Heart Health and Depression

Heart Health and Depression

FACTS: 
Two of the most common illnesses suffered in today's society depression and heart disease. In fact, more than 25 million people in the United States are living with heart disease and more than 31 million Americans have had at least one episode of major depression during their lives. What most people do not know is that these conditions are also closely linked. People with depression are at greater risk of developing heart disease. Depression may directly or indirectly affect the heart in many ways. Researchers believe that changes in the heart’s electrical system, increases in stress hormones and blood pressure, changes in blood clotting, insulin and cholesterol levels may occur as a result of depression.  Source: Depression and Heart Disease, Arthur Schoenstadt, MD

HOPE:
The good news is that depressive feelings often can be managed and overcome. Here are seven simple, but effective, strategies for combating the blues and making the transition from sad to glad: 1) Work off depression through exercise; 2) Schedule joy - upbeat activities should be planned; 3) Introduce more light into daily life-researchers recommend opening curtains as widely as possible, getting outside daily for a brisk walk, adding better and brighter lights inside a living area; 4) Operate from volunteering and assisting others; Add color- Color psychologist Patricia Szczerba says: "Color can be a nutrient for the mind just as vitamins are for the body;"
6) Seek out positive people- Surround yourself with people who are enjoying life. Happiness is contagious. 7) When the “blues” don’t go away, seek appropriate help from your physician and counselor. Source: Victor M. Parachin, Pastor, Counselor, Supervision,1991

WHOLENESS:

A joyful heart (soul) does good like a medicine, but a sad spirit withers the bones.
Proverbs 17:22

Heart Health : Stroke

FACTS:

There are about 500,000 strokes per year in the United States. In fact, every 45 seconds someone in the U.S. will experience a stroke.  It's the third largest cause of death, ranking behind Heart Disease and all forms of Cancer. Stroke is a leading cause of serious, long-term disability in the United States. High Blood Pressure is the number one risk factor for stroke.

 Incidence of Total (First Ever and Recurrent Stroke) Stroke. 1999. Williams, Jiang, et al.

 American Heart Association

HOPE:

If you have high blood pressure, you can often lower it by simply modifying your diet in order to lose weight, reduce fat intake, and reduce overall calories. Reducing salt intake is important for some people. These dietary changes, along with a little exercise, can really help to reduce high blood pressure. Research indicates that women who walked 2 or 3 hours a week had a 30% lower risk of any type of stroke and those who usually walked at a brisk pace had a 37% lower risk of any type of stroke. ( Women’s Health Study published in Stroke: Journal of the American Heart Association)

If the blood pressure of the entire population was controlled (regular exercise, a prudent diet low in fat and high in fruit and vegetables) we would eliminate 246,500 strokes each year. If we all reduced cholesterol levels, we would eliminate 100,000 strokes. If the entire country stopped smoking, 61,500 strokes would not occur. If we eliminated heavy alcohol use, 23,500 strokes would be eliminated. The Stroke Network

These numbers give us an idea of how much we can really do to decrease our stroke risk. Know what your risk factors are. Do what you can to modify your lifestyle. Think of the good things that can be done, that can be enjoyable, and that you can adopt into your day-to-day routines. If you need medications, don't forget to take them as prescribed. Remember that even small changes can make big differences.

WHOLENESS:

“…or don’t you know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.”

1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Heart Health

FACTS:
Blockage of the arteries that supply blood to the heart (coronary heart disease) still causes more deaths in the United States than any other condition.  Source: American College of Physicians, American Society of Internal Medicine.

HOPE:
A study was designed to examine whether a diet high in fruit and vegetable consumption reduces the risk for coronary heart disease.  The study included 84,251 women (34-59 years of age) and 42,148 men (40-75 years of age). Women were followed for 14 years and men for 8 years.
What did the researchers find? Although the lower occurrence of heart attacks was partly explained by health factors other than diet, it was also independently related to high fruit and vegetable intake. For every serving increase in the intake of fruits or vegetables, there was an associated 4% lower risk for coronary heart disease. Green leafy vegetables and fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin C were most protective against heart attacks.  Source: “The Effect of Fruit and Vegetable Intake on Risk for Coronary Heart Disease.” 19 June 2001 issue of Annals of Internal Medicine (volume 134, pages 1106-1114).

WHOLENESS:
“And God said, “Look! I have given you the seed-bearing plants throughout the earth and all the fruit trees for your food…Then God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was excellent in everyway.” Gen 1: 28-31 NLT  

High Cholesterol and Heart Disease

High Cholesterol and Heart Disease 
FACTS:  

High blood cholesterol is one of the major risk factors for heart disease. A risk factor is a condition that increases your chance of getting a disease. In fact, the higher your total  blood cholesterol level, the greater your risk for developing heart disease or having a heart attack.National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

HOPE:  

HDL cholesterol is protective to the arteries, helping remove excess cholesterol from the artery walls, thus keeping the arteries open and unclogged. Some studies show that HDL levels are an even better predictor of overall risk of heart disease than total cholesterol levels. Men should aim for HDL levels at 45 or higher; Women should aim for HDL levels at 55 or higher. An ideal level is 60 mg/dl or more. HDL levels less than 40 are considered high risk.

NHLBI Clinical Guidelines on Cholesterol Management report that to make improvements in your HDL cholesterol level and significantly reduce your risk of heart disease, follow these recommendations:
1) Set a goal of reaching 12-20 aerobic miles per week – this level of activity seems to be needed to achieve improvements in HDL levels.
2) Achieve and maintain a healthy body weight – eating lots of refined carbohydrates can depress HDL levels;
3) Avoid smoking
4) Choose to eat “healthy fats” – Fats from plant sources, including nuts and seeeds


WHOLENESS:

“Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”                                                                                            Psalm 90:12