Suffering From Heart Ailments? – Take A Look At These Foods That You Need To Avoid!

Are you suffering from deadly heart ailments? Or you just want to live a healthy life? Bear in mind that aside from exercise and religiously taking your medications, you also need to choose the right types of food that you eat to control if not eliminate your existing heart condition.  If you have a heart condition eating properly can make a huge difference.  However, if it's too late and you experience a sudden cardiac arrest you need to use an aed pads and aed battery in conjunction with a defibrillator.

It is very basic and traditional to avoid foods high in saturated fat like pork belly, prime cut ribs, fried meals as well as sodium rich goodies like instant noodles, canned goods, condiments and all others. However, aside from this list, you also need to keep an eye from other “faux” healthy foods that can aggravate your condition or bring further heart complications. If you want to be healthy in and out, take a look at this list below and say FINAL goodbye to unhealthy foods. Remember that these foods should be avoided in order to live a healthy, complication free or even diseases free life!

1.       Soups – we are pertaining to heavily creamed soups may it be a home cooked meal or an instant goodie. For soups to be richer and tastier, most of the time they are cooked using heavy creams and artificial flavourings making them a silently dangerous meal. It is best to prepare your own soup instead of buying one from the grocery and use natural herbs and spices to make it flavoursome yet healthy.

2.       Meats – you can still indulge over meats but make sure to choose lean cuts. Bear in mind that meats are high in protein making them a healthy diet ingredient but careful selection is required to achieve a low-fat high in protein meal. If your budget permits, go for extra lean cuts and selections.

3.       Fish – almost all of us will buy any type of fish thinking they are all healthy and fat free. However, there are certain fish varieties that entail high LDL content which is obviously bad for our health. As much as possible avoid bass, bluefish, butterfish, deviled crab, eel, herring, mackerel, pompano, shad and trout. Go for those that are rich in omega 3 like tuna, salmon, milkfish and other saltwater fishes.

4.       Poultry – chicken is always healthy as long as you remove the skin but duck and goose are not. Duck and goose have a layer of fat just beneath their skin and some on the inner meat making them unfit for a healthy diet.

5.       Dairy products – majority of dairy products should be avoided if you want to protect your heart but there are some substitute stuffs that you can still enjoy. For whole milk use non fat or lite milk, instead of creamed cottage go for cheddar cheese, butter can be replaced with margarine, use soy bean yoghurt instead of whole milk based yogurts. Instead of using full/whole cream cheese, parmesan and spreads, look for lite or non-fat counterparts.

6.       Breads – say goodbye to hotcakes, waffles, pancakes, coffee cakes, muffins, doughnuts, sweet rolls and Danish pastries. These breads are filled with lard, butter and egg yolk making them unsuitable for a healthy heart diet. Go for whole grain and wheat breads instead and make a healthy choice by increasing your fiber intake.

Remember that in every food you eat, you must consider not just your hungry stomach but your sensitive heart as well. You also need to be very careful when using artificial seasonings and flavourings as they are also rich in sodium making healthy foods miserably unhealthy.

Understanding Sudden Cardiac Arrest

Defined as sudden, unexpected loss of heart function, breathing and consciousness, SCA or Sudden Cardiac Arrest is indeed dangerous. If not rescued immediately, SCA can cause permanent heart damage, brain damage and even irreversible death. Early resuscitation like providing high quality CPR, the use of AEDs or Automated External Defibrillators and giving medications are all crucial to prevent the deadly effects of SCA. 

However, as the saying goes, tons of prevention is better than pounds of cure. Why focus on treatment when preventing the condition is much easier? With this article, learn the most common risk factors of SCA and avoid developing this fatal heart condition before it starts to kick in.

Familial history of SCA and Coronary Artery Disease genetic plays an important role in this life threatening condition, if your parents or grandparents have it, the more likely you will develop SCA. Aside from genetics, CAD or Coronary Artery Disease more commonly known as Atherosclerosis which is the accumulation of plaque deposition within the arterial walls of the heart is also considered to be one of the greatest risk factors that may lead to SCA.

Smoking is also considered a risk factor in SCA, this is due to the fact that cigarette contain high amounts of nicotine. Nicotine is known to be a notorious a vasoconstrictor meaning it constricts the blood vessels of the body resulting to high blood pressure and increase turbulence of the blood.

High blood cholesterol – hyperlipidemia or increase cholesterol in the blood can also subject you to SCA. Collection of lipids in the blood especially harmful ones like low density lipoprotein which can be found on oily foods, saturated fats, sodium rich meals and fatty dishes are known to increase exposure towards SCA.

Sedentary lifestyle or lack of exercise, increased intake of fatty foods together with drinking too much alcohol are all linked with Sudden Cardiac Arrest. Aside from SCA, sedentary lifestyle is also known to put you on other heart diseases such as heart attack, hypertension, CAD and all others.

