PharmaPassport Health Tips Blog

June 22, 2011

Associations between Education and Blood Pressure

Filed under: high blood pressure — Tags: blood pressure, blood pressure medication, high blood pressure, lowering blood pressure, study of blood pressure — Kcondon @ 5:19 pm

A long-term study conducted with 3890 participants from the Framming Offspring Study set out to determine if blood pressure is inversely linked with education in developed countries. The study consisted of participants were put through 7 separate examinations through the course of 30 years. The average age of the participants was thirty six years. The study was seeking to establish an understanding on whether low education was associated with high blood pressure through many long assessments. Factors that could cause a difference at the baseline were separated for better results.

After considering age, obesity, blood pressure medication, alcohol, and smoking, the ending results concluded that people with less than 12 years of education suffered higher systolic blood pressure verses people who had more than 17 years of education. There was an evident difference in results after adjustments between male and female participants were made. Women who had less than 12 years of education had a 2.69 mmHg higher systolic blood pressure compared to women who were educated for 17 years or more. The link between education and high blood pressure was less dramatic in men. Men, who were educated for 12 years or less, had 1.20 mmHg higher systolic blood pressures than men who went to school for 17 years or more.

Elevated systolic blood pressure causes a number of ailments, especially heart disease. The conclusion of the study further explains the risk factors of cardiac arrest and aspects of lowering blood pressure. Thus, there is a natural association between education and systolic blood pressure.

Pharmapassport.com, a Canadian Internet-based pharmacy intermediary (license #BC X23), provides customers with low prices and long-term prescriptions drugs. All Canadian prescriptions are filled by a professionally registered pharmacist. For more information on how to order Canada drugs safely and securely call 1-866-293-3904 or visit http://www.pharmapassport.com/ – a trusted and reliable Canadian online pharmacy that has filled over 1 million prescriptions.

Comments (0)

July 26, 2010

Diet Soda is linked to Premature Births

Filed under: diets,pregnancy — Tags: aspartame, blood pressure, diet soda, high blood pressure, pregnancy, premature birth — Amanda @ 8:22 pm

Artificially sweetened soft drinks have been linked to high blood pressure and an increased risk of premature birth. A recent study examined almost 60,000 women at around 25 weeks of pregnancy. The women reported on their daily diet – specifically how many soft drinks they drank every day.

The study was conducted by the Statens Serum Institute in Copenhagen, Denmark. Lead Dr. Thorhallur I. Halldorsson said “It may be non-optimal for pregnant women to have a high consumption of these types of products”. Diet drinks sweetened with aspartame are considered to be good alternatives to their sugar-filled counterpart, but Halldorsson notes that there has been too little research on the safety of the consumption of artificial sweeteners. New studies have found a link between soft drinks and high blood pressure. High blood pressure increases the risk of premature birth.

After analyzing the results from the study of 60,000 pregnant women, it was found that 5% delivered their babies before 37 weeks. Women who had at least one serving of artificially sweetened soda a day while they were pregnant were 38% more likely to deliver their babies preterm than women who drank no diet soda at all.

The shocking find from the study was that women who had at least 4 diet sodas a day were 80% more likely to deliver preterm.

Only diet soda was linked to early delivery, not sugar sweetened soda. The findings propose that the artificial sweetener itself is the cause of the findings. However, researchers say that other possible causes for the link cannot be ruled out.

Comments (0)

July 5, 2010

6 Ways to Keep Your Heart Healthy

Filed under: healthy living,heart condition,heart disease,high blood pressure — Tags: beta-carotene, cholesterol, dieting, exercise, healthy living, heart disease, high blood pressure, quitting smoking, stroke — Amanda @ 9:06 pm

Heart disease is preventable, and maintaining a healthy heart will increase your quality of life. There are many everyday things you can do to ensure your heart is working at its best.

1. Don’t Smoke! Smoking is the worst thing you can do for your lungs and heart. If you are having trouble quitting, try eating sunflower seeds and oat straw infusion for a month before you quit. This will reduce your body’s craving for nicotine and strengthen the blood vessels and nerves before the impact of withdrawal.

2. Get More Beta-Carotenes - These reduce your risk of a stroke by 40%. Foods containing beta-carotene are carrots, cabbage, sweet potatoes, spinach, and apricots. Beta-carotene’s lower your cholesterol levels.

3. Embrace Garlic Breath – Garlic has the amazing ability to lower blood pressure, reduce cholesterol, strengthen the heart muscle, improve the immune system, stabilize blood sugar, and lower risk of stroke.

4. Exercise! The best thing you can do for yourself is to be active daily. Skipping rope is the best for your heart, but even walking and swimming and great exercises for your heart – as long as you are exercising on a regular basis.

5. Show affection - Recent studies have found that people who are lovingly touched everyday have a lower risk of developing heart problems than people who are not touched by others.

6. Be consistent - try not to be inconsistent in your eating habits. On and off dieting, fasting, and binging cause an imbalance in your electrolyte levels which will weaken your heart muscle and eventually lead to heart damage.

