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An Overview Of Inflammation As A Heart Disease Risk Factor

Inflammation is an important component of the body’s infection-fighting defense system integral for the healing process, however, chronic inflammation is a major heart disease risk factor (besides high blood pressure and high LDL cholesterol). Working to reduce inflammation can help prevent life-threatening emergencies, such as a heart attack or stroke. Some other conditions that inflammation leads to or may worsen include Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, asthma, type 2 diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, and rheumatoid arthritis.



It is mainly through a test for C-reactive protein that health care providers confirm inflammation levels in an individual.

Here are some ways you can keep the inflammation levels of your body in check:

1.      Receive adequate sleep (7-9 hours at least)

2.      Quit smoking

3.      Manage stress

4.      Keep your weight in a healthy range

5.      Control levels of blood sugar by cutting down intake of or steering clear of simple carbohydrates, such as white flour and refined sugar.

6.      Turmeric, ginger, and fish oil supplements are known to lower inflammation, however take these only in consultation with a doctor.

7.      An anti-inflammatory diet can be highly beneficial (comprises fruits and vegetables, fatty fish like tuna, sardines, nuts and olive oil, experts recommend the Mediterranean diet, which has been shown to be effective in reducing inflammation).

8.      Perform moderate exercise for at least 30 minutes five days a week, which can help by creating good anti-inflammatory chemicals in the body (consult your doctor though for an exercise that suits your body and current state of health).

9.      When it comes to joint inflammation, consider anti-inflammatory medicines if rest, ice, compression, elevation (REST) don’t work.

Foods to eat and avoid to lower inflammation:

Eat- Fruits and vegetables (dark leafy greens in particular), whole grains, fatty fish (salmon, mackerel, herring- contains the heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids), beans, olive oil, turmeric and ginger.

Avoid- Unhealthy saturated fats, dairy, alcohol, refined sugar, red meat, refined flour, and oils like sunflower, safflower and grapeseed.

Getting screened for inflammation isn’t the norm among people, but it has to change since the only way to check inflammation levels in someone is through a blood test. Adopting healthy lifestyle measures as mentioned above can effectively lower this risk factor, which otherwise can wreak havoc on your heart health. A statin drug may as well be prescribed for those at significantly higher risk of cardiovascular disease. The statin drug is a cholesterol-lowering medicine which is said to lower inflammation in the arteries thereby cutting down on the risk of strokes and heart attacks.

Keep in mind that measures to reduce inflammation pay great dividends over time with improved overall heath and reduced risk of chronic disease.

CPR is a lifesaving technique everyone should be knowledgeable about. Proper administration of the procedure (a series of chest compressions and rescue breaths) can restore the life of a sudden cardiac arrest victim. To sign up for a class, contact CPR Tampa in Palm Harbor at 727-240-9404. Learn from the best at our AHA certified training site. 

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