Age also plays an important role in developing this fatal condition, studies have shown that men after 45 years of age and age 55 for women are more prone to develop Sudden Cardiac Arrest than those lower in age.

To prevent development of SCA it is advised to submit yourself to annual checkups if you are healthy, monthly checkups if you have underlying heart conditions and bi annual check up for older individuals. It is also wise to religiously take your medications as this stops further development of your existing medical condition. Smoking cessation, healthy lifestyle, exercising twice a week, intake of nutritious foods should also be practiced utmost to prevent Sudden Cardiac Arrest.

The best treatment of Sudden Cardiac Arrest is to use a defibrillator within 5 minutes of the patient collapsing.  If you are going to use your defibrillator in a plane you should use an FDA approved battery similar to the 989803136291 or if you're not going to be in a plane than the M5070A is a perfect choice. 

Risk Factors of Sudden Cardiac Arrest – Know These Things before You Get Affected

Defined as sudden, unexpected loss of heart function, breathing and consciousness, SCA or Sudden Cardiac Arrest is indeed dangerous. If not rescued immediately, SCA can cause permanent heart damage, brain damage and even irreversible death. Early resuscitation like providing high quality CPR, the use of AEDs or Automated External Defibrillators and giving medications are all crucial to prevent the deadly effects of SCA. 

However, as the saying goes, tons of prevention is better than pounds of cure. Why focus on treatment when preventing the condition is much easier? With this article, learn the most common risk factors of SCA and avoid developing this fatal heart condition before it starts to kick in.

1.       Familial history of SCA and Coronary Artery Disease – genetic plays an important role in this life threatening condition, if your parents or grandparents have it, the more likely you will develop SCA. Aside from genetics, CAD or Coronary Artery Disease more commonly known as Atherosclerosis which is the accumulation of plaque deposition within the arterial walls of the heart is also considered to be one of the greatest risk factors that may lead to SCA.

2.       Smoking – as for every disease, smoking is also considered a risk factor in SCA, this is due to the fact that cigarette contain high amounts of nicotine. Nicotine is known to be a notorious a vasoconstrictor meaning it constricts the blood vessels of the body resulting to high blood pressure and increase turbulence of the blood.

3.       High blood cholesterol – hyperlipidemia or increase cholesterol in the blood can also subject you to SCA. Collection of lipids in the blood especially harmful ones like low density lipoprotein which can be found on oily foods, saturated fats, sodium rich meals and fatty dishes are known to increase exposure towards SCA.

4.       Sedentary lifestyle – lack of exercise, increase intake of fatty foods together with drinking too much alcohol are all linked with Sudden Cardiac Arrest. Aside from SCA, sedentary lifestyle is also known to put you on other heart diseases such as heart attack, hypertension, CAD and all others.

5.       Age – age also plays an important role in developing this fatal condition, studies have shown that men after 45 years of age and age 55 for women are more prone to develop Sudden Cardiac Arrest than those lower in age.

To prevent development of SCA it is advised to submit yourself to annual checkups if you are healthy, monthly checkups if you have underlying heart conditions and bi annual check up for older individuals. It is also wise to religiously take your medications as this stops further development of your existing medical condition. Smoking cessation, healthy lifestyle, exercising twice a week, intake of nutritious foods should also be practiced utmost to prevent Sudden Cardiac Arrest.

SCA is preventable; you just need to have a good self discipline and tons of knowledge to fight this lethal heart condition. Remember that if one suffers from SCA, don’t hesitate to help him or her. What you need to do to save his life are the following but not limited to:

-          Calling for help

-         Performing CPR following the new sequence C-A-B or chest compression, airway and breathing

-          Using Automated External Defibrillators present on site

Alway check your Philips Defibrillator Battery and especially model number M5070A. Stop the spread of SCA! Live a healthy life and don’t forget to submit yourself to medical checkups to ensure best health and wellness.

Eating Healthy to Maintain Your Heart

Everyone always talks about the best way to stay healthy is diet and exercise.  But what does that really mean.  In this blog entry we'll explore some specific foods that can contribute to a healthy heart.

One of the best known foods for maintaining a healthy heart is seafood.  Fish has a high content of omega-3 oils that are proven to lower blood pressure and reduce the strain on your heart.  But not all fish meat is equal.  Some fish are better than others for health.  For example, darker meat fish like catfish are not good for your health while white fish such as halibut can rich in anti-oxidants and omega-3 which contribute to a healthy heart.

Mother said always eat your vegetables.  Just like everything else Mom said this turns out to be true.  Vegetables are high in anti-oxidants and iron which prevent blood clots.  A good rule of thumb is to try to eat 3 servings a day or fruits and vegetables.

