Vigour – Health and Sports Nutrition

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.

Unhealthy eating habits and a lack of exercise tend to increase the blood cholesterol levels. If left untreated, excessive lipids begin to accumulate along the arterial walls, causing narrowing and hardening of the arteries. This progressive process slowly blocks arteries, thus reducing the blood flow to and from the heart. Blocked heart arteries may lead to heart stroke, heart attack, peripheral vascular disease and sudden heart failure.

Angioplasty is a non-surgical procedure in which a stent is placed to widen/open the blocked heart arteries. It is a highly skilful procedure that must be performed by a specialized cardiologist and a team of cardiovascular technicians and nurses. Although coronary angioplasty will open a blocked artery, remember that it will not cure atherosclerosis or coronary artery disease. Make sure that you bring healthy changes to your lifestyle by avoiding smoking and consumption of fatty foods. It is also important to incorporate an effective exercise regimen into your daily routine to improve your cardiac health.

You should also use a dietary supplement that helps maintain the health of your cardiovascular system and promotes a healthy blood circulation. Equazen Cardiozen Fish Oil is a popular brand on the market that contains 80% omega-3 long chain fatty acids particularly EPA. EPA is converted into hormone-like substances known as prostaglandins that help maintain the health of your heart. Equazen Cardiozen also contains coenzyme Q10 that plays an important role in the production of energy within the cells of heart muscle and other muscle tissues. Take one capsule per day with food. Do not exceed the recommended dose.

Cardiopathy or heart disease refers to a wide variety of diseases affecting either the muscle of heart or blood vessels leading to and from the heart.

The diseases that affect heart muscle and surrounding tissues include dilated cardiomyopathy, hypetrophic cardiomyopathy, ischaemic cardiomyopathy, valvular cardiomyopathy, alcoholic cardiomyopathy, hypertensive cardiomyopathy, myocardiodystrophy, congenital heart disease, arrhythmia and sudden cardiac failure.

The diseases that affect blood vessel system include atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, congestive cardiac failure and cardiac arrhythmias.

Cardiopathy is the second leading cause of death all around the globe. Keys to prevention include maintaining a healthy weight, performing a regular physical activity, controlling high blood pressure, lowering serum cholesterol levels, avoiding stress and depression, drinking alcohol in moderation, quitting smoking, and avoiding the consumption of fatty foods. Eating fibre-rich diets such as fruits, vegetables, cereals, nuts, seeds, pulses and legumes promotes a healthy cardiovascular system.

Moreover, consume a dietary supplement that helps maintain the health of heart muscle and blood vessel system. Lifeplan EFA Complex 750mg is a popular brand on the market that contains cold-pressed oils, combining evening primrose, starflower and fish oils. This supplement makes a rich source of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids which help maintain a healthy heart and blood circulation.

EFA Complex also produces hormone-like substances known as prostaglandins which help control physiological, metabolic and reproductive function. Moreover, this supplement makes your joints flexible and helps maintain a healthy skin. It does not make use of salt, starch, sugar, yeast, gluten, lactose, artificial colours, synthetic flavours and preservatives in its formulation.

There is no single cause for heart attack, but there are numerous risk factors that might increase your chance of developing it. Some of those factors are under your control and you can change them to avoid the risk of heart attack. However, some factors are non-modifiable.

The modifiable risk factors include consumption of fatty foods and diets high in sodium, obesity, high serum cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, smoking, depression, social isolation and a lack of physical activity. The risk factors which are not under your control include a family history of heart disease, diabetes, increasing age and gender (males are more susceptible to cardiovascular diseases than females).

You can reduce your overall risk of developing cardiovascular diseases by making healthy changes to your lifestyle. Make sure that you regularly consume a heart-friendly, balanced diet comprising of lean meats, vegetables, fruits, pulses, legumes, nuts, seeds and cereals. Avoid smoking and drink alcohol in moderation.

It also makes a good idea to regularly use a supplement that helps maintain the health of your cardiovascular system. Natures Aid Fish Oil 1000mg (Omega-3) is a popular brand on the market that supplements your diet with the important omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA which are found in many oily fish such as salmon, mackerel, trout etc. These omega-3 nutrients help maintain healthy arteries and blood circulation. They support healthy heart and keep serum cholesterol levels in check. Moreover, they keep your joints flexible, supple and healthy. Take 1-3 capsules per day.

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.

Arrhythmia, also known as cardiac dysrhythmia, is a medical condition that is characterized by an abnormal electrical activity of the heart. This problem is associated with the rhythm or speed of the heartbeat. Cardiac dysrhythmia is a serious medical problem and it may lead to life-threatening situations such as cardiac arrest, heart stroke, heart attack and heart failure.

People who have arrhythmia may feel symptoms like an abnormal rapid heart beat (palpitation), fatigue, extreme exhaustion, weakness, difficulty exercising, confusion, dizziness, shortness of breath, fainting and chest pain.

Cardiac dysrhythmia is diagnosed with a test known as EKG (electrocardiogram). EKG test examines the electrical waves your heart produces. Family history or medical history is also considered for making a diagnosis.

