Vigour – Health and Sports Nutrition

Sodium is an important mineral that plays a vital role in maintaining your health and well-being. Its excess quantity, however, may lead to numerous health problems such as high blood pressure, heart stroke, congestive heart failure, blindness and kidney problems. About 75% of sodium comes from processed foods. Canned vegetables have more salt than frozen or freshly prepared vegetables. Make sure that you look for the sodium content while reading the “nutrition facts” panel on canned or processed foods. Foods that contain less than 140 mg of sodium are low in salt.

Table salt is not the only form of sodium we consume, but there are other forms of sodium in food such as food additives like sodium benzoate and sodium nitrate, and baking soda. On average, adults consume more than 3,000 mg of sodium per day. The maximum recommended sodium intake for healthy adults is 2,200 mg per day (one teaspoon of salt).

It is important that you consume diets low in sodium to maintain a healthy blood pressure. You should also take a herbal supplement that supports the cardiovascular system. Bio Health GARLIC makes an effective remedy for the treatment of high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, chronic candidiasis, atherosclerosis, respiratory catarrh, common cold, cough and rhinitis. Garlic has been shown to reduce the formation of carcinogenic compounds, reducing the risk of stomach, oesophageal, and colon cancer. Moreover, it also increases fibrinolysis, and inhibits platelet stickiness, resulting in a slowing of blood coagulation. Take 1-2 tablets twice a day.

Aortic Dissection is a medical condition in which a small tear occurs in the inside layer of the aortic wall. The aorta is a large blood vessel that carries blood from the heart to the vital organs. Aortic Dissection is more common in men than women and it usually affects people aged 50 and above.

There are numerous factors that may lead to the aortic dissection. Over 60% cases are associated with high blood pressure. Other factors might include depression, physical trauma to chest, congenital abnormalities of the aortic valve, Turner syndrome, Marfan’s syndrome, pregnancy, syphilis, use of drugs especially cocaine and surgical complications.

The common symptoms of aortic dissection include chest pain, abdominal pain, abnormal pulse, nausea, vomiting, extreme fatigue, shortness of breath, night sweats, paraplegia, stroke, myocardial infarction, and congestive heart failure. Aortic Dissection is diagnosed with a chest x-ray, electrocardiogram, tomography aortic angiogram of the chest, echocardiography and magnetic resonance imaging.

Treatment options include beta blocker medications for lowering the blood pressure and a surgical procedure for repairing the damaged part of aorta. Aortic Dissection can be avoided by consuming heart-healthy foods and diets low in sodium, performing a regular physical activity, avoiding stress, and taking a dietary supplement that helps maintain the normal blood pressure.

HealthAid Cod Liver Oil 550mg is a popular brand on the market that contains DHA & EPA, which are omega 3 oils. These are beneficial for reducing the blood pressure and serum cholesterol levels, and maintaining the health of cardiovascular system, bones and flexible joints. Moreover, they also help reduce the symptoms associated with depression. HealthAid Cod Liver Oil also contains vitamins A & D, which play an important role in nourishing the skin, gums, hair and are also good for eye vision.

Pulmonary heart disease, also known as cor pulmonale, is a medical condition that is caused by an increased pressure on the lungs due to an inadequate flow of blood. This high pressure often leads to the enlargement of the right ventricle of the heart. If left untreated, pulmonary heart disease may lead to congestive heart failure, heart attack and death.

The symptoms of cor pulmonale include shortness of breath, chest pain, swelling of the ankles or abdomen or both, enlargement of facial veins, wet cough, palpitation, enlargement of the liver and bluish discolouration of face. The major causes of pulmonary heart disease include chronic hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction, loss of lung tissue due to trauma or surgery, hypertension, altitude sickness, sickle cell anaemia, COPD and obstructive sleep apnoea.
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Treatment options include blood thinning medications, drugs to relax the blood vessels in the lungs, nitrates to improve blood flow, phosphodiesterase inhibitors to improve heart contractility, calcium channel blockers and transplantation of lungs and heart. Patients of pulmonary heart disease should avoid smoking and dust. Moreover, they should wear a protective face mask to prevent inhalation of chemical gases and dust particles.

Patients of cor pulmonale should also use a dietary supplement that helps maintain the health of heart. Equazen Cardiozen Fish Oil is a popular brand that contains omega-3 long chain essential fatty acids particularly EPA in a natural triglyceride form. EPA is converted into prostaglandins by the body. These are hormone like substances that play an important role in maintaining a healthy cardiovascular system. Equazen also contains coenzyme Q 10 that helps produce energy within the cells of muscle tissue.

An aneurysm is an abnormal condition that is characterized by the bulge or swelling in a blood vessel wall. It usually develops in the shape of a tiny blood-filled grape at the point where a blood vessel branches. This small overgrowth can rupture by the force of pumping blood and may lead to death within minutes. Although an aneurysm can develop anywhere throughout the circulatory system, it particularly occurs in blood vessels of the brain and along the aorta.

There are numerous factors that may lead to the formation of aneurysms in the blood vessels. They include coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, weakening of blood vessels, age, physical trauma to head or chest, syphilis, infection, congenital aneurysm and polycystic kidney disease.

If left untreated, an aneurysm can lead to congestive heart failure, stroke, paralysis, kidney failure, heart attack, epilepsy, brain haemorrhage, impaired blood circulation, compression of nearby nerves and dissecting aneurysm.

Aneurysms can be diagnosed with physical examination, ultrasound, MRI and CT scans. Treatment options include stent insertion, blood pressure control, medication therapy and surgical repair of aneurysms.

Consumption of heart-healthy foods and a cardio-friendly supplement may help protect you against the risks of aneurysms and other heart conditions. Higher Nature Cardio is a popular brand on the market that contains heart nutrients to support a healthy heart and circulation. This supplement makes use of vitamins B-complex and E, antioxidants co-enzyme Q10, bromelain, arginine and tri-methyl glycine in its formulation. When combined with a regular cardio exercise routine and balanced diet, Higher Nature Cardio promotes healthy heart and arteries.

Hypertensive heart diseases refer to heart conditions caused by high blood pressure. Conditions that can be caused by high blood pressure include coronary heart disease, cardiac arrhythmias, congestive heart failure, left ventricular hypertrophy and hypertensive cardiomyopathy.

Congestive heart failure due to high blood pressure is one of the leading causes of death all around the globe. This condition occurs when the heart fails to supply sufficient blood to tissues and vital organs. Congestive heart failure is characterized by the swelling of legs, shortness of breath, and exercise intolerance. It is diagnosed with blood tests and echocardiography. Treatment includes medications and healthy lifestyle changes such as a combination of light cardio exercises and strength training, decreased fat and salt intake, and smoking and alcohol cessation.

It also makes a good idea to use a dietary supplement that helps maintain normal blood pressure. Vitabiotics Cardioace Healthy Heart & Circulation is a popular brand on the market that combines the benefits of omega-3 nutrients with antioxidants, garlic and important trace minerals.

It makes a comprehensive, researched based nutritional supplement for a healthy heart and circulation. Moreover, it also helps maintain the elasticity of blood vessels and healthy serum cholesterol levels. Omega-3 fatty acids play an important role in maintaining normal blood pressure and triglyceride levels. Garlic helps balance good cholesterol and maintains arterial health and normal blood pressure. Another benefit of Cardioace Healthy Heart is that it provides the nutritional building blocks for essential enzymes in heart health. Take one or two capsules per day with a full glass of water with your main meal.