Nuts... No not what you're going through but the hard shell type.  Walnuts especially are considered a good source of protein and have shown in studies to reduce triglycerides.  Again, before adding anything new to your diet you should always consult your doctor.

Ethnic spices have shown to have a positive affect on fighting heart disease.  Cayenne, ginger, horseradish, and carob all have shown in studies to fight high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease.  You should always consult a nutritionists to determine which of these spices are right for you.

If you believe that you are at high risk for heart disease it's highly recommend that you seek the advice of a doctor. Modern technology has provided us prescriptions that can lower high blood pressure, prevent arterial plaque, and lower cholesterol.

If you believe your at risk for heart related symptoms and not just heart disease, but perhaps cardiac arrest than it's important that you maintain your Philips HeartStart Battery model number M5070A so that it's ready when it's needed.

Important Tips to Know when Performing CPR

In 2010, the American Heart Association released a new set of guidelines replacing it’s well known method of Airway, Breathing, Chest Compressions.    The new and improved method is now CAB, or Chest, Airway, Breathing.  Understanding the basics of CPR is clearly not enough to save lives; there are many other important steps necessary to perform a successful resuscitation.

First, you need to place your hands on the patient’s chest above the sternum.  Always remember to put your hands an inch above the xiphoid process (the bony protrusion at the end of the sternum) or for a quicker yet definite hand position, follow the nipple line.

Secondly, make sure your compressions are deep and fast enough.  Each compression should be at least 1 ½” deep and at about 90-100 compressions per minute.  A good way to determine if you’re don’t chest compression fast enough is to sing a fast paced song while performing CPR.  This will help you maintain a solid pace.  When providing chest compressions, make sure your elbows are in an angle that allows you to press firmly down on the chest.  When your elbows are at an angle your thrust power is often loss in your elbows.

Next, perform full breath mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.  Many of us are resistant to performing mouth-to-mouth for medical concerns, but you can use a shirt or other barrier that allows air to transfer to protect yourself from germs.

Last and most importantly, the first thing you should do after accessing the patient’s status is to call for emergency services to arrive on the scene. Do not forget to call for help and use existing medical equipment’s like AEDs – aside from performing CPR in the correct way, calling for help will ensure high survival rates via paramedics. AEDs should also be used prior to performing CPR as this life saving device will tell you what to do next. AEDs are also essential to deliver the right amount of electrical impulse needed for the heart to function once again.

Using these life saving tips will help you save a life of maybe someone you know.  Besides performing CPR, the next best device you can use is a Philips Onsite AED along with aed pads and aed batteries. 

Conditions That Lead to Heart Disease

The average human’s heart will beat over 100,000 between the time we are born and when we die.  The muscle contracts and beats subconsciously and it something most of us don’t’ take into considering during our normal life.  However, many people are walking around with heart disease that can lead to eventual death.  There are many conditions that can contribute to heart disease.  We’ll explore some of those potential causes.

1.    Diabetes

2.    High Blood Pressure

3.    Metabolism

4.    Blood Pumping Disorder

First, people with diabetes generally have other contributing factors like high blood pressure, high triglycerides, and high cholesterol.  Often these conditions are a result of either diet or genetics.  People with diabetes have cells store fat and collect lipids.  The lipids harden into arterial plaque which blocks the normal flow of blood pumping through the arteries.

Secondly, high blood pressure is often associated with heart disease.  Hypertension also is prominent is certain races more than others.  This is an example of where genetics is more of a result than diet. Since the presence of hypertension is difficult to detect by doctors, it's often considered the silent killer of adults.

Another issue doctors have discovered in your metabolism.  Doctors have named this “Metabolic Syndrome” which affects over 50 million Americans.  Metabolism Syndrome typically includes the following conditions:

• Tryglycerides level above 150
• Blood Pressure of 130/85 or more
• Blood Sugar of 100 or more
• Patient's weight

Lastly, blood flow to the heart can become irregular and is often associated with congestive heart failure.  This condition occurs any time when the heart does not receive oxygenated blood.  This can be brought on by an arrhythmia in the arterial or ventricle parts of the heart.

These are just a few of the conditions that contribute to heart disease.  Heart disease and sudden cardiac arrest should not be taken lightly.  Those with a family history or heart disease should see a doctor and have their cholesterol tested.  However, sudden cardiac arrest can happen to anyone even with perfect cholesterol or family history.  That’s why it’s a good idea to keep a portable defibrillator and make sure your FR2 AED Infant Child pads model number M3870A are ready and have not expired.

Philips Adult SMART Pads Cartridge Model M5071A

The Philips Adult HeartStart Onsite pads have a two year shelf life and when they have expired you must immediately purchase new pads.   If you own a defibrillator you should regularly check our device to verify that it’s functioning properly and the pads are within their expiration date.  If the pads have expired, or are near expiration replace them immediately.  If you should need to reorder pads just ask for model M5071A pads and your authorized Philips retailer will be able to assist you and get you the pads that will work with your AED.

