What is Chronic Kidney Disease
Chronic kidney disease happens when your kidneys no longer filter your blood the way they should, so wastes and extra fluids accumulate in your body.
The two main causes of chronic kidney disease are diabetes and high blood pressure, which are responsible for up to two-thirds of the cases.
Everything you Need to Know about Blood Thinners
Blood thinners prevent the formation of blood clots and the associated life threatening conditions such as pulmonary embolism, heart attack or stroke.
Blood thinners are prescribed either for conditions known to promote blood clots (e.g atrial fibrillation, mechanical heart valve, major surgery, stents, atherosclerosis) or after a clot has been formed (e.g. arterial or vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism) to prevent new ones. When a clot has been formed, blood thinners will not dissolve it; however as they keep it from growing, they allow time to the body to release substances (thrombolytics) that will eventually break the clot down.
There are two types of blood thinners, the antiplatelets (e.g. aspirin) and the anticoagulants (e.g. heparin, warfarin), each one targeting one of the two different blood-clotting reactions in your body.
While their indications may differ, anticoagulants are considered more aggressive drugs than antiplatelets and carry a higher risk of serious side effects.
Antiplatelets
Antiplatelets are a group of medicines (e.g. aspirin, clopidogrel, prasugrel, ticagrelor) that stop blood cells (called platelets) from sticking together and forming a blood clot. While this is important to stop bleeding in case of an injury, it can be detrimental when occurring in vital blood vessels such the ones of the heart, the brain or the leg, leading to heart attack, stroke or foot gangrene respectively...
Anticoagulants
Anticoagulants are drugs (e.g. heparin, warfarin, dabigatran, rivaroxaban, apixaban, edoxaban) that interfere in the normal clotting process of your body lengthening the time needed to form a blood clot. In particular anticoagulants block one of the elements (proteins) of the clotting reaction...
Blood Thinners and Surgery
By thinning the blood, there is a higher risk for bleeding. During surgery this can be a problem. But that is only half the problem. The opposite is also true. If you stop blood thinners before surgery to prevent bleeding you can get a clot...
8 Simple Steps for your Vascular Health
A few good choices can help you feel better and stay healthier. Cardiac and vascular health are the cornerstone of long quality living.
Getting diagnosed with health problems such as hypertension or high cholesterol is a wake-up call that it's time to make major lifestyle changes. The good news is that a few simple changes can help you avoid such a diagnosis in the first place.
By focusing on seven key health factors and behaviors, what the American Heart Association calls Life's Simple 7®, you can maintain your cardiovascular health:
Blood Pressure - Hypertension
Blood pressure is the force of the blood pushing against the artery walls. The force is generated with each heartbeat as blood is pumped from the heart into the blood vessels. Each time the heart beats (contracts and relaxes), pressure is created inside the arteries...
Blood Cholesterol - Hypercholesterolemia
Cholesterol is a waxy substance and our bodies use it to make cell membranes, hormones and vitamin D. The cholesterol in our blood comes from two sources: the food we eat and our liver. Our liver, practically, makes all the cholesterol our body needs...
Blood Glucose – Diabetes
Glucose (blood sugar) is vital to your health because it's an important source of energy for the cells that make up your muscles and tissues. It's also your brain's main source of fuel. Glucose comes mainly from carbohydrates...
Smoking
Cigarette smokers have a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease. If you smoke, quitting is the best thing you can do for your health and for the ones you love. Smoking is one of our nation's top causes of early death...
Weight – Obesity
If you have too much fat, especially if a lot of it is at your waist, you're at higher risk for such health problems as high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol and diabetes. More than 2/3 of the American adult population is overweight...
Diet
A healthy diet is one of your best weapons for fighting cardiovascular disease and achieving a longer life. When you eat a healthy diet (foods low in saturated and trans fat, cholesterol, sodium and added sugars, and foods high in whole grain fiber...
Exercise - Activity
Want to feel better, have more energy and perhaps even live longer? Look no further than exercise. The health benefits of regular exercise and physical activity are hard to ignore. And the benefits of exercise are yours for the taking...
Sleep
Most adults need 7-9 hours of sleep each night. Children require more: 10-16 hours for ages 5 and younger, including naps; 9-12 hours for ages 6-12; and 8-10 hours for ages 13-18. Adequate sleep promotes healing, improves brain function and reduces the risk for chronic diseases....
Running for your Vascular and Overall Health!
Myths and reality on the fastest growing physical activity in the world.
Running is undergoing an unprecedented boom. All kinds of races (5K – 10K – half marathon, full marathon) or combinations with other activities (swimming or biking) have been popping up everywhere.
Some run for fun or because it is “trendy”, others run to fight their stress and others for their health. Indeed, exercise is undoubtedly the cornerstone of a healthy lifestyle. But how much running is enough, what are the real benefits and what are the risks?
How often, how long, how fast is healthy?
The benefit of leisure-time running in cardiovascular risk factor and overall health control is well established. Runners are less likely to experience high blood pressure, cholesterol problems, diabetes, strokes, certain cancers and even arthritis than the barely- or nonrunners.
Is high intensity running harmful?
For someone hoping to become a better, faster runner and potentially get engaged in high intensity activities (e.g. marathon) no additional health benefits should be anticipated, but rather a slightly increased risk for heart problems, as well as for running-related injuries and disabilities.
Is running harmful for my joints?
The idea that running is bad for your knees is a popular fitness myth. Contrary to popular belief, running does not cause arthritis or osteoarthritis later in life. The biggest risk factor for developing osteoarthritis is age and heredity, running or not.
Is running good for weight loss?
Runners have considerably lower prevalence of overweight and obesity than non-runners. While obesity is related to hereditary factors and high-calorie diets, running seems to mitigate their adverse effect on weight.
Page 2 of 3