BLOG 502 ATRIAL FIBRILLATION

BLOG 502 ATRIAL FIBRILLATION

Our heart is at work literally 24/7 for us and without it doing this constant job for us, well, we know the consequences. An irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia) can pose complications that increase the risk of having a stroke or even heart failure. It can be frightening for someone and can also impact their daily living. Atrial fibrillation (A-fib) is a type of arrythmia that causes a rapid heartbeat, and the person will notice their heart rate is abnormally high. It may come and go or be persistent. Either way, A-fib poses the threat of being chronic. The irregularity of the condition is what troubles many people and complicates treatment.

When atrial fibrillation is happening, the upper chambers (atria) of the heart and the lower chambers (ventricles) are beating out of sync. Some people experience no symptoms at all, while others may get short of breath, have fast heartbeat palpitations, have chest pain, feel lightheaded, not be able to exercise, and/or feel weak. Having A-fib and episodes associated with it are not life threatening, but treatment is needed to prevent strokes.

The heart has 4 chambers. The upper 2 are called the atria and the lower 2 are called the ventricles. The upper right atrium contains a group of cells called the sinus node. The normal heart rate range is between 60 and 100 bpm. The A-fib heart rate can range from 100 to 175 bpm. The sinus node is the heart’s pacemaker. Its job is to produce the signals that orchestrate each heartbeat to take place. Normal conduction takes place as follows:

1.       The sinus node signal travels to the 2 upper atria.

2.       The signal travels through a chamber that connects the atria and ventricles called the atrioventricular node (AV node).

3.       The signal tells the heart to contract which is a squeezing action that sends blood to the heart.

However, when A-fib takes places, the signals that begin in the upper chamber get chaotic. This makes the upper chamber shake. The AV node has mixed signals coming in as it’s trying to connect with the ventricles. This is what leads to the irregular heartbeat that is fast.

Causation for having A-fib could possibly be from having high blood pressure, having had a heart attack, prior heart surgery, a heart defect, family history, obesity, sleep apnea, thyroid disease (hyperthyroidism), heart valve problems, alcohol, stimulants, and/or viral infections. Some of these risks are controllable lifestyle factors, while others are not.

Treatment could involve medications, surgery, and/or cardioversion which resets the heart rhythm. Medication includes beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, blood thinners, digoxin which can help control heart rate mainly at rest but not during activity, and/or anti-arithmetic medications. Cardioversion can be done electrically or via drugs. Electrical cardioversion shocks the heart to reset rhythm. Drugs can be administered through IV or by mouth. Surgery could involve a cardiac ablation which uses extreme heat or cold to create scars in the heart that will block the abnormal signals. A doctor might also insert a catheter to do this which has hot and cold sensors on it. There are two types of ablations that can take place. AV node ablation involves destroying the electrical signal connection all together. A pacemaker will then be needed for life. Sometimes A-fib can come back after an ablation so it will have to be repeated, or another form of treatment will need to take place. The other surgery is a maze procedure which is when the heat or cold is used to create a scar tissue pattern (maze) in the upper chambers which will interfere with the heart signals that cause A-fib to occur. This is open-heart surgery.

The heart is at constant work and when it has any complications, we know not to ignore them, or we may not be here to see tomorrow. Heart health is vital, and we need to do what we can to be advocated for our health and we need to live in a way the supports rather than jeopardize our wellness. Diet and exercise are pertinent and eliminating habits that compromise your health needs to happen. Temporary satisfaction is not worth a lifetime of poor-quality living as a result. Don’t beat your heart up or it won’t beat for you.

 

BLOG 501 TAKING BREAKS

BLOG 501 TAKING BREAKS

Sometimes in life we decide to take a break from activities, people, places, and things. This is taking a pause which means not being involved with something/someone for a period. A break means you will return to the activity, person, place, or thing that you took the break from. This is opposed to stopping and not returning which would be a “break up”. A break can be a dangerous decision when there is not a definite return date. Having a vague or approximate return date leaves room for procrastination, distraction, and taking part in alternatives choices (good or bad). There are several reasons a person might choose to take a break from something or someone.

