overactive bladder (OAB),” says one study. It adds to the Cleveland Clinic: “Frequent urination is also an indicator of other serious issues, such as prostate infection, bladder infections or heart conditions and leg swelling. It could also be a sign of interstitial cystitis (also known as the painful bladder syndrome) that is a chronic inflammation bladder disorder.”

4. You May Have a Swelling in Your Abdomen

“Ascites is an illness in which fluid builds up in the spaces in the abdomen. If it is severe, ascites can be uncomfortable,” reports Johns Hopkins. “The problem could hinder you from moving freely. Ascites may cause an abdominal infection. The fluid can also enter the chest area and cover your lungs. This can make it difficult to breathe.”

3. You could experience very rapid Weight Gain due to Fluid Retention.

“Weight changes are the first indication of a problem with fluid balance. A majority of people have up to 15 pounds of fluid before noticing the belly and leg swelling. However, signs like shortness of breath, coughing as well as nausea, loose stools, and feeling fuller when not eating a lot can develop around 5 to 7 pounds” Doctor. Eldrin Lewis is a specialist in heart failure at Harvard’s affiliated Brigham and Women’s Hospital, says Harvard Health. Contact a physician. “Don’t delay until you feel sick and you could have gained five to 10 pounds more by that point and could be on your way to having a serious health issue.”

2. You May Have a Lack of Appetite and Nausea

“Loss of appetite has become a frequent issue in patients suffering from heart disease that can result in undernutrition,” according to one study. “Health medical professionals should regularly evaluate appetite and speak with patients about’ feelings about appetite, intake of nutrition and body weight, and provide proper nutritional guidance according to their requirements.”

When to See a Doctor

According to the Mayo Clinic says: “See your physician if you may be having symptoms or signs that suggest heart disease. Get emergency medical attention if you experience any of the following symptoms:

• Chest pain
• Acute weakness or a severe tingling
• Heartbeats that are irregular or rapid, often caused by chest pain or fainting
• A sudden, intense breathlessness and vomiting up pink and foamy mucus.”

Garlic is a popular remedy among those turning to complementary and alternative medicine. Its antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties are well known. But if your focus is on heart health or metabolic problems, what can these smelly bulbs do? Besides its ability to counter oxidative stress and possibly reduce blood pressure, garlic is also being explored for its possible cholesterol-lowering effects.

 We look at some of the evidence. The promise of garlic for lowering cholesterol is undeniable if you look at studies.

Can Bring Down Total Cholesterol, LDL Cholesterol, And Triglyceride Levels

Aged garlic extract (AGE) supplementation was seen to help bring down total cholesterol by as much as 7 percent in one study. When men with hypercholesterolemia took this extract, their low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol fell by 10 percent.

Another study revealed that taking garlic in 2 daily doses of garlic powder tablets (equivalent to 400 mg of garlic/1 mg of allicin) for six weeks helped bring down total cholesterol by 12 percent and LDL cholesterol by 17 percent in subjects with a cholesterol problem. Triglyceride levels were also reduced by 6 percent.

Taking half a clove or a clove of garlic, or the equivalent of this in other forms has been seen to bring down total cholesterol levels by as much as 9 percent in people whose cholesterol levels were greater than 5.17 mmol/L (200 mg/dL) in another study.

An animal study found that giving test subjects raw aqueous garlic extract reduced their total and LDL cholesterol and reduced their triglyceride levels.

That said, some studies peg the results at a much lower figure, saying you should expect a total cholesterol-lowering effect of 4 to 6 percent, and not twice that amount as some studies have shown.

Can Give Good HDL Cholesterol A Boost

While garlic may potentially lower total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides levels, the good news is that it may not adversely impact levels of the good high-density (HDL) cholesterol in your body. Some studies record a 15 percent rise in HDL levels with garlic supplementation for six weeks. Researchers in another small study found that after taking garlic extract for four months, people with high cholesterol levels saw an improved blood lipid profile, with levels of good HDL cholesterol going up.

But The Results May Be Short-Lived

As heartening as all this might seem, the effects of garlic on your cholesterol are not long-lasting. In other words, you’ll probably need to keep up that garlic intake if you need to see its continued benefits or results. One study showed a significant reduction in total and LDL cholesterol levels at the 8-week and 12-week mark after using standardized dried garlic powder. But the researchers found that the lowered levels were no longer maintained after six months.

Results May Also Vary Depending On Your Current Cholesterol Levels

Your current cholesterol levels could also influence how much of a difference garlic intake could make. In one piece of research on people with cholesterol more than 200 mg/dl (above normal), the researchers remarked that taking garlic in the form of tablets with 800 mg garlic powder (1.3% alliin) seemed to show the best cholesterol-lowering effects on those who had an initial total cholesterol level clocking in at between 250 and 300 mg/dl.11 So, the magnitude of change may depend on your cholesterol levels – something studies haven’t calibrated fully yet.

