Wednesday, April 14, 2010
A small Stry
A boy and a girl were playing together. The boy had a collection of marbles. The girl had some sweets with her. The boy told the girl that he will give her all his marbles in exchange for her sweets. The girl agreed.
The boy kept the biggest and the most beautiful marble aside and gave the rest to the girl. The girl gave him all her sweets as she had promised.
That night, the girl slept peacefully. But the boy couldn't sleep as he kept wondering if the girl had hidden some sweets from him the way he had hidden his best marble.
Moral of the story: If you don't give your hundred percent in a relationship, you'll always keep doubting if the other person has given his/her hundred percent.
This is applicable for any relationship like friendship, employer-employee relationship etc.
Give your hundred percent to everything you do and sleep peacefully
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
DRINK WATER ON EMPTY STOMACH
It is popular in Japan today to drink water immediately after waking up every morning. Furthermore, scientific tests have proven its value. We publish below a description of use of water for our readers. For old and serious diseases as well as modern illnesses the water treatment had been found successful by a Japanese medical society as a 100% cure for the following diseases:
Headache, body ache, heart system, arthritis, fast heart beat, epilepsy, excess fatness, bronchitis asthma, TB, meningitis, kidney and urine diseases, vomiting, gastritis, diarrhea, piles, diabetes, constipation, all eye diseases, womb, cancer and menstrual disorders, ear nose and throat diseases.
METHOD OF TREATMENT
1. As you wake up in the morning before brushing teeth, drink 4 x 160ml glasses of water
2. Brush and clean the mouth but do not eat or drink anything for 45 minute
3. After 45 minutes you may eat and drink as normal.
4. After 15 minutes of breakfast, lunch and dinner do not eat or drink anything for 2 hours
5. Those who are old or sick and are unable to drink 4 glasses of water at the beginning may commence by taking little water and gradually increase it to 4 glasses per day.
6. The above method of treatment will cure diseases of the sick and others can enjoy a healthy life.
The following list gives the number of days of treatment required to cure/control/reduce main diseases:
1. High Blood Pressure (30 days)
2. Gastric (10 days)
3. Diabetes (30 days)
4. Constipation (10 days)
5. Cancer (180 days)
6. TB (90 days)
7. Arthritis patients should follow the above treatment only for 3 days in the 1st week, and from 2nd week onwards – daily.
This treatment method has no side effects, however at the commencement of treatment you may have to urinate a few times.
It is better if we continue this and make this procedure as a routine work in our life. Drink Water and Stay healthy and Active.
This makes sense .. The Chinese and Japanese drink hot tea with their meals ..not cold water. Maybe it is time we adopt their drinking habit while eating!!! Nothing to lose, everything to gain...
For those who like to drink cold water, this article is applicable to you.
It is nice to have a cup of cold drink after a meal. However, the cold water will solidify the oily stuff that you have just consumed. It will slow down the digestion.
Once this 'sludge' reacts with the acid, it will break down and be absorbed by the intestine faster than the solid food. It will line the intestine.
Very soon, this will turn into fats and lead to cancer. It is best to drink hot soup or warm water after a meal.
A serious note about heart attacks:
· Women should know that not every heart attack symptom is going to be the left arm hurting,
· Be aware of intense pain in the jaw line.
· You may never have the first chest pain during the course of a heart attack.
· Nausea and intense sweating are also common symptoms.
· 60% of people who have a heart attack while they are asleep do not wake up.
· Pain in the jaw can wake you from a sound sleep. Let's be careful and be aware. The more we know, the better chance we could survive...
A cardiologist says if everyone who gets this mail sends it to everyone they know, you can be sure that we'll save at least one life.
In 1900, fathers prayed their children would learn English.
Today, fathers pray their children will speak English.
In 1900, a father's horsepower meant his horses.
Today, it's the size of his minivan.
In 1900, if a father put a roof over his family's head, he was a success.
Today, it takes a roof, deck, pool, and 4-car garage. And that's just the vacation home.
In 1900, a father waited for the doctor to tell him when the baby arrived.
Today, a father must wear a smock, know how to breathe, and make sure film is in the video camera.
In 1900, fathers passed on clothing to their sons.
Today, kids wouldn't touch Dad's clothes if they were sliding naked down an icicle.
In 1900, fathers could count on children to join the family business.
Today, fathers pray their kids will soon come home from college long enough to teach them how to work the computer and set the VCR.
In 1900, fathers pined for old country Romania, Italy, or Russia.
Today, fathers pine for old country Hank Williams.
