Damar Hamlin, a safety for the Buffalo Bills, collapsed on the football field after taking a strong blow to the chest, prompting emergency personnel to provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to try restarting his heart.
Receiving even a streamlined, hands-only version of CPR when a heart stops beating (cardiac arrest) can at least double a person's chances of surviving. However, only about half of those who have a cardiac arrest outside of a hospital receive CPR from a bystander. And, because four out of every five cardiac arrests occur at home, the life you might save with CPR is more likely to be that of a loved one or someone you know rather than a stranger. Here are the CPR fundamentals for adults:
Understand two basic characteristics of cardiac arrest.
How do you know if someone is experiencing a heart attack? The following are two distinguishing features:
There is no response. There is no reaction if you say loudly, "Are you okay?" and shake someone's shoulders roughly.
Breathing abnormally. Check to see if their chest is going up and down, or put your face close to their nose and mouth to hear if they are breathing normally. The brain cannot receive enough oxygen from labored, erratic breathing, such as gasping or snorting.
First, dial 911—or, better yet, instruct someone nearby to dial 911. Put the phone on speaker so that you can begin CPR while waiting for instructions from the emergency operator.
Push down while maintaining your arms straight and your shoulders precisely above your hands. Push hard: compress the chest by at least two inches with your body weight.
Repeat the compressions several times, aiming for 100 to 120 pushes per minute.
It can be challenging to prioritise heart health during busy days. Simply put, it seems like you don't have time for routines that keep your ticker in tip-top shape, such as regular exercise, sufficient sleep, and a healthy diet. To add a few extra steps to your daily tally, you might choose to park further away from a store or take the stairs whenever you can. What else can you do, though? These three activities may fit into your schedule.
Replace a bad breakfast with a good one.
Do you typically eat a quick breakfast that is high in processed meat, refined (as opposed to whole) grains, saturated fat, and added sugar? Regular consumption of that type of food may increase weight, blood sugar, cholesterol, or calories, all of which are bad for your heart.
Instead, opt for breakfast items high in fibre, a type of carbohydrate that either passes through the body undigested (insoluble fibre) or turns into a gel that coats the gut (soluble fibre).
Change your online correspondence to a face-to-face meeting.
It's acceptable if your primary method of communication with others is texting, emailing, using social media, or making Zoom calls. A scientific statement from the American Heart Association that was published in the Journal of the American Heart Association says that it is not okay if these methods make you feel isolated or lonely, because these feelings have been linked to higher risks for heart disease, heart attack, or stroke.
Try to substitute some of your electronic back-and-forth with people with in-person meetings in order to combat loneliness and isolation. Maybe you can make time in your schedule for a brief lunch, a coffee break, or a stroll with a friend or coworker.
Since "it's just the flu," a lot of people think that they don't see the point in getting flu vaccines. They believe that influenza, also known as "the flu," is just a cold that will go away in a few days. Sadly, the flu usually has more severe symptoms than a cold, including worsened coughing, considerably worse aches and fatigue, and a higher fever. Additionally, the impact of the flu on the lungs might result in dangerously low blood oxygen levels. The flu can therefore result in hospitalisation and even death. This is not only a rare occurrence; according to the CDC, the flu caused 140,000 to 710,000 hospitalizations and 12,000 to 52,000 fatalities per year in the United States from 2010 to 2020. In comparison, about 40,000 people pass away in car accidents each year in the United States.
How does flu affect the heart? The heart is rarely directly infected by the virus. Instead, the virus's negative effects on the heart are caused by atherosclerosis of the heart's arteries. Atherosclerosis affects many people over the age of 50, yet it hasn't always been recognised in some cases. Less oxygen is delivered to the heart muscle as a result of atherosclerosis, which narrows the arteries and lowers blood flow. The flu's impact on the lungs diminishes blood oxygen levels, which further reduces the heart's ability to receive oxygen. A heart attack or cardiac arrest may result from this (sudden death).
The researchers analysed 13 studies with a combined participant population of more than 5.3 million participants. They discovered that the two most prevalent mental illnesses, anxiety and depression, were linked to an increased risk of afib by 25% and 10%, respectively. Anger was associated with a 15% increase in risk of Afib and significant work stress with an 18% increase in risk.
Researchers compared usual care with more intensive blood pressure control in six previously published clinical trials involving more than 27,000 adults with high blood pressure, aged 60 and older, in order to better understand how long it takes for older people to experience the health benefits of aggressive blood pressure treatment.
The researchers discovered that a significant decrease in the risk of a major cardiovascular event did not occur until 34 months after beginning more severe blood pressure treatment, with a target of systolic blood pressure (the first number in a reading) of less than 140 mm Hg.
What is cardiometabolic health?
Normal blood sugar (without taking medicine to lower blood sugar).
Ideal cholestotal level (without taking cholesterol-lowering drugs).
normal blood pressure (without taking drugs to decrease blood pressure)
There was no evidence of cardiovascular illness, such as a prior heart attack or stroke.