Comments (0)

June 21, 2010

Top 10 Proven Risk Factors for Stroke

Filed under: stroke — Tags: abdominal obesity, alcohol, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, low physical activity, risk factors, smoking, stress, stroke, unhealthy eating habits — Tanveen @ 4:31 pm

A recent study was performed using people who have just had their first stroke. Approximately 6000 people from twenty-two countries were studied from March 1, 2007 up until just last month. It was found that ten risk factors contribute for approximately 90% of all strokes. These risk factors include:

Smoking: Smokers are at an increased risk of stroke in comparison to non-smokers. Smoking damages the cardiovascular system significantly.

High Blood Pressure: Hypertension is known to be the number one cause of strokes. Treatment for high blood pressure is necessary in order to lower your risk.

Blood Lipids: A high level of blood of blood levels puts one at risk of stroke.

Low Physical Activity: If you are an inactive person your chances of stroke are significantly higher than active individuals. Lack of physical activity can cause many other health problems as well.

Abdominal Obesity: Many people in the United States are facing the same problem- obesity. Eating right and physical exercise are very important in order to obtain a normal weight.

Unhealthy Eating Habits: Developing a balanced meal plan is necessary in order to avoid stroke. Diets high in cholesterol, saturated fat, or unsaturated fat should be avoided.

Cardiovascular Disease: Any current heart problems or heart problems of the past put you at a greater risk of having a stroke in comparison to someone who has had no heart problems. Your family background can also have an impact.

Diabetes: Having diabetes increases the risk of stroke, but there are many things you can do in order to reduce that risk.

Stress: Many health problems can be traced back to stress. Stress has a negative impact on your body. Reducing stress is very important.

Alcohol Intake: Those who consume alcohol in large quantities or abuse it are at a high risk of stroke. Two drinks per day are recommended for men and one for women.

There are a lot of risk factors that you have no control over like your age, family backgrounds, and gender. You can however work towards limiting the list up top. In order to lower your chances of stroke avoid the list above as much as possible and work towards developing a healthier lifestyle.

Comments (0)

June 4, 2010

5 Skin Signs You Can’t Ignore

Filed under: health-tips — Tags: addison's disease, aspirin, eczema, ginkgo biloba, high blood pressure, hypothyroidism, photo sensitivity, skin, thyroid, vitamin c, vitamins — Amanda @ 12:23 am

Medical conditions affect all parts of the body including fingernails and skin! Here are some serious skin warning signs that you can’t afford to ignore.

1. Long dark lines in the palms

If you have long deep dark lines in the palms of your hands it could be a sign of an adrenal insufficiency – like Addison’s’ disease. Other signs of Addison’s disease include dark pigmentation around scars, lips, and knees and knuckles. People that suffer from Addison’s disease have low blood pressure and salt loss. If you ever have any unusual visual symptoms you should let your doctor know as soon as possible.

2. Sun Rashes

If you’re taking a photo sensitizing medication or if you have sensitive skin, you may develop an itchy rash that is hive-like or looks like eczema. Sometimes the chemicals in certain medications can cause a person to have an increased sensitivity to light. You’ll know if it’s a sun rash if it occurs only on areas that were recently exposed to sunlight. It can feel very uncomfortable and cause a tightening feeling – especially in the face around the lips – and last longer than a sun burn. Check your prescription medications for photo-sensitizing chemicals. Some medications will say “can cause chemical photosensitivity”. Be sure to wear a high SPF sun block but be aware that this may not prevent a sun rash. Your best defense is to stay in the shade and wear hats and loose clothing at the beach.

3. Purple stains

Purpura is often confused with a bruise because it looks like one. The difference is that it lasts longer and isn’t caused by a bump or a bang. Purpura is caused by broken blood vessels under the skin. It can be caused by many conditions including bleeding disorders and scurvy. It is most common in older adults whose skin is more fragile by years of sun damage and weakened vessels. Excessive use of aspirin, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory, blood thinners, and ginkgo biloba can make Purpura spots worse. Purpura discoloration starts red and eventually turns purple. It can last for a long time before turning brown and slowly fading. The color doesn’t go away when you press on it, and it can cover large areas of the body or show up in small specks. If you notice extensive signs of Purpura, tell your doctor.

4. Pale skin and blue nails

If you have paler than usual skin on the face and palms, and a pale blue tinge at the base of your fingernails you may be suffering from Anemia. This can be because of an iron deficiency, blood loss from bowel disease, or ulcer disease. Anemia also causes your gums, lips, and mouth tissues to become lighter than usual. Other symptoms of Anemia include dizziness, fatigue, headaches, and shortness of breath. Consult a doctor if you have signs of anemia.

5. Yellow skin, orange palms

This doesn’t mean that you’ve eaten too many carrots – it can possibly be the doings of your thyroid gland. Hypothyroidism can cause an increase in beta-carotene levels in the blood. If your thyroid gland cannot metabolize the vitamins as quickly as it should, beta-carotene can build up and cause your skin to turn orange or yellow in color. Your skin may also feel cold and dry. Fatigue, weakness, and aching are also major signs of hypothyroidism. You can, however, get orange skin by a heavy diet of carrots, carrot juice, sweet potatoes, and squash. If you haven’t been snacking on these foods then you may want to go see a doctor about your thyroid.

Comments (0)