Congratulations on owning the Philips HeartStart Onsite defibrillator; one of the most advanced portable defibrillator on the market today.  The Philips Onsite works best when paired with the HeartStart Adult SMART Pads.  The pads are very easy to use but during an emergency situation the care giver can often forget their training or become frantic.  If you remember the easy steps in this article you will be able to install the pads and deliver a shock if necessary.

The pads are located on the front of the defibrillator.  To access the pads there is a PULL handle at the top.  Pulling the pad from the Onsite will automatically turn the defibrillator on and set it into motion.  The care giver will being receiving audible instructions by first letting you know the pads have been properly placed on the patient and the device is receiving data.

The information contained in these topics is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, it is provided for educational purposes only.  You assume full responsibility for how you choose to use this information. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider before starting any new treatment or discontinuing an existing treatment. Talk with your healthcare provider about any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.  Nothing contained in these topics is intended to be used for medical diagnosis or treatment.

Early Symptoms of Heart Disease

Heart disease leads to over 800K deaths in America each year.  There are many different causes that lead to this life shortening disease.  Studies performed by the CDC have shown that certain genetic factors contribute to heart disease.  For example, Black males have been shown to have a much higher percentage of fatalities than in Whites, Mexicans, or Asians.  Considering that we are all at risk there are some factors that should be considered and if you're someone who has these symptoms it's important that you be proactive and see a doctor.

First, chronic high blood pressure is often a first sign of heart disease. The presence of hypertension is subtle and not always discovered without the assistance of a trained medical doctor.

Secondly, if you have an irregular metabolism it can contribute to heart disease.  Sudden weight loss or gain can be easily identified symptoms of an out of balance metabolism.  Most people would be pleased if they lose weight quickly, but not dieting or expecting to lose the weight can be dangerous or a sign of a much more significantly critical concern.

Another concern or symptom of heart disease is a blood pumping irregularity or constriction.  This condition is nearly impossible to detect without advanced medical care.  However, shortness of breath, continuous fatigue, or dizziness can be early warning signs of your heart not pumping properly.  When the heart is not pumping properly it can't deliver oxygen to the cells in your body and as a result your system begins to shut down.

These are just a few basic symptoms of this disease.  If you have any of these symptoms it's critical that you see a doctor immediately to avoid a sudden collapse.  If you or someone you know has any of these conditions it's critical that they own a Philips HeartStart AED to be ready for an emergency.  These life saving devices can resuscitate the heart so blood begins pumping normally again.

Basic AED Maintenance Tips and Tricks

AED’s are sophisticated devices and are easy to use but they do require some minimal inspection to verify they are working properly.  Having an AED present on-site is not enough to help save lives; you need to ensure that proper care and maintenance is being practiced most to preserve its high usability. Remember that AEDS are manmade apparatuses therefore glitches can happen anytime. To prevent these minute problems that can later turn big, why don’t you read these tips and tricks below and easily learn how to care for your Automatic External Defibrillator's.

1.       Daily inspection is needed – let’s start from the simplest maintenance tip which is the daily inspection of your unit. Remember that your AED should have a flashing black hourglass that indicates the “use” readiness of the device. Some manufacturers may use different symbols so please refer to your user manual and check which indicator signal its readiness for use. Should the device is not ready for use, immediately contact a trained personnel or manufacturer to help resolve the problem.

2.      Weekly inspection of the unit – you should also carry out a weekly inspection (preferably during weekends) to ensure that the device is working great. On weekly inspections, make sure that all stuffs related to AED like pads, PC cards, kits gloves are always in place and ready for use. Cleaning is also necessary to make AED units always fresh and free from harmful bacteria. Do not put any chemicals into the device without consulting the user manual. Disposable supplies should also be properly discarded to prevent transfer of microorganisms.

3.      Monthly check ups – to prevent AED failure, always do monthly check ups to the unit. Make sure that all supplies are within the date of use and those that are expired should be replaced immediately. AED pads should be replaced when worn out or as prescribe by the manufacturer. Should you have non working aed batteries, call the manufacturer and ask for immediate replacement. Remember that BIT or Battery Insertion Test should always be practiced before putting back the device.

4.       Yearly inspections – once a year self test is a must to ensure that your AED unit is free from technical issues or damages. Calling the manufacturer and asking for a self test will easily do the trick. Batteries should also be checked for its shelf life, remember that not all batteries are made to last forever. Cables and physical structure of the device should also be inspected to ensure that there’s no loose wiring, physical dents, cracks present on the device.