Garlic Intake May Be Problematic For Some

Some people may have mild side effects like bad breath, heartburn, flatulence, and gastric disturbances from taking garlic.12 But for the vast majority, having a clove or two as part of your normal diet shouldn’t cause problems (beyond a little garlic breath!). However, taking larger amounts as a supplement must be run by your doctor first.

As with anything taken in large amounts or as a supplement, you must be mindful of other health conditions or medication that could interact with the garlic or garlic extract and affect your body. For instance, if you are taking any kind of anti-inflammatory drugs or anticoagulants, you should be wary of possible drug interactions. Garlic tends to inhibit platelet aggregation, which means your blood will take longer to clot, and you may bleed longer than normal. Suppose you are already on medication that has this effect, like anticoagulants. In that case, it could amplify these effects, causing problems with clotting and putting you at risk of excessive bleeding.

The Verdict: Garlic Helps But Won’t Do It Alone!

Some researchers say that taking garlic as a supplement with a view to lowering lipid levels cannot be widely recommended as the evidence isn’t strong enough. They warn that you shouldn’t expect to see a miraculous change in your cholesterol numbers. It might help, but it may not be good enough to warrant going off any of your medication.

Incidentally, there has been a lot of debate around whether high cholesterol levels adversely affect your heart health and longevity. While the cholesterol–heart disease conundrum is yet to be resolved, what is emerging is that you need to keep an eye on chronic inflammation that your body is subjected to, be it through processed and refined foods, stress, or a sedentary lifestyle. One hypothesis considers chronic inflammation the trigger for increased cholesterol production. High cholesterol or hypercholesterolemia is, in turn, also linked to increased inflammation. It may also affect your liver and kidney and increase the risk of obesity and diabetes. Fortunately, garlic may have a positive impact here thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties, helping counter inflammation.

The bottom line? Don’t expect garlic to be a miracle cure or a free pass to ignore your cardiovascular health. That said, it is a good addition to your diet as part of a holistic plan to improve your cholesterol levels, alongside lifestyle changes and other dietary interventions.

Superfoods are health food ideas that come from many parts of the globe. This partly explains why some superfoods have so much hype. To lower cholesterol, we’ve adopted soy from Japan, used olive oil from the Mediterranean to fight cancer, used chickpeas and chickpeas of the Middle East to curb weight gain, and incorporated Mexican black beans into our meals to stabilize our blood sugar.

This superfood, which has been in the limelight for centuries, can now be found in your spice drawer. Turmeric, a prominent spice in Indian cuisine, has won a lot of attention for its ability to treat depression and banish acne.

Research has shown that as little as one teaspoon of turmeric per day can improve your heart health.

Details of the Study

A study of 32 women who were postmenopausal was completed over eight weeks. The women were randomly assigned to one of three groups: an exercise or turmeric group.

The turmeric group provided one teaspoon of turmeric daily to women, while the exercise group received supervised aerobic exercise training 2-3x per week. Each session lasted between 30-60 minutes and had a maximum heart rate of 60-75 percent.

An ultrasound was performed to measure changes in the endothelium, or the inner lining, of blood vessels. The researchers wanted to measure flow-mediated arterial dilation in participants in order to evaluate arterial elasticity. This would then determine the health and condition of the participants’ blood vessels.

Results of the Study

Researchers observed significant improvements in endothelial function both in the exercise and turmeric groups. The improvement in the turmeric group was almost identical to the exercise group’s.

What does this mean?
According to the above study, TurmericTurmeric can be as effective as exercising in preventing, reducing, and possibly even reversing atherosclerosis and endothelial dysfunction (plaque buildup inside the arteries) and can help maintain your heart health and strength.

Turmeric, Curcumin, and The Heart

Turmeric isn’t a foreign spice. Many of us will have heard of TurmericTurmeric from curry recipes or our recent trip to the spice markets. Many people don’t realize that TurmericTurmeric has many benefits besides adding great flavor to food preparations.

The ability of TurmericTurmeric to heal heart disease has been a hallmark of Chinese folk medicine for centuries. Researchers have now found the answer to this question: “What is turmeric good at?”

Curcumin is a compound found in TurmericTurmeric that gives the root its bright yellow color. This compound is responsible for Turmeric’sTurmeric’s potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant, antiseptic, anti-cancerous, and anti-cancerous qualities. It can also help reduce inflammation and oxidative damage, two major factors in stroke and heart disease.

