Sticky Blood: Heart Disease & Atherosclerosis

“Doctors now believe they are hot on the trail of the missing piece. They are convinced that it resides in the blood. In recent years, blood clots that plug the heart’s tiny arteries have emerged as the prime culprits in perhaps 80 percent of heart attacks, and smaller clots appear to contribute to the more chronic process of hardening of the arteries, or atherosclerosis. Now cardiologists have collected impressive evidence that the blood of heart attack victims may form clots too readily and stick with unusual tenacity to vessel walls, blocking the arteries of the heart.”

The New York Times: Science Article

“The study is the first to link blood stickiness to the early development of atherosclerosis, which results from the build-up of cholesterol, fats and biological debris in the tissue lining the inside of blood vessels. This build-up can obstruct blood flow to the heart and brain and thereby cause a heart attack or stroke.”

Science Daily Article

“According to the Times Online, a study involving 30 university students showed that one hour after they consumed one can of Red Bull sugar-free, they had the cardiovascular profile of someone with heart disease. They believe that a chemical in the sugar-free Red Bull causes the blood to become sticky which could cause blood clots.

Red Bull has denied this study stating that none of their research indicated any potential problems with the beverage. They said that it was in 143 countries and has never been banned where it was introduced.

The Australian researchers warn people with heart problems to stay away from the sugar-free Red Bull, claiming that it could make the condition worse. No problems were linked to the regular Red Bull, so my advice would be to drink that one instead.”

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Why do I need a heart rate monitor?

The stylish Polar F6 lets you design a more effective workout. An integrated training journal makes the Polar F6 especially useful and stores the 12 most recent workouts and a summary of the last 12 weeks.

- Coded Transmitter

- Time of Day

- Continuous ECG accurate Heart Rate

- Polar F6 can display heart rate as either BPM (beats per minute or % of max HR)

- Target Zone training alarm. This can be based on % HR or BPM. The alarm will “bleep” when you over/under train. It is possible to set the alarm to quiet, off, or loud

- Total Exercise time with summary of average heart rate

- Large, easy to read digits

- Water Resistant to 30m

- Daily Alarm

- Back Light

- Exercise Diary – the last weeks worth of exercise data can be reviewed to show calories burnt, how many times you’ve exercised, exercise time and time in light, moderate and hard exercise zones.

- Recall of training data through – “files” menu. The Polar F6 has an extensive recall system giving access to the last 12 exercise sessions. Data recalled includes duration, calories burnt and % of fat calories, maximum heart rate, average heart rate and time in training zone.

- Stopwatch

- Fitness bullets – a fitness bullet will appear on the top line of the display, one for every 10 minutes spent inside your training zone

- Realtime, while exercising, “time in target zone” indicator. This is useful when specifically trying to achieve, for example, 35 minutes in cardio improvement zone.

- Real-time, while exercising, display of calories burnt. Similar to the “time in zone” indicator this is another good target to aim for.

Why do I need a heart rate monitor?

The stylish Polar F6 lets you design a more effective workout. An integrated training journal makes the Polar F6 especially useful and stores the 12 most recent workouts and a summary of the last 12 weeks.

- Coded Transmitter

- Time of Day

- Continuous ECG accurate Heart Rate

- Polar F6 can display heart rate as either BPM (beats per minute or % of max HR)

- Target Zone training alarm. This can be based on % HR or BPM. The alarm will “bleep” when you over/under train. It is possible to set the alarm to quiet, off, or loud

- Total Exercise time with summary of average heart rate

- Large, easy to read digits

- Water Resistant to 30m

- Daily Alarm

- Back Light

- Exercise Diary – the last weeks worth of exercise data can be reviewed to show calories burnt, how many times you’ve exercised, exercise time and time in light, moderate and hard exercise zones.

- Recall of training data through – “files” menu. The Polar F6 has an extensive recall system giving access to the last 12 exercise sessions. Data recalled includes duration, calories burnt and % of fat calories, maximum heart rate, average heart rate and time in training zone.