Feeling a sense of burnout can influence the decision to take a break. You could feel like all your time, energy, and focus is on this one thing or person. The all-consuming pressure to uphold what is currently happening is difficult to imagine sustaining for the projected future. The thing or person has caused missing out on other parts of life that you desire to include. There isn’t a balance anymore. You want to test what it would feel like without the presence of the thing or person in your life. You have not decided to fully subtract or end this part of your life, but the readiness or attachment isn’t one hundred percent clear to you. Finances can be part of this. Maybe the cost is impactful, so you want to try to save the expense for a time.

Being able to do something on your own without the thing or person can be a factor. For example, you want to see if you would be okay single for a time. You want to see if you can exercise by yourself for a time. You want to see if you like something/someone better. The comparison can take place during a break. Pros and cons can be measured. Alternatives can be investigated.

A break is trying something without that thing or person/people for an allotted time. This might be 30 days of no alcohol. This could be 5 months of leave from work. Breaks can be set for a time. When there is not a set time, a break can be for however long and sometimes that break leads to a non-return. The term break can also ease the blow or termination. For example, rather than end a relationship, you take a break.

Sometimes taking a break can be self-destructive. You take a break from working out, maybe for a vacation. Then you must motivate yourself as you tell yourself when you are going to start again and actually follow through. You can leave something or someone up in the air about your return, so the break can be selfish because of your indecision. On the other hand, you could have no intention of returning and out of fear or ease, you just don’t want to tell that place/person you aren’t coming back.

The bottom line is that a break can be both good and bad. It can be eye-opening or self-sabotage. It can be shorter or longer than you thought. It can be forever. It can be an excuse or lie or out of avoidance. If you have ever been on the receiving end of a relationship when someone says they want a break, you are well aware of the uncertainty in the air. The “stay tuned” or “to be continued” makes a break unclear. Sometimes waiting to see what happens puts life in a place where confidence in truth is tested. “Be careful or it will break”, may be the sign of caution we need when it comes to taking breaks.

BLOG 500 BROCCOLI & CAULIFLOWER

BLOG 500 BROCCOLI & CAULIFLOWER

Eating our vegetables is a common early lesson we learn about nutrition. Some of us didn’t get dessert until we ate all the vegetables on our plate. Broccoli and cauliflower are two types of veggies often consumed together and are considered part of a healthy diet. They both are cruciferous vegetables, which are a family of foods that come from the Brassica genus. They have the flower type shape coming out of the stem. There’s plenty of good reasons to eat broccoli and cauliflower, which are very similar but also have some differences between them. What’s best about both of them is that they’re both low in calories (about 30 calories per one cup) and packed with nutrition, most notably having a good amount of fiber.

Either can be eaten raw, cooked, fresh, or frozen. There are many recipes and dishes that incorporate them. They are often used on appetizer platters, for snacks, on salads, and can even be swapped out for certain grains. Cauliflower has become popular replacing pizza crust and rice. Either can be enjoyed in practically any sauce or dip like hummus. Baked or sautéed, either can please an array of tastebuds.

Some of the benefits of eating broccoli and cauliflower include all of the micronutrients they contain which are copper, potassium, folate, and manganese. They are also high in vitamin C, which is important for bone health, wound healing, and having a strong immune system. To be more detailed, broccoli is higher in vitamins C and K, but cauliflower has more vitamin B and vitamin B-6.

Another reason to eat broccoli and cauliflower is because they are high in sulforaphane and indole-3-carbinol. Therse are sulfur-rich antioxidants that help ward off chronic disease, reduce inflammation, and prevent cellular damage. Broccoli is high in lutein and zeaxanthin which are good for eye health. Cauliflower contains other important antioxidants which are vanillic acid, protocatechuic acid, and coumaric acid.

Again, they both have nearly 2 grams of fiber (broccoli 2.5 grams) in a one cup serving, which is helpful for digestion, heart health, and controlling blood sugar. We might prefer one more than the other. We might prefer them prepared a certain way. We might not even like them at all. In any case, the nutritional benefits are irrefutable. We can refuse to eat our vegetables, but we can’t refuse why they should be part of our diet.

BLOG 499 BLOOD PRESSURE 101

BLOG 499 BLOOD PRESSURE 101

A yearly physical or even just a normal visit to the doctor can involve having your blood pressure checked. Not everyone understands why or how important this information can be. Understanding the basics about blood pressure can lead to making better health decisions. This first piece of information to learn is that the top number is called systolic pressure and the bottom number is called diastolic pressure.