In 1900, a father smoked a pipe.
If he tries that today, he gets sent outside after a lecture on lip cancer.
In 1900, fathers shook their children gently and whispered, "Wake up, it's time for school."
Today, kids shake their fathers violently at 4 a.m., shouting: "Wake up, it's time for hockey practice."
In 1900, a father came home from work to find his wife and children at the supper table.
Today, a father comes home to a note: "Jimmy's at baseball, Cindy's at gymnastics, I'm at adult-Ed, Pizza in fridge."
In 1900, fathers and sons would have heart-to-heart conversations while fishing in a stream.
Today, fathers pluck the headphones off their sons' ears and shout, "WHEN YOU HAVE A MINUTE.."
In 1900, a father gave a pencil box for Christmas, and the kid was all smiles.
Today, a father spends $800 at Toys 'R' Us, and the kid screams: "I wanted Sega!"
In 1900, if a father had breakfast in bed, it was eggs and bacon and ham and potatoes.
Today, it's Special K, soy milk, dry toast and a lecture on cholesterol.
In 1900, a Father's Day gift would be a hand tool.
Today, he'll get a digital organizer.
In 1900, fathers said, "A man's home is his castle."
Today, they say, "Welcome to the money pit."
In 1900, "a good day at the market" meant Father brought home feed for the horses.
Today, "a good day at the market" means Dad got in early on an IPO..
In 1900, a happy meal was when Father shared funny stories around the table.
Today, a happy meal is what Dad buys at McDonald's.
In 1900, a father was involved if he spanked the kid now and then.
Today, a father's involved only if he coaches Little League and organizes Boy Scouts and car pools.
In 1900, when fathers entered the room, children often rose to attention.
Today, kids glance up and grunt, "Dad, you're invading my space."
In 1900, fathers threatened their daughters suiters with shotguns if the girl came home late.
Today, fathers break the ice by saying, "So...how long have you had that earring?"
In 1900, fathers pined for the old school, which meant a one-room, red-brick building.
Today, fathers pine for the old school, which means Dr J and Mickey Mantle.
In 1900, fathers were never truly appreciated.
In 2001, fathers are never truly appreciated
Today, fathers pray their children will speak English.
In 1900, a father's horsepower meant his horses.
Today, it's the size of his minivan.
In 1900, if a father put a roof over his family's head, he was a success.
Today, it takes a roof, deck, pool, and 4-car garage. And that's just the vacation home.
In 1900, a father waited for the doctor to tell him when the baby arrived.
Today, a father must wear a smock, know how to breathe, and make sure film is in the video camera.
In 1900, fathers passed on clothing to their sons.
Today, kids wouldn't touch Dad's clothes if they were sliding naked down an icicle.
In 1900, fathers could count on children to join the family business.
Today, fathers pray their kids will soon come home from college long enough to teach them how to work the computer and set the VCR.
In 1900, fathers pined for old country Romania, Italy, or Russia.
Today, fathers pine for old country Hank Williams.
In 1900, a father smoked a pipe.
If he tries that today, he gets sent outside after a lecture on lip cancer.
In 1900, fathers shook their children gently and whispered, "Wake up, it's time for school."
Today, kids shake their fathers violently at 4 a.m., shouting: "Wake up, it's time for hockey practice."
In 1900, a father came home from work to find his wife and children at the supper table.
Today, a father comes home to a note: "Jimmy's at baseball, Cindy's at gymnastics, I'm at adult-Ed, Pizza in fridge."
In 1900, fathers and sons would have heart-to-heart conversations while fishing in a stream.
Today, fathers pluck the headphones off their sons' ears and shout, "WHEN YOU HAVE A MINUTE.."
In 1900, a father gave a pencil box for Christmas, and the kid was all smiles.
Today, a father spends $800 at Toys 'R' Us, and the kid screams: "I wanted Sega!"
In 1900, if a father had breakfast in bed, it was eggs and bacon and ham and potatoes.
Today, it's Special K, soy milk, dry toast and a lecture on cholesterol.
In 1900, a Father's Day gift would be a hand tool.
Today, he'll get a digital organizer.
In 1900, fathers said, "A man's home is his castle."
Today, they say, "Welcome to the money pit."
In 1900, "a good day at the market" meant Father brought home feed for the horses.
Today, "a good day at the market" means Dad got in early on an IPO..
In 1900, a happy meal was when Father shared funny stories around the table.
Today, a happy meal is what Dad buys at McDonald's.
In 1900, a father was involved if he spanked the kid now and then.
