“Our research has reinforced and expanded knowledge about how these substances in chilies work in improving heart health,” said Zhen-Yu Chen, Ph.D., who presented the study. “We now have a clearer and more detailed portrait of their innermost effects on genes and other mechanisms that influence cholesterol and the health of blood vessels. It is among the first research to provide that information.”

Chen and his team found that capsaicin helps heart health in two different ways.  It reduces the body’s retention of cholesterol by increasing its ability to break it down faster and excrete it naturally as feces.  It also helps to block the body’s gene that makes arteries contract, allowing blood to flow more freely through the body.

“We concluded that capsaicinoids were beneficial in improving a range of factors related to heart and blood vessel health,” said Chen, a professor of food and nutritional science at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. “But we certainly do not recommend that people start consuming chilies to an excess. A good diet is a matter of balance. And remember, chilies are no substitute for the prescription medications proven to be beneficial. They may be a nice supplement, however, for people who find the hot flavor pleasant.”

So add a little spice to your dinner and your life!  It’s better for you than you might think!

Stress cardiomyopathy, or “Broken Heart Syndrome” is a condition in which severe heart muscle weakness is caused by intense emotional (e.g. ended relationships, death of a loved one, extreme anger, surprise, etc.) or physical stress (e.g. seizure, stroke, asthma attack, etc.). The symptoms of stress cardiomyopathy are almost identical to that of a heart attack: shortness of breath, chest pains, low blood pressure and even congestive heart failure can occur.  The biggest difference between the two is the cause.  Heart attacks are most often brought on by some sort of blockage, whereas stress cardiomyopathy is the actual weakening of the muscle.

The good news is that in most cases people recover very quickly from Broken Heart Syndrome, and it is rarely life threatening.

It is no secret that obesity and heart disease are very closely linked together.  The good news is that there are simple methods to help reduce your risk of both.

• Eat Healthy – A healthy diet can be one of the strongest weapons against heart disease and being overweight.  Try to avoid foods high in sodium, sugar and saturated fats.  Eat regular balanced meals of protein, unsaturated fat, carbohydrates, fruits and vegetables.  Also try to avoid foods that are high in preservatives.  This will not only help keep the pounds off, but keep your arteries clear.
• Exercise – Hitting the gym not only helps to burn fat and increase your metabolism, it also helps to strengthen your heart, and increase blood flow throughout the body.

If you retain most of your weight around your waist instead of your hips, you are especially at risk for heart disease.  For these people, it is of the utmost importance to maintain a healthy weight.

Now you have more motivation than ever to put that gym membership to use.  Now get out there and become a healthier you!

By BMI standards, a bodybuilder could be considered obese, while a slender woman with little muscle mass and high body fat would be described as healthy, even though she is at risk for a number of health problems.

In the study, doctors found that 39% of the subjects tested that were simply considered overweight by their BMI would actually be classified as obese when their body fat percentage was considered.

So next time you are having your physical, ask your doctor to perform additional tests besides calculating your BMI in order to receive a proper diagnosis.  A simple misdiagnosis can lead to major problems down the road…

Poor oral hygiene often leads to chronic oral infections (known as periodontal disease), which cause increased levels of inflammation throughout the body. Over time, this can severely damage your cardiovascular system and contribute to the development of heart disease.

A recent study has found that when compared to individuals who brush their teeth twice a day, those who brush any less than that are at a 70% increased risk of heart disease.

So take mom’s advice and brush those pearly whites.  It may just help keep you around for a few more years.

EveryHeart’s mission is to make this problem a thing of the past by providing student athletes with state-of-the-art cardiovascular testing absolutely free of charge.  This testing includes echocardiography, electrocardiograms and blood pressure assessments, all designed to provide the students and their families with detailed reports on their heart health, and a step-by-step plan to increase their heart health, allowing them to perform at their absolute best.

The EveryHeart Foundation needs your help to provide students in need with this testing.  Without your donations, we cannot make this happen.  So visit the EveryHeart website today and find out more about this great new nonprofit!  Because every heart matters.

• Chest pains/discomfort – The majority of all heart attacks suffered follow some sort of chest discomfort, which can range from uncomfortable pressure, fullness, squeezing or pain.  If these sensations last for more than a few minutes, or fade and come back, this may be a sign that a heart attack is on the way.
• Shortness of breath – Though often developing in tandem with chest discomfort, shortness of breath can sometimes occur before chest pains and should be taken seriously
• Discomfort in other upper body parts – The most common upper body discomfort (other than chest) experienced is in one or both arms, though some also experience discomfort in their neck, jaw, back or stomach.
• Other symptoms – These may include cold sweats, light-headedness or nausea, though these symptoms alone rarely indicate heart attack.  They usually accompany the other symptoms listed.

If you experience any or all of these symptoms, do not hesitate to call 9-1-1.  Every minute matters when it comes to heart attacks!

Studies have found that certain chocolates can be rich in antioxidant flavonoids. A cup of pure cocoa has more antioxidants than three cups of green tea.  Positive affects of chocolate’s antioxidant flavonoids also include vasodilatation, blood pressure reduction, decreased inflammation and inhibition of platelet activity.  These all help to promote healthy blood flow and reduce the development of blockages.

While these studies are promising, it should be noted that chocolate is not a tasty miracle heart pill.  Only dark chocolates exhibit these heart-health properties, and one should only consume up to 100 calories worth of chocolate per day.  Still, chocolate lovers can now feel a little less guilt about indulging from time to time.

Social aspect draws participants

In fact, the social aspect is what drew many of the ex-players to the screening event, noted Dr. Jeffrey Boone, director of the Boone Heart Institute and national co-director of the NFL Player Care Foundation Cardiovascular Program sponsored by the NFL, the NFL Player’s Association, the NFL Hall of Fame and the NFL Alumni Association.  Click here to read full article…