Heart Disease Intervention
For Clementine Frost
Concerns
Some concerns were established with the current state of health of your body.
- Weight is considerably under what is recommended/healthy for someone 5'2".
- Blood Pressure is also higher than healthy. This, in addition to high cholesterol, high LDL, and low HDL are contributing to the risk of Heart Disease related problems (visit this flyer for more information on cholesterol).
- Type one diabetes can also contribute to cardiovascular problems, and should be monitored and managed.
- Passing out and experiencing transient ischemic attacks is also a factor indicating a high risk of further complications.
- Family history also develops the risk.
The following are three lifestyle changes that, if followed, will greatly decrease your risk of Heart Disease problems.
Overworking
Working overtime usually results in increased levels of stress and therefore, increased cardiovascular and circulatory problems such as blood pressure. This can add an even greater possibility of heart attack or stroke, adding onto previous problems.
Ingesting Energy Providing Drinks
These drinks raise blood pressure and increase risk of cardiac arrest. They stimulate heart rate, and those with previous cardiac problems will be at an even greater risk of cardiac arrest when drinking them, especially when ingestion is more than moderate.
Smoking
Smoking is damaging to every organ in the body, including the heart and blood vessels. It decreases HDL ("good" cholesterol", increases heart rate, increases blood pressure, damages blood vessels (often hardening them), and also damages the heart itself.
Overworking Solved: Take a Break
Try to take a break from work for a while. Maybe ask for a week off or pick up less hours. Take some time for yourself. It is important to take care of your body and often times we forget to listen to what our body needs. Make sure to leave someone that you trust in charge so that you are not spending your time off worrying. These days will decrease your risk because they will allow you to get rid of stress, pamper yourself, and rest and relax. You will have more time for sleep and cooking good, healthy meals for your body. These home cooked meals should be low in cholesterol (try eating some oatmeal, salmon, nuts, fruits, and other fresh items). Getting enough sleep will allow your body to heal and have enough energy to do its job. Because of this you will not need as many energy drinks...
Reduce Energy Drinks
The best and most effective suggestion for this is to simply get enough sleep. An adult should get between seven to eight hours of sleep; if you receive this much, you will not need an energy drink to keep you going. If you are having trouble falling asleep it could be because of the caffeine still in your system. Try reading a book or listening to classical music. If the problem still persists, it might be necessary to contact a sleep doctor. Grogginess will most likely still be experienced but try drinking a cold glass of water or doing a few jumping jacks instead of reaching for an unhealthy, artificial energy booster. It is also important that you are drinking about eight glasses. If this kind of change is too drastic, try to ween yourself off. Start by swapping one energy drink for a glass of water of juice, each day. Also, black coffee is a healthier alternative to the crazy cappuccino you get at Starbuck's.
Quit Smoking
Smoking is a huge contributor to cardiovascular and circulatory problems; although, quitting may seem impossible, it can be done with some hard work and help along the way. Start out by setting a date and telling those you trust, so that you may be held accountable. Get your environment ready for this by surrounding yourself with encouraging people and places. It also might be helpful to use something such as nicotine gum or patches. There are also specialists that can help such as psychologists and hypnotists, and groups of other people with the same goal as you. It may help to watch videos or read the stories of those who got over their cigarette addiction. Quitting smoking will be incredibly beneficial and will definitely set you on a path of healthy success.
Citations
Top 14 Energy Drink Dangers. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.caffeineinformer.com/top-10-energy-drink-dangers
Harvard Medical School. (n.d.). Consequences of Insufficient Sleep. Retrieved April 5, 2016, from http://healthysleep.med.harvard.edu/healthy/matters/consequences
National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. (2015, December 17). How Does Smoking Affect the Heart and Blood Vessels? Retrieved April 5, 2016, from http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/smo