6 Tips for Keeping a Healthy Smile (and reducing heart disease risk)
Contributed by Ryan Peterson.
When it comes to your oral health, it’s something that you don’t want to ever neglect. Our pearly whites are more important to us than you may think. If we get an infection in our mouth, there’s a chance that it can spread to the rest of the body. Multiple studies have shown a strong association between oral health and heart disease. In general, having a healthy mouth is very important and it truly can affect multiple aspects of your health.
Here are some dental care tips to ensure that you have a healthy smile.
Brush and floss every day
Since you were a child, you were told to brush every day, twice a day. We already know to brush once in the morning and once at night. But plenty of people neglect to floss. Flossing is so important as it removes plaque from spots your toothbrush can’t reach. Plaque can eventually lead to tooth decay if you’re not careful, but it can even lead to gum disease as well as cardiovascular problems.
Have a healthy diet
You already know that sugar isn’t the best for your teeth. A healthy diet is wonderful for your mental health, physical health, as well as your oral health. Good nutrition is going to build strong bones and teeth. Fruits and vegetables are quite chewy which helps the production of saliva. Saliva helps in cleaning out the mouth naturally. You can utilize both a nutritionist to help you get on track with a balanced diet as well as one of the many nutrition apps available to maintain positive changes (ie a food diary).
Continue readingMyths About Heart Health That You Should Know
Contributed by Ryan Peterson.
Much has been written about proper nutrition for heart patients, but some information has turned out to be a myth. To educate yourself further, consider reading Brad Schaeffer MedComp Sciences. Below I cover why these 3 nutritional myths belong in the realm of fairy tales.
Myth 1:
“People affected by chronic heart disease should consume omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. These fatty acids have a protective effect on blood vessels.” This is partly true. Basically, omega polyunsaturated fatty acids are healthy. However, omega-3’s and omega-6’s differ in their effect. Omega-3 fatty acids work against inflammation, blood clots, and cardiac arrhythmias, and they also lower blood pressure. The composition of the fats in the blood and the health of the blood vessel walls can be improved by eating a diet rich in omega-3s. On the other hand, omega-6 fatty acids can both fight and promote inflammation. The body can use omega-6 fatty acid to make molecules that promote inflammation. Therefore, the proportion of omega-6 fatty acids compared to omega-3 fatty acids in food should not exceed a ratio of 5:1.
Continue readingWhy Heart Disease Is Increasing in The United States
For some years now, heart disease has been the number one killer in the United States. According to Healthline research, 647,000 Americans die annually from poor heart health or other conditions related to the heart and the cardiovascular system in general. The CDC says the numbers may increase by 2025 if Americans don’t take the necessary steps. So why is heart disease on the rise in the US? Why is it cutting short people’s lifespan? This article compiles some reasons this is so.
1. Increased cases of obesity
According to the CDC, the average American is overweight and does not make healthy choices to lose the excess weight. The current obesity prevalence rate in the country stands at 42.4% (2020), and even this statistic is exclusively for persons considered as morbidly obese. So how does obesity contribute to poor heart health? First, obesity is the abnormal accumulation of fat in the body with increased risks of health problems.
The truth about fat buildup is the increased chances of causing blockages in the arteries and blood vessel walls. The plaque accumulation in these already narrow blood channels impedes the adequate flow of blood to the body. Additionally, the heart is made to work even harder to pump blood to the entire body due to this problem.
Remember, the heart is a muscle, but obesity causes excess fat buildup around it. This is known as pericardial fat. If left untreated, the combination of blocked arteries and several other elements at play can lead to heart disease.
Continue reading4 Life Decisions for People Serious About Their Heart Health
Your heart is arguably the most important organ in your body, and you must take steps to maintain its vitality and function. Many factors play a role in heart health.
Everything you do in your life impacts your heart. Take steps to ensure your actions improve and strengthen your heart, and maintain overall good health in the process. Let’s review four lifestyle decisions to focus on if you are serious about your heart health.
1. Change Your Diet
Make sure you do as much as possible to improve the way in which you fuel your heart better. Adjust your diet to ensure your dietary choices are in line with a heart-healthy diet. Some basics of a heart-healthy diet include regulating portion sizes, consuming, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and limiting unhealthy fats. Assess your diet and determine where you need to make adjustments. Make sure the steps you take are steps you can maintain long-term.
Continue readingNotable Impacts of Drug Abuse on Your Heart Health
Contributed by Ryan Peterson.
Most illicit drugs have a negative impact on cardiovascular health. Prolonged use of illicit drugs can have severe impacts beyond your heart health, such as death. Drugs can reduce the rate of blood flow into the heart, which can impair the functioning of your organs and muscles. There are two types of drugs with notable impacts on your heart health.
First, drugs such as cocaine can increase your heart rate and blood pressure. In addition, the more you use cocaine, you may experience a decrease in coronary artery diameter which reduces blood flow.
Cocaine is also associated with irregular heartbeats and QT prolongation, increasing the time between your heartbeats. Other serious medical emergencies connected to cocaine abuse are thrombosis, atherosclerosis, endothelial dysfunction, and microvascular diseases.
A commonly used drug with significant effects on your heart is nicotine. Though by itself, nicotine doesn’t cause any overwhelming heart diseases, the non-combusted form can cause adverse effects on your heart. Some of these effects include narrowing and thickening your heart’s blood vessels, along with increased fat in your blood. Consequently, it can damage blood vessel cells and increase blood clot risk.
Continue readingCan Heart Disease Lead To Hearing Loss?
Contributed by Ryan Peterson.
While it might sound surprising, your heart can have a direct impact on your hearing health. Your hearing is very reliant on the blood flow that gets to your ear, and if that becomes impaired, hearing loss can occur. If you have heart disease, it’s possible for heart disease to lead to hearing loss. Any kind of restriction in the arteries that prevents the ears from getting needed blood can cause damage to your ears. This is not a definitive side effect of heart disease, but you should be aware of all potential side effects so you can treat the issue appropriately.
Every organ in your body is reliant on your heart.
How to identify hearing loss
If you’re experiencing hearing loss, you may not know about it straight away. It could take you months to realize what you are experiencing is a result of a loss of hearing, rather than an odd occurrence. Others might notice it before you do, which is when you should show some concern and see a professional.
If you find yourself constantly asking others to repeat themselves, be it over the phone or in person, it is something to consider as a concern. Everyone is different and it doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re experiencing hearing loss, but it’s still a red flag to get checked.
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