- Stopwatch

- Fitness bullets – a fitness bullet will appear on the top line of the display, one for every 10 minutes spent inside your training zone

- Realtime, while exercising, “time in target zone” indicator. This is useful when specifically trying to achieve, for example, 35 minutes in cardio improvement zone.

- Real-time, while exercising, display of calories burnt. Similar to the “time in zone” indicator this is another good target to aim for.

Your TARGET HEART RATE

Your Target Heart Rate, from 60 to 80 percent of the maximum your heart can beat, should be your goal three to five times a week for 20 to 60 minutes (excluding warm-ups) to maximize the health benefits of cardiovascular activity, including losing weight. People who exercise regularly do build up endurance, but they gain little additional value when their heart rate goes above 80 percent of their maximum. Besides the strain and injuries that can result, the heart is simply working too fast for any benefit, and your body cannot replenish oxygen that quickly. Similarly, regular exercise below the 60 percent mark has little sustainable impact — though for beginners, it’s a good place to start. Click below to get started. The link will take you to another site, so make sure to come back for more fitness information.

Your TARGET HEART RATE

Your Target Heart Rate, from 60 to 80 percent of the maximum your heart can beat, should be your goal three to five times a week for 20 to 60 minutes (excluding warm-ups) to maximize the health benefits of cardiovascular activity, including losing weight. People who exercise regularly do build up endurance, but they gain little additional value when their heart rate goes above 80 percent of their maximum. Besides the strain and injuries that can result, the heart is simply working too fast for any benefit, and your body cannot replenish oxygen that quickly. Similarly, regular exercise below the 60 percent mark has little sustainable impact — though for beginners, it’s a good place to start. Click below to get started. The link will take you to another site, so make sure to come back for more fitness information.

‘Runner’s High’ May Also Strengthen Hearts

Endorphins and other morphine-like substances known as opioids, which are released during exercise, don’t just make you feel good — they may also protect you from heart attacks, according to University of Iowa researchers.

It has long been known that the so-called “runner’s high” is caused by natural opioids that are released during exercise. However, a UI study, which is published in the online edition of the American Journal of Physiology’s Heart and Circulatory Physiology, suggests that these opioids may also be responsible for some of exercise’s cardiovascular benefits.

Working with rats, UI researchers showed that blocking the receptors that bind morphine, endorphins and other opioids eliminates the cardiovascular benefits of exercise. Moreover, the UI team showed that exercise was associated with increased
expression of several genes involved in opioid pathways that appear to be critical in protecting the heart.

“This is the first evidence linking the natural opioids produced during exercise to the cardio-protective effects of exercise,” said Eric Dickson, M.D., UI associate professor and head of emergency medicine in the Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine and the study’s lead investigator. “We have known for a long time that exercise is great for the heart. This study helps us better understand why.”

Studies have shown that regular vigorous exercise reduces the risk of having a heart attack and improves survival rates following heart attack, even in people with cardiovascular disease. In addition, exercise also decreases the risk of atherosclerosis, stroke, osteoporosis and even depression. However, despite these proven health benefits, much less is understood about how exercise produces these benefits.

The UI study investigated the idea that the opioids produced by exercise might have a direct role in cardio-protection. The researchers compared rats that exercised with rats that did not. As expected, exercised rats sustained significantly less heart damage from a heart attack than non-exercised rats. The researchers then showed that blocking opioid receptors completely eliminated these cardio-protective effects in exercising rats, suggesting that opioids are responsible for some of the cardiac benefits of exercise.

The UI team also showed that exercise was associated with transient increases in expression of several opioid system genes in heart muscle, and changes in expression of other genes that are involved in inflammation and cell death. The researchers plan to investigate whether these altered gene expression patterns reveal specific cardio-protective pathways.

A better understanding of how exercise protects the heart may eventually allow scientists to harness these protective effects for patients with decreased mobility.
“Hopefully this study will move us closer to developing therapies that mimic the benefits of exercise,” Dickson said. “It also serves as a reminder of how important it is to get out and exercise every day.”