Today, a father's involved only if he coaches Little League and organizes Boy Scouts and car pools.
In 1900, when fathers entered the room, children often rose to attention.
Today, kids glance up and grunt, "Dad, you're invading my space."
In 1900, fathers threatened their daughters suiters with shotguns if the girl came home late.
Today, fathers break the ice by saying, "So...how long have you had that earring?"
In 1900, fathers pined for the old school, which meant a one-room, red-brick building.
Today, fathers pine for the old school, which means Dr J and Mickey Mantle.
In 1900, fathers were never truly appreciated.
In 2001, fathers are never truly appreciated
ABBREVIATION OF MOTHER:
M:MOST
O:ORIGNAL
T:TOPCLASS
H:HONOURABLE
E:EXCELLENT
R:RESPECTABLE
Who ran to help me when I fell,
And would some pretty story tell,
Or kiss the place to make it well?
My Mother.
Smiles of happy sunshine,
Arms of everlasting love,
Touch of sweet roses,
There is magic in the air
Whenever You are there,
Mother, everything to U I owe,
May all pleasures of life come your way.
When u feel u r alone in a crowd,
when u think no one can understand u,
when u think your love is rejected by others,
and when u hate your life just close your eyes and think about her who loves u truly,cares for u in your loneliness, dies when u cry,
she is no one else but MOM
The love she has deep in her heart,
Always gives me a good jump start,
She is the one who’s love is true,
Thank u Mom for being u.
The Miracle of Life
Nurtured by a woman
Who gave us
Love and sacrifice…
is “MOTHER”
When you feel you are alone in the Crowd,
When you Think No one can Understand you,
When your love is rejected by others,
& when your hate your Life,
Just Close your eyes,
& see,Her face who Loves you,
More than any one else,
Who Care for you in loneliness,
& dies when you cry.
She is no One,
But your Sweet Loving Mother.
Love your mom first
Being a full-time mother is
one of the highest salaried jobs…
since the payment is pure love.
Once upon a memory
Someone wiped away a tear
Held me close and loved me,
Thank you, dear Mother
If I have never said thank you for bringing me into the world I'd like to do that now.
The sweetest sounds to mortals given are heard in Mother, Home, and
Heaven.
Never marry a man who hates his mother, because he'll end up hating you.
A mother is not a person to lean on, but a person to make leaning unnecessary.
The Best, Which Touched:
When I came home in the rain,
My Brother Asked: Why U Didn’t take an Umbrella.
Sister:(Advised) why didn’t U wait till rain stopped.
Father(Angrily): Warned! only after getting cold, U will realize.
.
.
Mother: while drying my Hair, said,
“STUPID RAIN! couldn’t it wait, till my child came home.”
That's MAA (Mother)
M:MOST
O:ORIGNAL
T:TOPCLASS
H:HONOURABLE
E:EXCELLENT
R:RESPECTABLE
Who ran to help me when I fell,
And would some pretty story tell,
Or kiss the place to make it well?
My Mother.
Smiles of happy sunshine,
Arms of everlasting love,
Touch of sweet roses,
There is magic in the air
Whenever You are there,
Mother, everything to U I owe,
May all pleasures of life come your way.
When u feel u r alone in a crowd,
when u think no one can understand u,
when u think your love is rejected by others,
and when u hate your life just close your eyes and think about her who loves u truly,cares for u in your loneliness, dies when u cry,
she is no one else but MOM
The love she has deep in her heart,
Always gives me a good jump start,
She is the one who’s love is true,
Thank u Mom for being u.
The Miracle of Life
Nurtured by a woman
Who gave us
Love and sacrifice…
is “MOTHER”
When you feel you are alone in the Crowd,
When you Think No one can Understand you,
When your love is rejected by others,
& when your hate your Life,
Just Close your eyes,
& see,Her face who Loves you,
More than any one else,
Who Care for you in loneliness,
& dies when you cry.
She is no One,
But your Sweet Loving Mother.
Love your mom first
Being a full-time mother is
one of the highest salaried jobs…
since the payment is pure love.
Once upon a memory
Someone wiped away a tear
Held me close and loved me,
Thank you, dear Mother
If I have never said thank you for bringing me into the world I'd like to do that now.
The sweetest sounds to mortals given are heard in Mother, Home, and
Heaven.
Never marry a man who hates his mother, because he'll end up hating you.
A mother is not a person to lean on, but a person to make leaning unnecessary.
The Best, Which Touched:
When I came home in the rain,
My Brother Asked: Why U Didn’t take an Umbrella.