Treatment options may include medications, physical maneuvers, cryo cautery and procedures to restore normal rhythm.

In order to maintain the health of the heart and normal blood circulation, people should consume heart-healthy foods such as lean meats, nuts, seeds, fruits, vegetables, beans, and cereals and a supplement that promotes a healthy cardiovascular system. Higher Nature Cardio is a popular brand on the market that helps maintain a normal rhythm of heart and supports a healthy heart and circulation. It makes use of vitamin B6, Vitamin B12, folic acid, antioxidants, coenzyme Q10, arginine, bromelain and tri-methyl glycine in its formulation. B vitamins help maintain balanced homocysteine levels, coenzyme Q10 provides energy to cells and antioxidants help destroy free radicals in the body. Take 2 capsules twice a day, 2 hours after meals.

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.

Giant Cell Arteritis is a cardiovascular disorder that occurs due to the inflammation of the arteries. It is an autoimmune disease which means that your body’s own immune system mistakenly starts attacking cardiovascular system particularly lining of the arteries. Inflammation of the arteries is caused by the local deposition of antibodies and protein compounds.

The factors that may contribute to the development of this disease include ageing, genetic reasons (not yet well defined), stress, depression, hormonal imbalances, and alcohol consumption. The symptoms of giant cell arteritis include stabbing pains in head particularly at the back of the head, night sweats, fever, jaw claudication( aching in the jaws), loss of taste, tingling on the tongue, sudden painless loss of sight, double vision, pain in the temple area, fatigue, lethargy, weight loss, lack of appetite, and stiffness around the hip girdles and across the upper arms, shoulders and neck. In severe cases, one might experience a permanent visual loss, kidney failure, skin problems, tinnitus (noises in the ear), vertigo (dizziness), heart attack and brain stroke.

Giant Cell Arteritis is diagnosed with blood tests, biopsy of the temporal artery, examination of the retina, and thyroid function. Treatment includes oral steroids, intravenous steroids, and anti-inflammatory drugs. It also makes a good idea for patients to regularly take a dietary supplement that helps support a healthy cardiovascular system.

Cardiored Krill Oil Omega 3 is a popular brand on the market that makes use of omega-3 fatty acids and a naturally occurring antioxidant called astaxanthin in its formulation. This supplement helps maintain the health of the arteries and keeps the serum cholesterol levels in check. You should take 1-2 soft gelatine capsules daily.

Angina can be defined as the squeezing of chest that occurs when there is a reduced blood supply to the heart mainly due to the narrowing of coronary arteries. There are numerous treatment options for angina patients including medications, rest, coronary artery bypass graft and percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty.

Angina medications include nitroglycerin, beta blockers and calcium channel blockers. Nitroglycerin tablets are placed under tongue as they help relieve the symptoms of angina by reducing the oxygen demand of heart muscle.

Beta blockers help inhibit the effect of adrenaline on the cardiovascular system. They help reduce the heart muscle’s demand for oxygen by lowering the blood pressure, decreasing the heart rate and reducing the pumping force of heart muscle. Popular beta blockers include nadolol, atenolol, timolol, acebutolol, metoprolol and bisoprolol.

Calcium channel blockers help relieve coronary artery spasm and lower blood pressure. Examples include verapamil, nimodipine, felodipine, diltiazem and nifedipine.

There are numerous supplements available on the market, which help maintain the health of your cardiovascular system. Cardiored Krill Oil Omega 3 is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, most of which are attached to phospholipids. Not only does it help support a healthy heart, but it also contains a naturally occurring antioxidant called astaxanthin that destroys free radicals inside your body.

Krill oil is more bioavailable than fish oil and offers more advantages over traditional oil based omega-3 products. Another benefit of Cardiored Krill Oil is that it is naturally stable with 100% traceability. You should take 1-2 soft gelatine capsules daily.

Fat provides you with energy and you need to consume healthy fatty foods – - but not too much. Monounsaturated fats are considered “healthy” or “good” fats and you should consume them twice a week. Fish, seeds, nuts, olive oil and canola make great dietary sources of monounsaturated fats. They help reduce the levels of “bad cholesterol” or LDL (low density lipoprotein) cholesterol in the blood.

Trans fats and saturated fats, on the other hand, are considered “unhealthy” or “bad” fats. Animal products and butter contain lots of saturated fats and their consumption must be avoided. Trans fats can reduce the levels of “good cholesterol” or high density lipoprotein cholesterol in the blood. Moreover, they are also responsible for the formation of arterial plaque which can slow down the flow of blood to heart. Make sure that you cook foods in vegetable oils because they contain monounsaturated fats. You should regularly consume cod liver oils because they help maintain the health of your cardiovascular system.

Seven Seas Cod Liver Oil Plus Garlic is a popular brand on the market that contains pure cod liver oil omega-3 with garlic plus vitamins A, D and E. Not only does it help maintain a healthy heart and circulation, but it also maintains all around good health. It helps keep your joints flexible and supple and maintains the health of your skin, hair and nails. It is a gelatin-free supplement that offers quality control guarantee. You should consume one capsule a day with water or a cold drink.