‘Runner’s High’ May Also Strengthen Hearts

Endorphins and other morphine-like substances known as opioids, which are released during exercise, don’t just make you feel good — they may also protect you from heart attacks, according to University of Iowa researchers.

It has long been known that the so-called “runner’s high” is caused by natural opioids that are released during exercise. However, a UI study, which is published in the online edition of the American Journal of Physiology’s Heart and Circulatory Physiology, suggests that these opioids may also be responsible for some of exercise’s cardiovascular benefits.

Working with rats, UI researchers showed that blocking the receptors that bind morphine, endorphins and other opioids eliminates the cardiovascular benefits of exercise. Moreover, the UI team showed that exercise was associated with increased
expression of several genes involved in opioid pathways that appear to be critical in protecting the heart.

“This is the first evidence linking the natural opioids produced during exercise to the cardio-protective effects of exercise,” said Eric Dickson, M.D., UI associate professor and head of emergency medicine in the Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine and the study’s lead investigator. “We have known for a long time that exercise is great for the heart. This study helps us better understand why.”

Studies have shown that regular vigorous exercise reduces the risk of having a heart attack and improves survival rates following heart attack, even in people with cardiovascular disease. In addition, exercise also decreases the risk of atherosclerosis, stroke, osteoporosis and even depression. However, despite these proven health benefits, much less is understood about how exercise produces these benefits.

The UI study investigated the idea that the opioids produced by exercise might have a direct role in cardio-protection. The researchers compared rats that exercised with rats that did not. As expected, exercised rats sustained significantly less heart damage from a heart attack than non-exercised rats. The researchers then showed that blocking opioid receptors completely eliminated these cardio-protective effects in exercising rats, suggesting that opioids are responsible for some of the cardiac benefits of exercise.

The UI team also showed that exercise was associated with transient increases in expression of several opioid system genes in heart muscle, and changes in expression of other genes that are involved in inflammation and cell death. The researchers plan to investigate whether these altered gene expression patterns reveal specific cardio-protective pathways.

A better understanding of how exercise protects the heart may eventually allow scientists to harness these protective effects for patients with decreased mobility.
“Hopefully this study will move us closer to developing therapies that mimic the benefits of exercise,” Dickson said. “It also serves as a reminder of how important it is to get out and exercise every day.”

Did you know that…….

Heart disease and stroke kill more women worldwide than cancer, HIV/Aids, malaria and TB combined. Yet we still think of heart disease as a man’s problem. Time to change that, so get your blood pressure and cholesterol checked, and take an honest look at your exercise and eating habits. Keep your heart happy and healthy by:

Exercising regularly — for 20 minutes or more, at least 3 times a week
Maintaining a good body mass index (BMI) of between 20 and 25
Eating plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables
Avoiding smoking and drugs
Avoiding saturated fats like butter.

Did you know that…….

Heart disease and stroke kill more women worldwide than cancer, HIV/Aids, malaria and TB combined. Yet we still think of heart disease as a man’s problem. Time to change that, so get your blood pressure and cholesterol checked, and take an honest look at your exercise and eating habits. Keep your heart happy and healthy by:

Exercising regularly — for 20 minutes or more, at least 3 times a week
Maintaining a good body mass index (BMI) of between 20 and 25
Eating plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables
Avoiding smoking and drugs
Avoiding saturated fats like butter.

Do you need a HEART RATE MONITOR?

Heart rate monitors and the use of heart rate controls have become a very popular option on elliptical trainers as well as treadmills. To get an optimum workout it is important to pace your exercise. You want your heart rate at the proper intensity level for an extended period of time. If your heart rate gets too high your activity can become counter productive, if it is too low you are not getting any substantial health benefits.