Sister:(Advised) why didn’t U wait till rain stopped.
Father(Angrily): Warned! only after getting cold, U will realize.
.
.
Mother: while drying my Hair, said,
“STUPID RAIN! couldn’t it wait, till my child came home.”
That's MAA (Mother)
HOW DO YOU DECIDE WHOM TO MARRY? (written by kids)
You got to find somebody who likes the same stuff.. Like, if you like sports, she should like it that you like sports, and she should keep the chips and dip coming.
-- Alan, age 10
No person really decides before they grow up who they're going to marry. God decides it all way before, and you get to find out later who you're stuck with...
-- Kristen, age 10
WHAT IS THE RIGHT AGE TO GET MARRIED?
Twenty-three is the best age because you know the person FOREVER by then.
-- Camille, age 10
HOW CAN A STRANGER TELL IF TWO PEOPLE ARE MARRIED?
You might have to guess, based on whether they seem to be yelling at the same kids.
-- Derrick, age 8
WHAT DO YOU THINK YOUR MOM AND DAD HAVE IN COMMON?
Both don't want any more kids.
-- Lori, age 8
WHAT DO MOST PEOPLE DO ON A DATE?
Dates are for having fun, and people should use them to get to know each other. Even boys have something to say if you listen long enough...
-- Lynnette, age 8 (isn't she a treasure?)
On the first date, they just tell each other lies and that usually gets them interested enough to go for a second date.
-- Martin, age 10 (isn't he ready for the world of dating?)
WHAT WOULD YOU DO ON A FIRST DATE THAT WAS TURNING SOUR?
I'd run home and play dead. The next day I would call all the newspapers and make sure they wrote about me in all the dead columns.
-- Craig, age 9
WHEN IS IT OKAY TO KISS SOMEONE?
When they're rich.
-- Pam, age 7
The law says you have to be eighteen, so I wouldn't want to mess with that.
-- Curt, age 7
The rule goes like this: If you kiss someone, then you should marry them and have kids with them... It's the right thing to do.
-- Howard, age 8
IS IT BETTER TO BE SINGLE OR MARRIED?
It's better for girls to be single but not for boys.. Boys need someone to clean up after them.
-- Anita, age 9 (bless you child)
HOW WOULD THE WORLD BE DIFFERENT IF PEOPLE DIDN'T GET MARRIED?
There sure would be a lot of kids to explain, wouldn't there?
-- Kelvin, age 8 (I like this kid)
HOW WOULD YOU MAKE A MARRIAGE WORK?
Tell your wife that she looks pretty, even if she looks like a truck.
-- Ricky, age 10 (He'll be married forever)
You got to find somebody who likes the same stuff.. Like, if you like sports, she should like it that you like sports, and she should keep the chips and dip coming.
-- Alan, age 10
No person really decides before they grow up who they're going to marry. God decides it all way before, and you get to find out later who you're stuck with...
-- Kristen, age 10
WHAT IS THE RIGHT AGE TO GET MARRIED?
Twenty-three is the best age because you know the person FOREVER by then.
-- Camille, age 10
HOW CAN A STRANGER TELL IF TWO PEOPLE ARE MARRIED?
You might have to guess, based on whether they seem to be yelling at the same kids.
-- Derrick, age 8
WHAT DO YOU THINK YOUR MOM AND DAD HAVE IN COMMON?
Both don't want any more kids.
-- Lori, age 8
WHAT DO MOST PEOPLE DO ON A DATE?
Dates are for having fun, and people should use them to get to know each other. Even boys have something to say if you listen long enough...
-- Lynnette, age 8 (isn't she a treasure?)
On the first date, they just tell each other lies and that usually gets them interested enough to go for a second date.
-- Martin, age 10 (isn't he ready for the world of dating?)
WHAT WOULD YOU DO ON A FIRST DATE THAT WAS TURNING SOUR?
I'd run home and play dead. The next day I would call all the newspapers and make sure they wrote about me in all the dead columns.
-- Craig, age 9
WHEN IS IT OKAY TO KISS SOMEONE?
When they're rich.
-- Pam, age 7
The law says you have to be eighteen, so I wouldn't want to mess with that.
-- Curt, age 7
The rule goes like this: If you kiss someone, then you should marry them and have kids with them... It's the right thing to do.
-- Howard, age 8
IS IT BETTER TO BE SINGLE OR MARRIED?
It's better for girls to be single but not for boys.. Boys need someone to clean up after them.
-- Anita, age 9 (bless you child)
HOW WOULD THE WORLD BE DIFFERENT IF PEOPLE DIDN'T GET MARRIED?