Automatic External Defibrillators can really help save lives and this is a fact not fiction. The life saving capabilities of an AED is more than enough to protect and keep them well maintained all the time. Remember that AEDs are so important should an SCA happen so don’t jeopardize the health and lives of the others, don’t overlook the device but rather keep them well maintained all the time.  

Alternative Medicines To Prevent Heart Disease

In 2006, there were over 400,000 deaths due to heart disease.  Most of the time heart disease goes unnoticed until it’s too late.  If detected early enough, modern medicine can treat many of the issues which lead to heart disease and eventual death. 


However, many are turning to alternative medicines better known as homeopathic cures to fight this disease.  Doctors are skeptical of the real world results, but agree that they can’t hurt.  Some of the homeopathic medicines include:

1.    Meditation

2.    Prayer

3.    Homeopathic

4.    Chelation Therapy

Meditation doesn’t have to be spiritual.  It can also be just a time out of the mind, clearing your thoughts of every day stress. Just 20 minutes per day twice a day can be effective at reducing stress and anxiety which are preludes to heart disease. Many doctors believe meditation is a good alternative medicine just because of the sense of well being it can bring to a patient.
Some wouldn’t consider prayer to be an alternative medicine.  With over 4 Billion people in the world religiously active it’s difficult to consider this as an alternative. None the less, there have been many studies on the impact of prayer for those with heart disease and the results are amazing. A study of 1000 patients that were split into two study groups, one with prayer and one without, those patients who had someone praying for them showed a significant higher level of success compared to those in the placebo group.

Homeopathic medicines have been used in parts of the world for years to cure ailments for thousands of years. Those who take herbal or natural supplements have stated a positive effect on curing their issues. If you’re going to consider putting any supplement into your system you should always speak with your doctor first.


Chelation therapy is where vitamins are injected directly into the blood stream via a catheter. Certain vitamins have shown to reduce heart disease in some patients.  For example, studies have shown that there is a definitive link between calcium and the buildup of plaque in the arteries.  Chelation therapy calcium can remove the calcium from the blood reducing the levels of plaque buildup. This is the most controversial of all procedures for fighting heart disease and it's highly recommended that you and your doctor thoroughly research this practice before determining starting any regiment.


You should never take your heart or it's condition for granted.  A heart attack or cardiac arrest can happen to anyone with little or no warning.  To be prepared you should consider keeping a portable defibrillator at home or work.  You should also keep a good set up Philips Adult Smart Pads Cartridge available model number M5071A.

Risk Factors With Sudden Cardiac Arrest

Here is something which we need to know:

Smoking: Smoking is a major cause of cardiovascular disease. Cigarette smoking is the most important preventable cause of death world wide. People who smoke a pack of cigarettes a day have more prone to heart attack than nonsmokers.

Using illegal drugs, like cocaine or amphetamines: Cocaine has been associated to a high incidence of disturbance in the rhythm of the heartbeat and sudden death due to cardiovascular complications related to its physiological effects that result in an increase of heart rate. The whole body speeds up, increasing the heart rate, blood pressure and breathing. Used un-properly, amphetamines can effects sleeping, increase obesity.

Physical Stress: Intense physical activity. The hormone adrenaline is released during intense physical activity. This hormone can generate sudden cardiac arrest in people who have other heart problems.

Age: Men after age of 45, women after age of 55 experienced more heart attacks. For women 40 and over, the chances of suffering sudden cardiac death are one in 24.

High blood cholesterol: When there is too much cholesterol in your blood, it builds up in the walls of your arteries. The result is a heart attack.

High blood pressure: This increase in blood pressure can damage the blood vessels or very important organs. This can lead to strokes.

Diabetes: Diabetes is a disorder of metabolism—the way our bodies use digested food for energy. If you have diabetes, you are prone to have heart disease or a stroke as someone who does not have diabetes.

Your Heart Disease Risk

Heart Diseases Risk

High cholesterol, lifestyle choices, and other factors increase heart attack risk. Find out if you're likely to have a heart attack within the next 10 years.

Even though you don’t have a time machine, you do have the ability to calculate your 10-year heart disease risk. Decades of research have shown how heart disease risk factors such as high cholesterol and lifestyle choices like smoking cigarettes add up.

The greater your risk for heart disease within 10 years, the more aggressive you need to be with prevention. For example, the guidelines note that people who already have coronary heart disease or an equivalent health condition, such as diabetes, have a more than 20 percent risk of a heart event within 10 years. Add other risk factors, such as high cholesterol, advanced age, cigarette smoking, and a family history of early heart disease, and your total risk notches up.

The NCEP guidelines include charts that enable you to calculate a very specific risk score, based on your risk factors, age, and gender. For example, a 57-year-old man could use the charts to find out that he gets 7 points for age, 5 points for cholesterol over 280, 3 points for smoking cigarettes, and 1 point for his slightly high but treated high blood pressure. Adding them all together, he has 16 points, or a 25 percent risk of a heart disease event within ten years.

