Vigour – Health and Sports Nutrition

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.

A regular physical activity is essential for the health and well being of an individual. Numerous heart diseases are directly linked to a lack of physical exercise. Heart is a very important muscle in your body that requires exercise to stay healthy so that it can efficiently pump the blood with every heartbeat. It is advisable to stick to an effective exercise regimen to maintain the health of your cardiovascular system.

An effective exercise regimen should be comprised of a combination of cardio exercises and strength training workouts. Cardio or aerobic exercises include running on a treadmill, jogging, bicycling, swimming, skipping and stairs climbing. These exercises increase your heartbeat, which make your heart to pump the blood at a much faster pace. This, in turn, strengthens your heart muscles and arteries. Strength training exercises such as lunges, squats, deadlifts, shrugs and bench press help burn the calories and increase the size of your skeletal muscles.

You should also use a dietary supplement that promotes heart health and vitality. Vitabiotics Omega-H3 Multivitamins is a wide spectrum supplement with vitamins, amino acids, minerals, cod liver oil, garlic and ginseng. Cod liver oil is a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids that help maintain the health of your cardiovascular system.

Garlic helps maintain healthy blood pressure and balances cholesterol levels in the blood. Omega-H3 also contains B vitamins, folic acid, zinc and iron essential to the formation of red blood cells, which supply nutrients and oxygen to all over the body including heart.

Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) or Bad Cholesterol has negative effects on your cardiovascular health. Not only does it elevate your cholesterol levels, but it also makes you vulnerable to heart attack, coronary artery disease and atherosclerosis. There are many benefits of lowering LDL cholesterol, which are as follows:

First and foremost, it helps reduce the formation of new plaques and removes the existing plaques on the artery walls. Therefore, lowering your LDL cholesterol widens the arteries and promotes a smooth flow of blood.

Low LDL levels prevent the rupture of cholesterol plaques. This, in turn, helps prevent blood clot formation. A blood clot may block blood vessels, thus leading to a sudden heart attack. Moreover, lowering LDL also helps reduce risk of a heart stroke.

In order to reduce the Bad Cholesterol, make sure that you consume low-fat diets and perform cardio exercises on a regular basis. You should also opt for a medication therapy if your total cholesterol levels are high.

It also makes a good idea to use a heart-friendly dietary supplement on a regular basis. Cardiored Krill Oil Omega 3 is a popular brand on the market that helps support a healthy heart. It is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are attached to phospholipids. Moreover, it also contains a naturally occurring antioxidant called astaxanthin in its formulation. It is more bioavailable than ordinary fish oils and is naturally stable with 100% traceability. It helps reduce elevated cholesterol levels and maintains the health of your cardiovascular system.

A cerebrovascular accident or stroke occurs when blood supply to the brain cells is disrupted, causing a part of the brain or whole brain to die. A healthy nervous system is mandatory for your great physical health and well-being. Your central nervous system is made up of trillions of neurons and each neuron is specialized to conduct nerve impulses to and from the brain. Brain cell function requires a constant supply of glucose, nutrients and oxygen from the blood stream. In case of a stroke, blood flow to the brain is compromised due to a variety of reasons such as atherosclerosis, embolic stroke, blockage of an artery and cerebral haemorrhage

In order to minimize the risk of a stroke, make sure that you maintain normal blood pressure levels, cholesterol levels, and avoid depression. It is also important that you incorporate a regular physical activity into your daily routine. Cardiovascular exercises such as running on a treadmill and rope jumping help strengthen your cardiovascular as well as nervous system and you should perform those exercises on a regular basis.

It is also a good idea to use a supplement that promotes a great brain performance. Efamol Active 50 Omega-3 and Ginkgo contains a concentrate of omega-3 fish oil and the plant leaf extract Ginkgo Biloba, which are highly beneficial to look after brain activity and performance. Omega-3 is an essential fatty acid that maintains a healthy brain by transmitting messages between the nerves. Ginkgo Biloba helps maintain short term memory.

Moreover, Efamol also contains vitamins B 12 and folic acid, which support healthy brain and spinal function, maintain cells integrity and activate nerve cells. Another good thing about this supplement is that it is free from gluten, sugar, flavours, artificial colours and preservatives.

Maintaining a healthy heart will definitely help you live longer with your loved ones. A healthy cardiovascular system is a combination of a healthy life style and precautionary measures which you have to take throughout your life.

A healthy life style means that you need to eat sensibly along with following a regular light exercise routine. Make sure that you avoid eating red meat, butter, fast food, biscuits, pies and pastries. This not only will lower bad cholesterol in your blood stream, but will also help you maintain your weight. Perform a regular cardio or aerobic exercise at least 30 minutes a day. You can also do gardening, get your dog to take you for a walk or swim regularly. What ever exercise you choose, it should increase your heart rate and leave you slightly breathless.

Smoking is the major cause of COPD, strokes, heart attack and lung cancer and it must be avoided if you want to maintain a healthy heart. Moreover, alcohol does not make a healthy choice for your cardiovascular system either.

It is also important to lose your weight if you want to enjoy a healthy cardiovascular system throughout your life. Along with a fat-free diet plan and regular cardio exercise routine, make sure that you use a weight loss supplement such as Sci MX Diet Shake Meal Replacement Powder on a regular basis. Not only this supplement helps you lose your body fat, but also improves muscle tone and helps curb hunger between meals. It makes a wonderful gift for dieters who want to lose their fat without losing muscle tone. Diet Shake contains whey protein, niacin, folic acid, biotin, iodine, fibre and CLA. The latter makes a scientifically researched healthy fatty-acid which helps your body use fat for energy.