There sure would be a lot of kids to explain, wouldn't there?
-- Kelvin, age 8 (I like this kid)
HOW WOULD YOU MAKE A MARRIAGE WORK?
Tell your wife that she looks pretty, even if she looks like a truck.
-- Ricky, age 10 (He'll be married forever)
Friday, April 2, 2010
Cardiovascular disease in India and the impact of lifestyle and food habits
Cardiovascular disease in India and the impact of lifestyle and food habits
(Source :- Expresshealthcaremgmt.com)
Cardiovascular disease is the world's leading killer, accounting for 16.7 million or 29.2 per cent of total global deaths in 2003. With modernization, a large proportion of Asians are trading healthy traditional diets for fatty foods, physical jobs for deskbound sloth, the relative calm of the countryside for the stressful city. Heart-attack victims are just the first wave of a swelling population of Asians with heart problems. While deaths from heart attacks have declined more than 50 per cent since the 1960s in many industrialize countries, 80 per cent of global cardiovascular diseases related deaths now occur in low and middle-income nations, which covers most countries in Asia.
In India in the past five decades, rates of coronary disease among urban populations have risen from 4 per cent to 11 per cent.
In urban China, the death rate from coronary disease rose by 53.4 per cent from 1988 to 1996. A report released last week by the Earth Institute at Columbia University warned that without sustained effort on individual and national levels, the coming heart-disease epidemic will exact a devastating price on the region's physical and economic health. In Professor Philip Poole-Wilson, president of the World Heart Federation words. "We're trying to warn people sufficiently early so that they can do something about it, but this isn't a disease you can cure by turning on an electric switch."
The World Health Organization (who) estimates that 60 per cent of the world's cardiac patients will be Indian by 2010. Dr Timothy Gill, an Asia-Pacific specialist with the International Obesity Task Force, a medical NGO that coordinates with the WHO on obesity issues feels that of all Asians, South Asians have by far the worst problems when it comes to heart disease. Nearly 50 per cent of CVD-related deaths in India occur below the age of 70, compared with just 22 per cent in the West. This trend is particularly alarming because of its potential impact on one of Asia's fastest-growing economies. In 2000, for example, India lost more than five times as many years of economically productive life to cardiovascular disease than did the U.S., where most of those killed by heart disease are above retirement age.
Studies indicate that South Asians have elevated levels of LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, while also suffering from a deficiency in HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol, which helps clear fatty buildups from blood vessels). In addition, South Asians tend to gain weight in the abdominal region (Waist: hip ratio >1.0 in men, >0.9 in women) and are at greater risk of heart disease. Environmental factor like low birth weight, malnutrition also possibly predisposes Indians to increased risk of diabetes and heart attacks in adulthood.
Statistics suggest that South Asians seem more naturally vulnerable to heart disease than other ethnic groups. Lancet 2000 study showed that, even after adjusting for all known risk factors; South Asians in Canada appeared to have a higher rate of heart disease than Europeans or Chinese living there. Some doctors think that this vulnerability can be explained by the "thrifty-gene" theory, which holds that South Asians adapted over many generations to the region's frequent famines. Now with a very recent overabundance of food, their bodies are having difficulty making a metabolic U-turn and the result is high insulin intolerance, with accompanying raised levels of diabetes and obesity.
The 10 leading selected risk factors for death and disability, by type of country as given by WHO:
High-mortality developing countriesLow-mortality Developed countriesDeveloped countries
1 UnderweightAlcohol consumptionTobacco consumption
2 Unsafe sexual practicesHigh blood pressureHigh blood pressure
3 Unsafe water, poor sanitation Tobacco consumptionAlcohol consumption
and poor hygiene
4 Indoor smoke from solid fuelsUnderweightHigh cholesterol level
5 Zinc deficiencyOverweightOverweight
6 Iron deficiencyHigh cholesterol levelLow fruit and vegetable intake
7 Vitamin A deficiencyLow fruit and vegetable intakePhysical inactivity
8 High blood pressureIndoor smoke from solid fuelsIllicit drug use
9 Tobacco consumptionIron deficiencyUnsafe sexual practices
10 High cholesterol levelUnsafe water, poor sanitation and poor hygieneIron deficiency
Some new markers have been identified: Nearly 95 percent of people who developed a fatal cardiovascular disease had at least one of these major risk factors: high blood cholesterol, high blood pressure, smoking, diabetes besides a poor diet and overweight. But it can also develop in the absence of any traditional risk factors and evidence is accumulating that several other risk factors may help predict or contribute to cardiovascular disease.