The same approach is applied to diet — using the diet appendix in the guidelines, you can give yourself points for the types of foods you eat regularly to find out whether you are eating a heart-healthy diet.

Once you have a good idea of your heart disease risk, you can make an informed decision about the steps you want to take to reduce that risk.
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“We want to match the intensity of treatment that we recommend to any patient with that patient’s level of risk,” says Daniel Levy, MD, director of the Framingham Heart Study and professor of medicine at Boston University in Boston. This is because the changes you may have to make all have some degree of risk and burden attached to them.

Calculate Your Heart Disease Risk

This is the information you need to calculate your risk:

* Your age. As you get older, your overall increase for heart disease and heart attack goes up. For men this means being over age 45 and for women, over 55.
* Cholesterol. You need to know about your total cholesterol as well as both the “bad” low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and the “good” high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. If your LDL is too high or your HDL is too low (less than 40 mg/dL), you are at risk. Get a blood test to find out what your cholesterol levels are if you do not already know.
* Blood pressure. It should be 140/90 or lower. If you are taking medication to control blood pressure, you are still considered to be at risk even if your blood pressure is under control.
* Chronic diseases. There are other health conditions, such as diabetes, that are closely tied to heart disease risk.
* Family history. If you have close male relatives who had heart disease before age 55 or close female relatives with heart disease before age 65, you are at increased risk. However, Levy points out that many people do not know all the details of their family’s history with heart disease. Make the best guess you can if you don’t have someone to ask.
* Smoking cigarettes. Bad news for people who are smokers — this is a strong independent risk factor for heart disease.

Use this online risk calculator to get a better feel for where you stand when it comes to heart health. Of course, calculating heart disease risk is a more complex than simply using an online calculator, so check with your doctor to make sure you're taking all the steps you need to take.

If you enjoyed this post, please see our website where you'll find a large selection of automated external defibulators, AED Cabinet, Lifeline AED and Philips HeartStart Onsite

Does Daylight Saving Time Cause Heart Attacks?

Investigators reported an association between heart attacks (also called myocardial infarction) and switching to DST in the spring. Their report indicates that heart attacks among Swedish men and women increase by 5% during the first few weekdays after the clocks are advanced one hour in the spring for DST. This effect is partially reversed in the fall, when the incidence of heart attacks drops slightly after clocks are set back to standard time.

Does this mean that DST time is a public menace and should be abandoned? No. (As an Ohio farmer once explained to me, his corn crop really appreciates the extra hour of sunlight provided by DST - and it's hard to argue with logic like that.)

What this report actually means is that there is a link between sleep deprivation and cardiovascular problems. We've known about this link for a long time. But typically, sleep deprivation - an extremely common and almost "normal" phenomenon in modern society - occurs randomly among the population. In contrast, when we begin DST in the spring, we are systematically coordinating a night of sleep deprivation (and a few days of sleep-cycle readjustment) for a few billion people around the world simultaneously, which gives us an opportunity to observe and measure the effects of sleep deprivation across a large number of people. When we do so, we can see that sleep deprivation, in general, poses health risks.

So this study doesn't so much indicate that DST is a bad idea, but rather, points out that even a relatively minor sleep-disruptive event such as this one can have health consequences. What this study really means is that we should all pay more attention to our sleep cycles, do our best to get enough sleep, and try to avoid unnecessary disruptions in our sleep patterns.

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Some Facts about Cardiac Arrhythmias

What are Cardiac Arrhythmias?

Cardiac arrhythmias, also commonly called arrhythmias, are irregularities of the heart beat. For the most part, the normal, constant rhythm of the heartbeat that ensures essential blood flow throughout the body goes unnoticed.

But for some people, problems arise as the electrical impulses that synchronize the heart beat don’t function properly, causing the heart to beat out of rhythm - too quickly, too slowly or with an irregular pattern.

Arrhythmias are fairly common. Most people have had at least one experience where it feels as if the heart has skipped a beat, or has given an unexpected flutter. For many, the experience is usually not cause for concern. However, while many arrhythmias are harmless, some can be extremely dangerous and require medical treatment.

Help for Cardiac Arrhythmias:

If you have been diagnosed with an arrhythmia, treatment may or may not be necessary, depending on the cause, the severity and type of arrhythmia. For some people, arrhythmias are easily managed with a few lifestyle modifications and are little cause for concern. However, if your doctor suspects that the arrhythmia may cause serious symptoms, or that it may result in complications, medical treatment will be necessary.

