Archive for the ‘Heart Health’ Category

3 Dec 2010

Cold weather puts a strain on the heart

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Brrrr it’s cold out there… and with forecasters telling us that it is here for a couple of weeks, that fire and a good book are calling. But a word of warning the cold can also put a strain on your heart by making it work harder to keep you warm, so remember to wrap up well with plenty of layers before stepping out into those freezing conditions.

Just walking through snowdrifts can put stress on your heart. So you can imagine how much strain shoveling snow produces. If you must shovel, scoop fresh, not packed snow. Push, rather than lift, and fill the shovel to only half full or less…

… and just be careful!

 
3 Dec 2010

HO, HO, HO! Have Fun, Get Fit, Save Lives!

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Santa Run for British Heart Foundation

British Heart Foundation Santa jogs are happening all over the UK– so join in the fun and be part of something truly Santa-tastic this Christmas!

To find an event near you, check out the BHF website:
http://www.bhf.org.uk/events_and_volunteering/events/runs_and_jogs.aspx

 
15 Nov 2010

Teen salt reduction could prevent adult heart disease

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Posted in Advice, Heart Health, Media Coverage | No Comments »

Thanks to Caroline Scott-Thomas for her article on the recent research presented by the American Heart Association.
 
Here in the UK we are probably all conscious of two things:  We ‘imitate’ America in more ways than is probably healthy…and, as a consequence, our young people are not necessarily eating as healthily as perhaps we did when we were their age (I’m in my forties and possibly I’m viewing my younger self through rose-tinted glasses!).
 
However, this research into teenage salt consumption and the potential risk of cardiovascular disease in adulthood is valid whether you are a young person in the US or the UK.
 
Read the thought-provoking and concerning article in full here.

 
10 Nov 2010

The Express and statins…all very confusing?

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Posted in Heart Health, Media Coverage, cholesterol | No Comments »

Thanks to tabloid-watch.blogspot for noting the confusion over the reporting of statins during the past two years by The Express.

Whilst they are not the only media culprit, it does re-inforce the need for clarity over the use of statins and their efficacy.

And what about the alternatives to medication?  Isn’t it time for a clear debate and to hear more clearly the opinion of GP’s? Obviously here at Works With Water we would like to be a part of this debate as we offer a natural solution for the maintenance of healthy cholesterol with our help: cholesterol proprietary soluble formulation containing barley beta-glucan.  The ingredient claim has received a positive opinion by the EFSA and it is a very viable alternative to Statins – and has even been proven to work effectively alongside statins.

Today’s Express has yet another ‘miracle cure’ headline on its front page:

Statins have been around for years so it’s not clear what is ‘new’ about them.

And to call them a ‘wonder drug’ may surprise Express readers who remember this front page from 21 May:

A wonder drug that can be a risk to health? Apparently so.

Indeed, the Express’ coverage of statins has fluctuated between those two extremes for several years.

They’re good:


Then, maybe, they’re not:


A week later they’re good again:


But still, maybe you should learn:


Just in case:


But the next day:


Which is good news, until:


And:


And the ‘agonising side-effects’ mentioned here:


But soon after that, news that even healthy people may get prescribed statins:


Eventhough:


And:


They can cause ‘cataracts, liver damage and kidney failure’?

But they’re not that much of a ‘health risk’ because:


And then the reassuring news that:


Whoever said they did? They may also give:


And last month, the Express claimed, statins were partly responsible for:



It may seem all very confusing that one newspaper can go from ‘health scares’ to ‘miracle cures’ about the same drug so often (they also do it with aspirin).

Good job the Express has a handy guide:


Yes, it is ‘impossible to know what to believe.’

Yes, conflicting advice can cause ‘confusion’ and ‘make it difficult to judge what’s safe and what isn’t.’

The Express’ coverage doesn’t make it any easier.

 
3 Nov 2010

National Stress Day

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Posted in Blood Pressure, Heart Health, Media Coverage, cholesterol | No Comments »

It’s national stress today, 3rd November and Sarah Vrancken, Fitness Expert from Streatham Hill, says:

‘We experience a hormone imbalance when we are stressed. Certain hormones including adrenalin and cortisol are released, which are known to increase our heart rate and blood pressure, and can leave the body – especially neck and back muscles – feeling stiff and tense.

In our daily lives, we can’t always reduce the amount of stress we are exposed to, but we can find natural ways of making sure stress doesn’t cause long term damage to our bodies.

When feeling stressed, the best thing you can do is go to the gym to release this build-up of energy and adrenaline, which is a natural way of keeping your body in balance. Don’t be surprised to find you do your best work-outs when you’ve had a stressful day!

In addition to regular exercise, try natural supplements that restore your body’s internal balance. I like the 100% natural supplements from Works with Water which contain ingredients that are clinically proven to help you maintain healthy blood pressure and cholesterol levels – naturally.”

National Stress Day is organised by ISMA UK

 
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