Dietary fat can be beneficial or detrimental to the heart. Make an informed choice.
There are 'no fats, low fats, healthy fats, and bad fats. Dietary fat has a lengthy and often perplexing history. Where does it fit into a balanced diet, and what effect does it have on your health, particularly your heart? The following are some facts regarding fat.
A tale about two kinds of fat
Saturated and unsaturated fats are the two types. (A third form, trans fat, has been abolished or significantly reduced in food products.)
Saturated fat is regarded as "bad" fat. It is found mostly in animal products such as beef and pork, as well as dairy products such as cream, butter, and cheese. Other sources include fast food and processed meals.
Unsaturated fat is the "healthy" type of fat. There are two major subtypes of unsaturated fats: monounsaturated and polyunsaturated.
Monounsaturated. Avocados, peanuts, peanut butter, and nuts such as almonds, hazelnuts, cashews, and pecans contain these lipids. Additionally, certain oils, such as olive, peanut, safflower, sunflower, and canola, contain significant amounts.
Polyunsaturated. Omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids are among these lipids. These are also referred to as essential fats because they cannot be synthesised by the body and must be obtained through meals. Omega-6 fatty acids are found in oils such as soybean, corn, sesame, and peanut. Additionally, they are abundant in walnuts, peanuts, pumpkin seeds, and flaxseeds. Canola and soybean oils, as well as fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel, herring, tuna, and trout, contain omega-3 fatty acids.
Poor sleep appears to be associated with a variety of health issues, including an increased risk of high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, and heart disease. A recent study on people in their forties discovered that having a mix of sleep issues—such as difficulty falling asleep, waking up in the middle of the night, or sleeping less than six hours a night—virtually triples a person's risk of heart disease.
"These new findings emphasise the significance of obtaining enough sleep," Many factors can contribute to a lack of sleep, he notes. Some folks simply do not give themselves enough time to sleep. Others have behaviours that interfere with or disrupt sleep. Some people also have health problems or sleep disorders that make it hard for them to sleep well or enough.
Who participated in the study?
The researchers gathered information from 7,483 participants in the Midlife in the United States Study who reported their sleep habits and history of heart disease. A subset of the 663 participants additionally wore a wrist-worn device that recorded their sleep activity (actigraphy). Women made up slightly more than half of those who took part. Three-quarters identified as white, while 16% identified as black. The average age was 53 years old.
Due to the fact that adults typically undergo different and challenging life events throughout this time in both their career and personal lives, researchers chose to concentrate on people in their midlife. Also, this is when clogged heart arteries, atherosclerosis (which can lead to heart disease), and sleep problems caused by getting older start to show up.
SLEEP MAY HELP YOU LOSE WEIGHT
How did researchers evaluate the sleep problems?
The effectiveness of sleep was measured by putting together different parts of sleep, such as
regularity (whether participants slept longer on work days versus nonwork days).
(whether they had issues falling asleep, woke up during the night or early morning and were unable to fall back asleep, or had daytime sleepiness)
alertness (how often they napped for more than five minutes)
efficiency (how long it took them to fall asleep at bedtime).
duration (how many hours they typically slept each night).
Participants were asked, "Have you ever experienced heart problems suspected or confirmed by a doctor?" used by researchers to gauge heart-related issues. and "Have you ever had a significant chest ache that lasted for at least 30 minutes?"
Follow-up inquiries about the diagnosis were prompted by a "yes" response to either query. These questions were about things like angina, which is a pain in the chest caused by not enough blood getting to the heart muscle, heart attacks, heart valve problems, irregular or fast heartbeat, and heart failure.
When heartburn is a frequent bed partner, it's difficult to sleep. How can you get rid of it? A small study suggests that sleeping on your left side may help, in addition to elevating your upper body with a wedge pillow, avoiding meals close to bedtime, and taking heartburn medications. The findings were published in The American Journal of Gastroenterology in February 2022. A total of 57 people with chronic heartburn were monitored while sleeping, with the same amount of time spent on their left, right, or back. The positions had no effect on the number of times participants' stomach acid back up into their esophagus (which causes heartburn pain). However, when participants were on their left side, as opposed to their back or right side, the acid cleared much faster. Less acid exposure can reduce heartburn pain as well as the risk of tissue damage and other serious problems.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center polled 2,618 men and women who were scheduled for coronary angiography (a specific x-ray that reveals blood flow through the arteries that feed the heart) about their expectations for their future cardiovascular health. They discovered that people with the highest expectations were 24% less likely to die of heart disease fifteen years later than those with the lowest expectations (Archives of Internal Medicine, online Feb. 28, 2011).
The ability to manage stress reduces the risk of developing anxiety, depression, and cardiovascular disease.
Reduced carbohydrate intake may improve several cardiovascular risk factors, but additional research is needed.