Among the leading new potential culprits: C-reactive protein (CRP), Homocysteine, Fibrinogen, Lipoprotein (a). Information about how these four substances are connected to cardiovascular disease is still emerging, and researchers continue to debate their importance. Indeed, there's much to be learned before screening for these substances becomes as routine as getting the blood pressure or cholesterol checked. Routine screening of the general public for these markers is not recommended but there may be a role for screening in people who have a strong family history of cardiovascular disease, have early onset disease with no apparent traditional risk factors, or whose disease isn't well controlled despite optimal management of traditional risk factors. It's not clear yet what role these four substances play in predicting or causing disease and testing for these substances isn't fully standardized. There is hope that they may help lead to additional prevention and treatment strategies for cardiovascular disease.
C-reactive protein : (CRP) is a protein produced by the liver as part of the normal immune system response to injury or infection. CRP is an inflammatory marker and inflammation has a central role in atherosclerosis the accumulation of plaques of fats, cholesterol and other material in the arteries. High levels of CRP in the blood have been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, including heart attack and stroke. But it's not clear if CRP actually causes heart disease or is just a sign of inflammation, which may cause heart disease. The AHA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend CRP screening for an intermediate risk a 10 percent to 20 percent chance of developing coronary heart disease in the next 10 years. Low risk: Less than 1 mg/L, Average risk: 1 to 3 mg/L, High risk: Over 3 mg/L. If the CRP is greater than 10 mg/L, it's likely the result of an infection or other condition and isn't useful in assessing the cardiovascular risk and the test should be repeated in about two weeks, or after the infection is gone, to assess cardiovascular
Homocysteine: It is an amino acid normally present in the blood and is utilized by the body to make protein and to build and maintain tissue. Studies indicate a link between high plasma levels of homocysteine and an increased risk of stroke, certain types of heart disease, and peripheral vascular disease. Raised levels may be associated with four times higher risk than normal homocysteine levels. The exact mechanism of its action isn't clear and as with CRP, it's not known if homocysteine is a cause of cardiovascular disease or a marker of its presence. Recent work suggests that increased homocysteine levels may eventually cause the tissues lining arteries to thicken and scar. Cholesterol can build up in those scarred areas, providing a surface for blood clots to form. There's no consensus on what homocysteine levels are optimal, but in general, less than 12 micromoles is desirable. Readings in healthy people can range between 5 and 15 micromoles. Elevated homocysteine levels can be decreased by dietary supplementation of folate, vitamin B.
Fibrinogen: Although fibrinogen is needed for normal blood clotting, its excess may promote excessive clumping of platelets and can result in thrombosis in an artery, leading to a heart attack or stroke. Besides inactivity, excessive alcohol consumption and estrogens, whether from birth control pills or hormone therapy, which elevate fibrinogen, smoking is the most significant lifestyle factor that raises fibrinogen levels. The normal range for blood (serum) fibrinogen is 200 to 400 mg/dL, and levels around 400 mg/dL is associated with a twofold increase in risk of heart attack or stroke.
Lipoprotein(a): It's formed when a low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol particle attaches to a specific protein. Studies show that an increased level of Lp(a) is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular complications, including early coronary heart disease, heart attack and stroke. Elevated Lp(a) level, generally do not respond to most lipid lowering agents but niacin, omega-3 fatty acids or estrogen may help in some cases.
Deaths from cardiovascular diseases, principally acute myocardial infarction and cerebrovascular accidents, have decreased substantially over the past two decades, largely as a result of advances in acute care and cardiac surgery, aggressive antihypertensive therapy, the recognition of the hazards of tobacco abuse, improved nutritional patterns coupled with a decrease in cholesterol values in the general population, and an increased emphasis on physical activity.
However, these developments have produced a growing population of patients who have survived a myocardial infarction or who have a stable, if not controlled, pattern of angina pectoris due to atherosclerotic coronary artery disease. These patients, and those with peripheral vascular disease, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes mellitus, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, are potential participants and likely benefactors of heart smart strategies that include change in dietary habits and cardiac-rehabilitation programs. These techniques are particularly useful in the Indian context where the semi urban and rural population is largely unaware about the importance of lifestyle techniques in prevention of cardiovascular disease.