When having blood pressure checked, the doctor will put an inflatable cuff around the upper arm. Then they will use a stethoscope to listen to the blood moving through the arteries. The doctor will inflate the cuff which will cause it to tighten around the arm. As the cuff becomes deflated, the doctor will listen through the stethoscope to determine systolic blood pressure. When the noise that goes away from the deflation stops, the doctor can then take the diastolic reading.

A normal systolic pressure is below 120. When the heart beats, it squeezes and pushes blood through the arteries to be carried to parts of the body. This creates forceful pressure on the blood pressure, and systolic pressure is the reading of that amount of force. If the reading shows between 120-129, this is considered elevated. A reading of 130-139 is considered hypertension, which is stage one of high blood pressure. A reading of 140 or more is considered stage 2 high blood pressure. Finally, a reading of 180 or more may be a medical emergency and one should go the hospital immediately.

A normal diastolic pressure is lower than 80. This is determined by the amount of pressure in the arteries that exists when the heart quickly rests between beats. During this “rest” the heart is filling up with blood and getting oxygen. Even though a normal reading is below 80, if systolic pressure reads between 120 and 129, a person can still have high blood pressure. A reading of 80-89 is considered stage 1 hypertension, 90 or more is stage 2 hypertension, and 120 or more is a medical emergency in which one should go to the hospital immediately.

Depending on the reading, a doctor will just check each year at a physical or if there is any indication of elevation may ask for the person to have it checked every 3 to 6 months. They might even recommend an easy at home monitor. A good reading requires abstaining from smoking, exercise, or caffeine at least 30 minutes prior. Checking it at the same time of day is also important. The person should be sitting in a chair with both feet on the floor and a doctor can should the proper arm positions. Blood pressure can be a silent killer, so it is important to be aware. Untreated high blood pressure can result in stoke, heart attack, or kidney damage.

BLOG 498 STROKE

BLOG 498 STROKE

A stroke occurs when the blood supply to the brain is blocked or reduced. Every minute counts when it comes to helping or saving someone who might be having a stroke. The warning signs of a stroke include the acronym FAST:

F – face- when the person smiles do one of the side droop?

A – arms – when the arms are raised does one arm drop down?

S – speech – when making a short statement does the person slur or speak strangely?

T – time – answers are yes then someone needs to call 911 immediately.

A stroke can happen gradually or suddenly. It is important to know that a stroke can happen to anyone at any time. Warning signs include:

1.       Confusion or trouble understanding people.

2.       Difficulty speaking.

3.       Numbness or stiffness in the arm, leg, or face, particularly on one side.

4.       Trouble seeing.

5.       Severe headache.

Although strokes can happen to anyone, there are certain circumstances that put one at higher risk. Some conditions can be prevented while others can’t be changed:

1.       Tobacco: Nicotine makes blood pressure go up. It thickens the blood and makes it more likely to clot.

2.       High blood pressure: If a person’s blood pressure is higher than 140/90 then a person is diagnosed with hypertension.

3.       Diabetes: This condition damages the blood vessels which make a stroke more likely to occur.

4.       Heart disease: A person might have a defective heart valve, irregular heartbeat, or atrial fibrillation which can all raise the risk of strokes.

5.       Being overweight: This increases the chance of stroke. The heart needs exercise.

6.       Age: The chances of a stroke double every decade after age 55.

7.       Medications: Some drugs such as blood thinners can made a stroke more likely because of bleeding.

8.       Gender: Men are more likely than women to have strokes.

9.       Family: Genetics can play a role, and strokes can be a common occurrence among relatives.

10.   Race: Strokes are more common among African Americans and Hispanic Americans.

When a stroke happens, the brain is not able to get enough oxygen. Without oxygen, the brain becomes damaged almost immediately. That is why getting help immediately is critical. A doctor will determine is a person had an ischemic stroke (the most common type) or a hemorrhagic stroke (bleeding in the brain). The brain and body can be paralyzed and damaged for life so every second helps. The bleeding needs to be stopped immediately. Understanding the cause of the stroke can help treat the symptoms and reduce the likelihood of reoccurrence. Self-health care is critical. Don’t wait until it is too late to make sure you have normal blood pressure, are in the normal weight range, and properly take care of any existing heart conditions.