When many people envision a low-carbohydrate diet, they envision dishes heaped with red meat, bacon, and butter. Low-carbohydrate diets, which are frequently high in saturated fat, have long been considered bad for the heart. However, a study published online on Sept. 28, 2021, in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, discovered that a small amount of saturated fat may be OK if the rest of the diet is healthy.
The researchers discovered that following a well-designed low-carbohydrate diet plan appeared to minimize several risk factors for cardiovascular disease. This is despite the fact that saturated fat made up 21% of daily calories, which is more than double the amount of fat you should eat each day.
However, this does not mean you should remove all of the bread from your meal. It is premature to declare that a low-carbohydrate diet is actually heart-healthy. One cause for concern is that the researchers picked an unusually low-carbohydrate diet. "This was not a bacon and steak diet. This included nuts and lentils, vegetarian sloppy joes, salmon, and a variety of vegetables.
Reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke by aggressively decreasing your high systolic blood pressure (the top number). However, what significance does the diastolic (bottom) number have?
When it comes to blood pressure management, doctors typically focus on lowering the top (systolic) reading, and with good reason.
It has been proven that aggressively managing high systolic blood pressure will significantly reduce the risk of heart attack or stroke. However, what about the bottom number (diastolic)? It also plays a very important role in heart health, but one that is often overlooked.
A Tale of Two Digits
The two blood pressure readings indicate the heart's activity and rest. Systolic pressure is the pressure in the arteries caused by the contraction of the heart to pump blood throughout the body. The higher the number, the more difficult it is for the heart to pump blood.
Diastolic pressure refers to the pressure that exists between heartbeats. This pressure is necessary for coronary arteries to provide oxygen to the heart muscle. Normal blood pressure is defined as a systolic pressure of fewer than 120 millimetres of mercury (mm Hg) and a diastolic pressure of less than 80 mm Hg. A systolic value of 120 to 129 combined with a diastolic value of less than 80 is considered "elevated."
When it comes to diagnosing hypertension (high blood pressure), either number can be indicated if it is continually raised. For example, if your systolic blood pressure is 130 to 139 or your diastolic blood pressure is 80 to 89 — or both — you are said to have Stage 1 hypertension. Stage 2 hypertension is characterised by a systolic blood pressure of 140 or greater (or both) or diastolic blood pressure of 90 or greater. It's critical to monitor both numbers because, in several cases, if the systolic is elevated, the diastolic is elevated as well.
Poor sleep is now being linked to several health issues, including a higher risk of high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, and heart disease, according to increasing data. A new study of people in their midlife indicates that a combination of sleep issues, such as difficulty falling asleep, waking up in the middle of the night, or sleeping less than six hours each night, can virtually triple a person's risk of heart disease.
Is this the onset of a heart attack?
The new guidelines describe the sensations that patients may experience during a heart attack, as well as other probable causes of chest pain.
Never hesitate to contact 911 if you fear you are suffering a heart attack. When confronted with a potentially fatal situation, the saying "better safe than sorry" is always appropriate. However, there is an issue with the two terms we frequently employ to describe heart attack symptoms - chest pain.
Now, the first-ever guidelines for evaluating and diagnosing chest pain seek to clarify the situation by cataloguing the range of suspected heart attack symptoms. "Rather than using the term "pain," individuals frequently use the terms "pressure," "tightness," "squeezing," or "heaviness." Additionally, symptoms may manifest in the shoulders, arms, neck, back, upper abdomen, or jaw. The report, which was released late last year, also includes a road map to assist physicians in assessing chest discomfort through the selective use of the latest available diagnostics.
Q. Is there a distinction between sunstroke and heatstroke, and are there any specific indications or symptoms I should watch for?
A. These are two different words for the same illness. Heatstroke (or sunstroke) occurs when the body can no longer keep its temperature below 105° F when exposed to extreme heat. Although people almost always have warning symptoms prior to heatstroke, they frequently ignore them or are unable to act.
Everyone is aware that they should eat more healthily. So, why are they having such a hard time doing it?
Most people can recite the recipe for healthy eating: more fruits and vegetables, less red meat and processed meals. It appears to be quite straightforward. Nonetheless, Americans continue to struggle to maintain a healthy diet.
The top cause of mortality continues to be heart disease, while obesity rates have increased from 30.5 percent in 2000 to 42.4 percent in 2018. Adopting a healthy diet can help with both of these issues. Only about 22% of Americans follow the American Heart Association's dietary guidelines.
Therefore, if we understand how to eat healthfully, why isn't everyone doing it? Part of the problem stems from people's erroneous assumptions. Many people continue to believe that healthy food is excessively restricted – low fat, low calorie, low sugar. Then there's the impression that healthy foods are too expensive and complicated to prepare.
The underlying message is that good eating requires too much effort and that nutritious food is unappealing, "explains Teresa Fung, an adjunct professor of nutrition at Harvard's T.H. Chan School of Public Health.