If you are beginning an exercise regimen over exercising and raising your heart level too high can be counterproductive. You can exert yourself beyond an aerobic workout. When your heart exceeds 85% you are in an anaerobic zone. This is when your body burns less fat and more carbohydrates. In the process you produce lactic acids. A heart rate monitor assists you in staying in the preferably aerobic zone.

Training Zones

Healthy Heart Zone (Warm up) — 50 – 60% of maximum heart rate: The easiest zone and probably the best zone for people just starting a fitness program. It can also be used as a warm up for more serious walkers. This zone has been shown to help decrease body fat, blood pressure and cholesterol. It also decreases the risk of degenerative diseases and has a low risk of injury. 85% of calories burned in this zone are fats!

Fitness Zone (Fat Burning) — 60 – 70% of maximum heart rate: This zone provides the same benefits as the healthy heart zone, but is more intense and burns more total calories. The percent of fat calories is still 85%.

Aerobic Zone (Endurance Training) — 70 – 80% of maximum heart rate: The aerobic zone will improve your cardiovascular and respiratory system AND increase the size and strength of your heart. This is the preferred zone if you are training for an endurance event. More calories are burned with 50% from fat.

Anaerobic Zone (Performance Training) — 80 – 90% of maximum heart rate: Benefits of this zone include an improved VO2 maximum (the highest amount of oxygen one can consume during exercise) and thus an improved cardiorespiratory system, and a higher lactate tolerance ability, which means your endurance will improve and you’ll be able to fight fatigue better. This is a high intensity zone burning more calories, 15 % from fat.

Red Line (Maximum Effort) — 90 – 100% of maximum heart rate: Although this zone burns the highest number of calories, it is very intense. Most people can only stay in this zone for short periods. You should only train in this zone if you are in very good shape and have been cleared by a physician to do so.

Google: HEART RATE MONITOR

Do you need a HEART RATE MONITOR?

Heart rate monitors and the use of heart rate controls have become a very popular option on elliptical trainers as well as treadmills. To get an optimum workout it is important to pace your exercise. You want your heart rate at the proper intensity level for an extended period of time. If your heart rate gets too high your activity can become counter productive, if it is too low you are not getting any substantial health benefits.

If you are beginning an exercise regimen over exercising and raising your heart level too high can be counterproductive. You can exert yourself beyond an aerobic workout. When your heart exceeds 85% you are in an anaerobic zone. This is when your body burns less fat and more carbohydrates. In the process you produce lactic acids. A heart rate monitor assists you in staying in the preferably aerobic zone.

Training Zones

Healthy Heart Zone (Warm up) — 50 – 60% of maximum heart rate: The easiest zone and probably the best zone for people just starting a fitness program. It can also be used as a warm up for more serious walkers. This zone has been shown to help decrease body fat, blood pressure and cholesterol. It also decreases the risk of degenerative diseases and has a low risk of injury. 85% of calories burned in this zone are fats!

Fitness Zone (Fat Burning) — 60 – 70% of maximum heart rate: This zone provides the same benefits as the healthy heart zone, but is more intense and burns more total calories. The percent of fat calories is still 85%.

Aerobic Zone (Endurance Training) — 70 – 80% of maximum heart rate: The aerobic zone will improve your cardiovascular and respiratory system AND increase the size and strength of your heart. This is the preferred zone if you are training for an endurance event. More calories are burned with 50% from fat.

Anaerobic Zone (Performance Training) — 80 – 90% of maximum heart rate: Benefits of this zone include an improved VO2 maximum (the highest amount of oxygen one can consume during exercise) and thus an improved cardiorespiratory system, and a higher lactate tolerance ability, which means your endurance will improve and you’ll be able to fight fatigue better. This is a high intensity zone burning more calories, 15 % from fat.

Red Line (Maximum Effort) — 90 – 100% of maximum heart rate: Although this zone burns the highest number of calories, it is very intense. Most people can only stay in this zone for short periods. You should only train in this zone if you are in very good shape and have been cleared by a physician to do so.

Google: HEART RATE MONITOR