Heart and Cardio-vascular

The team looked at whether having something called “dispositional mindfulness”—which means you’re the type of person who’s very aware and attentive to what you’re feeling and thinking at any given moment—was a factor for heart health. They found a pretty significant connection: people with high mindfulness scores had an 83% greater prevalence of good cardiovascular health. “It does seem like mindfulness can be taught,” he says. “I think it’s good for it to be available for people who are…

Have you been surprised to hear about fit and even young athletes having a cardiac arrest and even a sudden death? Can exercising be bad for you? Dr Shital Raval Patel unpacks the causes, risks, and the screening recommended. We often read and hear about young, fit people and athletes having a sudden heart related incident and even succumbing to it while performing or working out and it is the most shocking news ever! It’s incomprehensible especially because we know them to be the…

Your size is not a matter of perception but a mathematical fact that you can calculate, says Dr Gita Mathai. What are the commonly used parameters? The BMI (Body Mass Index) is easily measured. It is weight (in kg) divided by height (in meters) squared. BMI Weight Status Below 18.5 Underweight 18.5 – 23.9 Normal 24.0 – 29.9 Overweight 30.0 and Above Obese BMI has some limitations. If it is calculated for adults who are very muscular, or very thin, they may fall erroneously into…

- By nutritionist Kohila Govindaraju Breakfast Fried beehoon (plain) with bean sprouts, stir-fried vegetables (cabbage/string beans/French beans/ okra) - 2 servings  Tip: One serving is 3⁄4 of a coffee mug (glass mug/cup served at hawker coffee stall)  Or  Wholegrain sandwich with egg, lettuce, tomato and cheese or light mayonnaise Kopi O or Teh O Mid-morning snack Have any one of the following: An apple or banana or bowl of chopped carrots or celery or jicama (…

Childhood obesity can have a harmful effect on the body in a variety of ways. Obese children are more likely to have : High blood pressure and high cholesterol, which are risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD). In one study, 70% of obese children had at least one CVD risk factor, and 39% had two or more. Increased risk of impaired glucose tolerance, insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. Breathing problems, such as sleep apnea, and asthma. Joint problems and musculoskeletal…

Mine went like this: altogether well one moment, vaguely unwell the next; fluttery sensation at the sternum, rising into the throat; mild chest pressure; then chills, sudden nausea, vomiting, some diarrhea. No high drama, just a mixed bag of somethings that added up to nothing you could name. Maybe flu, maybe a bad mussel, maybe too much wine, but the chest pressure caused me to say to my second husband, “Could this be a heart attack?”  Our hearts kill more of us than all kinds of cancer…

Planning a pregnancy? Obstetrician and gynaecologist Dr Chandan Dubey tells you what you need to do before you conceive. A woman’s good health prior to and during pregnancy is vital for optimal outcomes for her and the baby. You should consult a general physician or gynaecologist for preconception care and counselling. In the meantime, here’s what you should be aware of:  Lose weight (if you are overweight): Obesity is a serious problem in pregnancy. It increases the…

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Contrave (naltrexone hydrochloride and bupropion hydrochloride extended-release tablets) as treatment option for chronic weight management in addition to a reduced-calorie diet and physical activity. The drug is approved for use in adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater (obesity) or adults with a BMI of 27 or greater (overweight) who have at least one weight-related condition such as high blood pressure (hypertension), type 2…

People who live in neighborhoods that are conducive to walking experienced a substantially lower rate of obesity, overweight and diabetes than those who lived in more auto-dependent neighborhoods, according to a pair of studies presented at the American Diabetes Association's 74th Scientific Sessions. http://www.diabetescare.net/article/title/neighborboods-that-encourage-walking-reduce-obesity-and-diabetes   Those who read this, also read one of our contributor's journey as a diabetic for…

Hypertension or high blood pressure refers to the amount of force exerted by the blood against the walls of the arteries. A person's blood pressure is considered high when the readings are greater than 140 mm Hg systolic (the top number in the blood pressure reading which shows the force of the blood in the arteries as the heart beats) or 90 mm Hg diastolic (the bottom number shows the force of blood in the arteries as the heart relaxes between the beats). Read…