Curcumin relaxes blood vessels and helps reduce the risk of blood clotting, one of the leading causes of strokes. Curcumin’s ability to make the liver eliminate bad cholesterol is a great way to lower cholesterol, another factor that can lead to poor heart health.

How to get your daily dose of TurmericTurmeric

We’ve established that turmeric is good for the heart. Let’s now look at how to reap the root’s health benefits, even if it’s not used in curries.

Turmeric can also be used in herbal teas or protein shakes. To boost your immunity, add turmeric to your morning cup of milk before starting your day.
You can eat it: Turmeric can be added to everyday dishes, such as soups, gravies, and salads.
You can also take turmeric supplements. Talk to your doctor to discuss the dose and any side effects.

Not all spices and supplements can replace exercise, no matter how healthy. Even though turmeric is known to improve cardiovascular health, it should not be used as a replacement for regular exercise.

Cranberries are a well-known superfood. Cranberries are high in antioxidants and nutrients, low in calories, delicious, and rich in nutrients. Cranberries, native to North America, have a higher antioxidant content than superfoods like spinach and broccoli. You only need to eat a small amount to reap the nutritional benefits.

Many health problems can be avoided or treated by cranberries, including stomach ulcers and urinary tract infections. The best health benefits are fresh cranberries, followed closely by dried cranberries. Juice is the worst, so it’s crucial that you only buy “real” cranberry liquid and not “fruit drinks.” These contain very little real cranberry juice but lots of sugar and preservatives.

These little berries can be great for your health in 10 different ways.

1. Combat urinary tract infections
This is a subject of debate. All over the globe, people drink cranberry juice for UTIs. It was thought that cranberries would make the urine too acidic for bacteria to thrive. Still, it has been proven that some chemicals in cranberries prevent bacteria from adhering to the urinary tract cells. They would normally stick to this area and multiply, creating an infection. Instead, cranberry juice allows them to pass through the urine. However, cranberry juice does not appear to be able to remove bacteria from the skin. WebMD says this is why cranberry extract may be more effective as a preventative than a treatment for UTIs.

2. Your cancer risk can be reduced
Food Facts points out that cranberries effectively prevent the spread and growth of many cancers. These included lung, breast, colon, prostate, and prostate tumors. Although these studies’ results are inconclusive, it is possible that cranberries have an anti-tumor effect due to salicylic acid.

3. Give your heart a helping hand
Health refers to a study published by the British Journal of Nutrition that showed that drinking a glass of unsweetened Cranberry juice daily could increase good cholesterol levels by around 10 percent. The Mayo Clinic has found that cranberry juice may help prevent the hardening of arterial walls. Medical News Today explains that cranberry juice may lower the risk of developing the cardiovascular disease through the prevention of platelet buildup and the reduction in blood pressure via anti-inflammatory mechanisms.

4. Prevent stomach ulcers
WebMD states that cranberries can help prevent H. Pylori (bacterial infection) in the stomach. This could lead to ulcers. The bacteria are prevented from similarly attaching to the stomach lining as it does in the bladder.

5. Fight inflammation
According to NOLA, cranberries can help with rheumatoid and stomach disorders.

6. Prevent cavities, gum disease, and other problems
Cranberry juice prevents bacteria from sticking in the stomach lining and urinary tract. The same principle applies to the mouth, where cranberry extract stops bacteria from binding to teeth and prevents plaque from building up. Its anti-inflammatory properties help to reduce inflammation and lower our risk of developing periodontal disease.

7. They are high in fiber
Food Facts states that cranberries contain 20% of your daily fiber needs in each serving. Fiber flushes out the body and reduces the risk of stroke, heart disease, and diabetes.

8. They are anti-aging.
According to The Natural Health Society, this all boils down to cranberries’ high levels of antioxidants. Antioxidants protect cells against free radicals, which can accelerate aging. This isn’t about vanity. Those same free radicals could lead to degenerative diseases and age-related heart or brain problems. Cranberry extract could help reduce memory loss and keep the brain healthy.

9. Lower blood sugar
According to SF Gate, a study in the Health Studies Journal showed that dried cranberries can help control blood sugar in type 2 diabetics.

10. Vitamins, vitamins, vitamins
One cup of cranberries contains 24% of the recommended vitamin C intake. Cranberries are also rich in minerals like potassium, manganese, and other nutrients. What more can this tiny berry offer than that?

WebMD warns that cranberries can be a safe and natural way of gaining many health benefits. However, they may not be the best dietary supplement for everyone. People with aspirin allergies may react adversely to cranberries. They can also interact with blood thinners and other medications. As with all fruits, excessive consumption can lead to upset stomachs. Talk to your doctor if you are unsure. You can also add cranberries to the diet. Dried is better than fresh!