By eating a heart-healthy diet, following a regular exercise plan, and reducing the intake of alcohol and caffeine, the occurrence of arrhythmias can be greatly reduced and prevented. If you do smoke, consider quitting smoking naturally, as tobacco is a known trigger of a number of health concerns related to the heart.

In addition, there are many natural herbal and homeopathic remedies available that can be successfully used as part of a holistic treatment program for optimal heart health

For more details on Heart Conditions, AED, AED Equipment, AED Pads, AED Battery, AED Cabinets, AED Defibrillators, AED Usage, visit - http://www.aedlifepower.com

The Zero Heart Attack Path (ZHAP) Diet

The ZHAP diet is a low fat diet plan aimed at lowering your cholesterol levels and reducing the risk of suffering from a heart ailment. The ZHAP diet is a new, specially designed low fat diet plan which tastes as good as your normal food and which you will be able to adhere to without any difficulty. It is low in substances that are bad for your health and rich in substances that will protect you against heart disease and other illnesses. These meals are meant not just for the person at risk; they are for the whole family. This has two obvious benefits: one, you need not cook two sets of meals; two, the persons at risk is not tempted by the food consumed by others.
Salient features of the ZHAP diet.

This is a purely vegetarian diet which includes vegetables, fruits, pulses, grains and non-fat dairy products. It excludes all kinds of oils, butter, cheese, ghee (clarified butter), processed foods and coconut. Of course it goes without saying that sweets, fried items and alcohol are not a part of it.

Contrary to what is usually believed, there is no significant loss of taste due to the lack of oils, coconut and butter. Seasoning of curries, dals and sambars is more a matter of habit and dispensing with it doesn't really affect the taste of the particular dish. Use of butter in soups can be avoided by pureeing the cooked vegetables and adding a little bit of skimmed milk to it. In salads, try to use low fat yoghurt, lemon juice and vinegar instead of salad oil. Breakfast items like dosas should be prepared in a non-stick pan, which requires very small quantities of oil. By following such general principles, you can suitably modify your own favorites recipes into low fat items.

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Eat Healthy After a Stroke

The key to your recovery after a stroke is choosing healthy foods. The key to your recovery after a stroke is choosing healthy foods. Healthy eating will be easier once you learn to deal with new eating challenges. Preventing another stroke and staying healthy can be achieved when you take appropriate steps to control your weight and blood pressure. Making healthy food choices is a major step in the right direction, and you can enhance the impact diet plays in your risk by meeting with a registered dietitian.

Points to remember:
1)Cut out fried or greasy foods. They contribute to clogged arteries and obesity.
2)Reducing your intake of butter, meat products (especially fatty meat), eggs, stick margarine, cheese and snack foods with partially hydrogenated vegetable oils or fats.
3)Eat smaller portions more often throughout the day. Having six small meals is better for your overall health especially after a stroke.
4)Eat foods that are easy to chew, taste, and swallow, and avoid others that are not.
5)Thicken liquids to make them easier to feel in your mouth and throat.
6)Eat foods that are not too hot or cold.
7)Plan to eat a variety of foods each day.
8)Eat your biggest meal early in the day when you have the most energy. The last meal of the day can be simple, such as a sandwich or cereal.
9)Attractive, tasty, pleasant-smelling foods may enhance appetite.

These important points can can save a person from a Sudden Cardiac Arrest. Sudden Cardiac Arrest is one of the leading causes of death in the United States with over 300,000 people experiencing it every year. Upon identifying the symptoms of cardiac arrests the using an AED Equipment within the first six minutes greatly increases the survival rate.

What is H1N1 FLU?

Swine influenza (also called H1N1 flu, swine flu) is caused by influenza type A virus, there are regular outbreaks among herds of pigs, where the disease causes high levels of illness. It is a new influenza virus causing illness in people. This virus was originally referred to as “swine flu” because studies have shown that the genes in this new virus are quite similar to influenza viruses that normally occur in pigs (swine).

Human infections with the new H1N1 virus are ongoing in the world. H1N1 virus is contagious and it spreads from human to human. Flu viruses spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing by people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by touching a surface or object with flu viruses on it. The symptoms are generally similar to seasonal human influenzas. The swine flu in humans is most contagious during the first five days of the illness.

Signs and symptoms of swine influenza in humans:
1 Body aches
2 Chills
3 Cough
4 Diarrhea (less common)
5 Headache
6 Sore throat
7 Temperature (fever)
8 Tiredness (fatigue)
9 Vomiting (less common

Recommendations to prevent your self from this virus:
1 Wash your hands frequently with soap or alcohol-based hand sanitizers.
2 Stay away from other people who might be infected from H1N1 flu.
3 Avoid large gathering perhaps stay at home.
4 Try to stay healthy
5 Refrain your self from touching surfaces which may contain the virus like public telephone, restaurant, and tabletops and so on.
6 When you cough or sneeze cover your mouth with a tissue. If you do not have a tissue, cover your mouth and nose.
7 Drink plenty of boiled water.