BLOG 497 COLONOSCOPY

BLOG 497 COLONOSCOPY

The dreaded colonoscopy that makes its way into life as we age. The colon is a key player in our digestive tract that helps remove stool and keep our fluids and electrolytes balanced. This examination of the large intestine (colon) and rectum is used to look for changes/alterations in the body that possibly have developed/evolved with age. These changes could be cancer related; therefore, the American Cancer Association (ACS) recommends having a colonoscopy beginning at age 45 and then every 10 years after.

There’s good reason to be proactive and have this screening done. The major reason is to check for colon cancer. Another major reason is to look at the intestines, especially if the person has been experiencing abdominal pain, diarrhea, and/or other digestion issues. If a person has had polyps, a colonoscopy can be useful for monitoring these and checking on changes. Polyps are a clump of cells that develop on the lining of the colon. They’re usually harmless but can turn into cancer.

The preparation for this procedure is what most people don’t look forward to. The preparation takes place the day before the exam and that means not eating sold foods, just having a liquid diet. A doctor will also recommend taking a laxative in large volume either as a pill or more commonly, in liquid form. Depending on what medications you take, you may also have to pause them the day/night before. When a colonoscopy is done, usually the person is put under sedation or anesthesia and/or given pain medication to help with discomfort. When the procedure is done, a colonoscope is put into the rectum and is long enough to reach the colon. The scope has a light, and the doctor can pump water, air, and carbon dioxide into the colon. This inflates the colon so the doctor can see into the area better. The scope also has a tiny video camera at the tip so the doctor can examine further. The doctor can also insert tools on the scope to take tissue for biopsy.

Overall, the exam takes about an hour. You do need a ride home after because of the sedation. Feeling bloated or having gas after is normal. Sometimes the first bowel movement after can have some traces of blood. The doctor will then review the results A negative result means the colonoscopy won’t need to be repeated for another 10 years unless otherwise advised. However, a positive result could mean the doctor found polyps or abnormal tissue. In more detail, if a doctor finds one or two polyps that are less than 0.4 inch (1 centimeter) in diameter, they might recommend a repeat. The doctor might recommend a colonoscopy sooner if more than two polyps are found, a very large polyp larger than 0.4-inch, differing structures/characteristics with the polyps that pose health risks, and most certainly if there are cancerous polyps.

Having a colonoscopy is a proactive approach to health. Being reactive can sometimes be too late. A day or two of discomfort is worth experiencing versus a cancer diagnosis. Ongoing digestive issues are disruptive to daily life. Getting older has its cons, but we can ease the process by being more aware and involved with what are bodies need from us.

BLOG 496 CAKES

BLOG 496 CAKES

Celebrations call for cake being served. Gatherings usually have food and dessert often includes cake. Indulging in cake every now and then and sticking to one moderate portion-sized slice won’t take too much of a toll on your waistline. Some types of cakes do less damage than others. That might mean less shame as well. Baking is a creative activity and between icing, coloring, and design, cakes can be a masterpiece of their own. So which cakes are better diet-wise than others. Here’s the slice on this……

Healthier Cakes

Strawberry shortcake – If you use egg whites and less sugar, one slice is about 250 calories.

Flourless chocolate cake – This may not sound appealing, but one slice is about 150 calories and is gluten free and paleo.

Protein mug cake – This single serving concept is a great way to get your protein in. Add banana, protein powder, cinnamon, and egg whites, and in 250 calories you will fulfill your taste buds.

Unhealthier Cakes

Carrot cake: Even though it has vegetables in it, being healthy is not its forte. There are nuts too. However, carrot cake can have anywhere from 300 to 600 calories per slice plus lots of sugar and lots of fat.

Cheesecake – No kidding one slice can have up to 1,000 calories depending on type and where you get it from.

Red velvet cake – It has a lot of sugar and fat because of the icing and there is a lot of artificial coloring in it. One slice can have nearly 500 calories.

Pineapple upside down cake – Just because it has a fruit in its name doesn’t mean it is healthy. One slice can have 350 calories.

Swapping out certain ingredients for healthier options is one way to keep cake within reason. You can use yogurt, egg whites, and of course less sugar or add whole fruits for sweetness. A lot of us don’t ask questions when cake in on the table. We let our will power falter and then say it’s only one slice before we pick a little frosting off another piece. If it isn’t cake, well then, it’s cookies, cupcakes, or ice cream. Life is sweet and cake just makes it feel even sweeter.