Cardiac rehabilitation is a medically supervised exercise and counseling program designed to help overcome some of the physical complications of heart disease, limit the risk of developing additional heart trouble, help a person return to an active social or work schedule, and improve the psychological well-being. It has four main components: Medical evaluation, supervised exercise, lifestyle education and psychosocial support. Cardiac rehabilitation takes time at least six months and it's not always easy. It's also not suited for everyone with a heart problem, and the results may vary for reasons beyond the participant's control.
(Source :- Expresshealthcaremgmt.com)
Cardiovascular disease is the world's leading killer, accounting for 16.7 million or 29.2 per cent of total global deaths in 2003. With modernization, a large proportion of Asians are trading healthy traditional diets for fatty foods, physical jobs for deskbound sloth, the relative calm of the countryside for the stressful city. Heart-attack victims are just the first wave of a swelling population of Asians with heart problems. While deaths from heart attacks have declined more than 50 per cent since the 1960s in many industrialize countries, 80 per cent of global cardiovascular diseases related deaths now occur in low and middle-income nations, which covers most countries in Asia.
In India in the past five decades, rates of coronary disease among urban populations have risen from 4 per cent to 11 per cent.
In urban China, the death rate from coronary disease rose by 53.4 per cent from 1988 to 1996. A report released last week by the Earth Institute at Columbia University warned that without sustained effort on individual and national levels, the coming heart-disease epidemic will exact a devastating price on the region's physical and economic health. In Professor Philip Poole-Wilson, president of the World Heart Federation words. "We're trying to warn people sufficiently early so that they can do something about it, but this isn't a disease you can cure by turning on an electric switch."
The World Health Organization (who) estimates that 60 per cent of the world's cardiac patients will be Indian by 2010. Dr Timothy Gill, an Asia-Pacific specialist with the International Obesity Task Force, a medical NGO that coordinates with the WHO on obesity issues feels that of all Asians, South Asians have by far the worst problems when it comes to heart disease. Nearly 50 per cent of CVD-related deaths in India occur below the age of 70, compared with just 22 per cent in the West. This trend is particularly alarming because of its potential impact on one of Asia's fastest-growing economies. In 2000, for example, India lost more than five times as many years of economically productive life to cardiovascular disease than did the U.S., where most of those killed by heart disease are above retirement age.
Studies indicate that South Asians have elevated levels of LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, while also suffering from a deficiency in HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol, which helps clear fatty buildups from blood vessels). In addition, South Asians tend to gain weight in the abdominal region (Waist: hip ratio >1.0 in men, >0.9 in women) and are at greater risk of heart disease. Environmental factor like low birth weight, malnutrition also possibly predisposes Indians to increased risk of diabetes and heart attacks in adulthood.
Statistics suggest that South Asians seem more naturally vulnerable to heart disease than other ethnic groups. Lancet 2000 study showed that, even after adjusting for all known risk factors; South Asians in Canada appeared to have a higher rate of heart disease than Europeans or Chinese living there. Some doctors think that this vulnerability can be explained by the "thrifty-gene" theory, which holds that South Asians adapted over many generations to the region's frequent famines. Now with a very recent overabundance of food, their bodies are having difficulty making a metabolic U-turn and the result is high insulin intolerance, with accompanying raised levels of diabetes and obesity.
The 10 leading selected risk factors for death and disability, by type of country as given by WHO:
High-mortality developing countriesLow-mortality Developed countriesDeveloped countries
1 UnderweightAlcohol consumptionTobacco consumption
2 Unsafe sexual practicesHigh blood pressureHigh blood pressure
3 Unsafe water, poor sanitation Tobacco consumptionAlcohol consumption
and poor hygiene
4 Indoor smoke from solid fuelsUnderweightHigh cholesterol level
5 Zinc deficiencyOverweightOverweight
6 Iron deficiencyHigh cholesterol levelLow fruit and vegetable intake
7 Vitamin A deficiencyLow fruit and vegetable intakePhysical inactivity
8 High blood pressureIndoor smoke from solid fuelsIllicit drug use
9 Tobacco consumptionIron deficiencyUnsafe sexual practices
10 High cholesterol levelUnsafe water, poor sanitation and poor hygieneIron deficiency
Some new markers have been identified: Nearly 95 percent of people who developed a fatal cardiovascular disease had at least one of these major risk factors: high blood cholesterol, high blood pressure, smoking, diabetes besides a poor diet and overweight. But it can also develop in the absence of any traditional risk factors and evidence is accumulating that several other risk factors may help predict or contribute to cardiovascular disease.