If you are infected then limit your contact with other people. Please do not go to work. Keep all surfaces you have touched clean and follow your doctor's instructions.


Do you know around the world sudden cardiac arrest is the sole responsible reason for deaths of more than 100000 people each year. To insure the survival of the heart attack sufferer with in four minutes one needs to use automated external cardio defibrillators. This effective AED Equipments are designed to deliver an electric shock to a victim of sudden cardiac arrest.

Pop star Michael Jackson was Suffering from Lupus

In October 2007 Michael Jackson confirmed to foxnews that he was suffering from lupus. According to a heart specialist at AEDLIFEPOWER Lupus (pronounced as loo-pus) disease is an autoimmune disorder and it affects, skin, joints, kidneys, blood cells, heart, lungs and brain. Lupus is a disease that turns the body’s defenses against the body itself. Lupus occurs when antibodies attack the healthy cells in the body. So the body creates auto antibodies that attack the body’s own healthy cells. Certain drugs can cause Lupus as well. When antibodies attack body healthy cells that results in inflammation in arteries of the heart leading to the formation of a small flattened patch or deposit in the wall of an artery. This can result in cardiovascular disease and may lead to sudden cardiac arrest. The effects Lupus in heart can cause clotting and shortness of breath

Pop star Michael Jackson died of sudden cardiac arrest something more deadly than heart attack. Certain drugs can also cause cardiac arrest. Sudden cardiac arrest is often caused due very rapid heart rhythm. The heart dies right away unless they’re shocked out of it with a defibrillator. Sometimes an adverse response to prescription drugs or illicit use of drugs can also cause arrhythmia leading to cardiac arrest.

Detailed Information about Good Samaritan law

Many people worry that if they learn CPR or use an AED, then they could be held legally responsible if the person dies. In fact this is not true. Emergency responders (even laypersons) are protected by the Good Samaritan laws.

What is a Good Samaritan law?
This is a law or an act in United States that protects those who render aid to a person injured or ill in an emergency. This law is also applicable to health care providers and other rescuers from being sued when they are giving an emergency help to a victim. Its purpose is to keep people from being so reluctant to help a stranger in need for fear of facing legal repercussions if they make some mistake in the treatment. A volunteer provides aid to a complete stranger therefore he owes to the stranger a duty of being reasonably careful. The word Samaritan comes from the story told by Jesus which said a traveler (Samaritan) aided an injured man with whom he had no affiliation. This means that if you do your best, using the training or equipment (e.g., CPR, AED) that you have, then you are not liable for the outcome, even if you cannot save the person. You are just doing the best that you can. People are rarely sued for helping in an emergency. Always activate emergency medical services as soon as possible.

Become a volunteer today
Statistics show that for every minute is essential for a person who has gone into a sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). Patients who receive CPR and a defibrillator shock within 3 minutes of going into cardiac arrest survive 74 percent of the time. A person who does not receive AED defibrillator shock with in 10 minutes has almost zero chances of survival. AEDs are user-friendly and low-maintenance devices that can really make a difference.

New technology has made AEDs Equipments simple and user-friendly. Clear audio and visual cues tell users what to do when using an AED and coach people through CPR. A shock is delivered only if the victim needs it.

Sudden Cardiac Arrest Symptoms

Cardiac arrest is one of the greatest of all medical emergencies. Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) is a condition in which the heart suddenly and unexpectedly stops beating. The victim may or may not have diagnosed heart disease. When this happens, blood stops flowing to the brain and other vital organs. Most cases of SCA are due to an arrhythmia called ventricular fibrillation. Other electrical problems in the heart also can cause SCA. The irregular heart rhythm called arrhythmia can causes the heart to suddenly stop beating. Some cardiac arrests are caused due to extreme slowing of the heart. This is called bradycardia.

One needs to remember that Cardiac arrest strikes immediately and without warning. If a person has a cardiac arrest, they lose consciousness almost at once. This is the most extreme emergency. Unless someone starts cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) within three to four minutes followed by AED the person may suffer permanent damage to the brain and other organs. Use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) as soon as possible. One should know how to use AED Equipments.

Cardiac arrest can strikes immediately, without warning and are quite drastic. Here are some symptoms:

1) Sudden collapse
2) No pulse
3) No breathing
4) Loss of consciousness

Sometimes there are some early warning signs of Cardiac Attack like:

1) Respiratory arrest
2) Electrocution
3) Choking
4) Trauma
5) Chest pain
6) Weakness
7) Pounding in the chest
8) Fatigue
9) Fainting
10) Blackouts
11) Dizziness
12) Shortness of breath
13) Palpitations
14) Vomiting