Among the leading new potential culprits: C-reactive protein (CRP), Homocysteine, Fibrinogen, Lipoprotein (a). Information about how these four substances are connected to cardiovascular disease is still emerging, and researchers continue to debate their importance. Indeed, there's much to be learned before screening for these substances becomes as routine as getting the blood pressure or cholesterol checked. Routine screening of the general public for these markers is not recommended but there may be a role for screening in people who have a strong family history of cardiovascular disease, have early onset disease with no apparent traditional risk factors, or whose disease isn't well controlled despite optimal management of traditional risk factors. It's not clear yet what role these four substances play in predicting or causing disease and testing for these substances isn't fully standardized. There is hope that they may help lead to additional prevention and treatment strategies for cardiovascular disease.
C-reactive protein : (CRP) is a protein produced by the liver as part of the normal immune system response to injury or infection. CRP is an inflammatory marker and inflammation has a central role in atherosclerosis the accumulation of plaques of fats, cholesterol and other material in the arteries. High levels of CRP in the blood have been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, including heart attack and stroke. But it's not clear if CRP actually causes heart disease or is just a sign of inflammation, which may cause heart disease. The AHA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend CRP screening for an intermediate risk a 10 percent to 20 percent chance of developing coronary heart disease in the next 10 years. Low risk: Less than 1 mg/L, Average risk: 1 to 3 mg/L, High risk: Over 3 mg/L. If the CRP is greater than 10 mg/L, it's likely the result of an infection or other condition and isn't useful in assessing the cardiovascular risk and the test should be repeated in about two weeks, or after the infection is gone, to assess cardiovascular
Homocysteine: It is an amino acid normally present in the blood and is utilized by the body to make protein and to build and maintain tissue. Studies indicate a link between high plasma levels of homocysteine and an increased risk of stroke, certain types of heart disease, and peripheral vascular disease. Raised levels may be associated with four times higher risk than normal homocysteine levels. The exact mechanism of its action isn't clear and as with CRP, it's not known if homocysteine is a cause of cardiovascular disease or a marker of its presence. Recent work suggests that increased homocysteine levels may eventually cause the tissues lining arteries to thicken and scar. Cholesterol can build up in those scarred areas, providing a surface for blood clots to form. There's no consensus on what homocysteine levels are optimal, but in general, less than 12 micromoles is desirable. Readings in healthy people can range between 5 and 15 micromoles. Elevated homocysteine levels can be decreased by dietary supplementation of folate, vitamin B.
Fibrinogen: Although fibrinogen is needed for normal blood clotting, its excess may promote excessive clumping of platelets and can result in thrombosis in an artery, leading to a heart attack or stroke. Besides inactivity, excessive alcohol consumption and estrogens, whether from birth control pills or hormone therapy, which elevate fibrinogen, smoking is the most significant lifestyle factor that raises fibrinogen levels. The normal range for blood (serum) fibrinogen is 200 to 400 mg/dL, and levels around 400 mg/dL is associated with a twofold increase in risk of heart attack or stroke.
Lipoprotein(a): It's formed when a low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol particle attaches to a specific protein. Studies show that an increased level of Lp(a) is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular complications, including early coronary heart disease, heart attack and stroke. Elevated Lp(a) level, generally do not respond to most lipid lowering agents but niacin, omega-3 fatty acids or estrogen may help in some cases.
Deaths from cardiovascular diseases, principally acute myocardial infarction and cerebrovascular accidents, have decreased substantially over the past two decades, largely as a result of advances in acute care and cardiac surgery, aggressive antihypertensive therapy, the recognition of the hazards of tobacco abuse, improved nutritional patterns coupled with a decrease in cholesterol values in the general population, and an increased emphasis on physical activity.
However, these developments have produced a growing population of patients who have survived a myocardial infarction or who have a stable, if not controlled, pattern of angina pectoris due to atherosclerotic coronary artery disease. These patients, and those with peripheral vascular disease, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes mellitus, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, are potential participants and likely benefactors of heart smart strategies that include change in dietary habits and cardiac-rehabilitation programs. These techniques are particularly useful in the Indian context where the semi urban and rural population is largely unaware about the importance of lifestyle techniques in prevention of cardiovascular disease.
Cardiac rehabilitation is a medically supervised exercise and counseling program designed to help overcome some of the physical complications of heart disease, limit the risk of developing additional heart trouble, help a person return to an active social or work schedule, and improve the psychological well-being. It has four main components: Medical evaluation, supervised exercise, lifestyle education and psychosocial support. Cardiac rehabilitation takes time at least six months and it's not always easy. It's also not suited for everyone with a heart problem, and the results may vary for reasons beyond the participant's control.
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