The first Wednesday in April is National Walking Day. The American Heart Association sponsors this day to remind us of the health benefits of taking a walk.
The American Heart Association is encouraging everyone to get out and walk. Visit National Walking Day located at the American Heart Association. Learn the health benefits, get motivated, join a walking group - make walking a Daily Habit.
Triglycerides are a type of fat. They are the most common type of fat in your body. They come from foods, especially butter, oils, and other fats you eat. Triglycerides also come from extra calories. Your body changes these extra calories into triglycerides and stores them in fat cells. When your body needs energy, it releases the triglycerides. Your VLDL cholesterol particles carry the triglycerides to your tissues.
Having a high level of triglycerides can raise your risk of heart diseases, such as coronary artery disease.
What causes high triglycerides?
Factors that can raise your triglyceride level include
Regularly eating more calories than you burn off, especially if you eat a lot of sugar
Being overweight or having obesity
Cigarette smoking
Excessive alcohol use
Certain medicines
Some genetic disorders
Thyroid diseases
Poorly controlled type 2 diabetes
Liver or kidney diseases
How Triglycerides is Diagnosed
What are the treatments for high triglycerides?
You may be able to lower your triglyceride levels with lifestyle changes:
Controlling your weight
Regular physical activity
Not smoking
Limiting sugar and refined foods
Limiting alcohol
Switching from saturated fats to healthier fats
Some people will also need to take cholesterol medicines to lower their triglycerides.
Stroke happens when the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off. Without blood, brain cells can be damaged or die. Depending on which part of the brain is affected and how quickly the person is treated, the effects of stroke on survivors can be devastating to a person’s body, mobility and speech, as well as how they think and feel.
Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability globally. It can happen to anyone at any age, and impacts everyone: survivors, family and friends, workplaces and communities. From making individual changes, to advocating globally and locally for policies that will deliver healthier communities, we can all do something to prevent stroke.
This year the focus of the World Stroke Campaign is Prevention. On the 29th October 2017, World Stroke Day, we are calling on our members, partners and stroke stakeholders to do what they can to improve community and individual awareness of stroke risk and take action to prevent stroke at individual and population level.
Stroke Warning Signs
If you notice one or more of these signs, don't wait. Stroke is a medical emergency.
Call your emergency medical services and get to a hospital right away!
Learn the warning signs of stroke
Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
Sudden, severe headache with no known cause
Take action in an emergency
Not all the warning signs occur in every stroke. Don't ignore signs of stroke, even if they go away!
Check the time. When did the first warning sign or symptom start? You'll be asked this important question later.
If you have one or more stroke symptoms that last more than a few minutes, don't delay! Seek immediate medical attention!
If you're with someone who may be having stroke symptoms, immediately call one of the emergency rescue service numbers. Expect the person to protest — denial is common. Don't take "no" for an answer. Insist on taking prompt action.
The FAST test
Facial weakness, arm weakness and speech difficulties are common signs of stroke. You can use the FAST test to remember the signs of stroke
The FAST test involves asking three simple questions:
Face – Can the person smile, has their mouth drooped?
Arms – Can the person raise both arms?
Speech – Can the person speak clearly and understand what you say?
Time – Act FAST!
If you answer yes to any of these questions, act FAST and call for medical emergency help immediately.
Stroke is always a medical emergency. Remembering the signs of stroke and acting FAST could mean saving a life.
What causes stroke
High blood pressure (Hypertension is the most common and treatable risk factor in stroke)
Smoking
High cholesterol
Diabetes mellitus
Obesity
Sedentary life style
Atrial fibrillation
Stroke warning signs
Heart disease
Carotid artery disease
Alcohol
It is possible to prevent stroke
Good control of blood pressure
Good control of diabetes
Lower cholesterol
Regular exercise
Quit smoking
Lose weight
Never ignore a small stroke
Nutrition Tips for Stroke Survivors
Healthy food habits can help reduce risk factors for stroke — poor cholesterol levels, high blood pressure and excess weight. Diets high in saturated fat and trans fat can raise blood cholesterol levels. Diets high in sodium can contribute to increased blood pressure, and high-calorie diets can contribute to obesity. A diet with five or more servings of fruits and vegetables per day may reduce the risk of stroke.
The American Heart Association/American Stroke Association offers these recommendations for a healthy diet:
1. Eat a diet rich in vegetables and fruits.
2. Choose whole-grain, high-fiber foods.
3. Eat fish at least twice a week.
4. Limit saturated fat and trans fat. Avoiding partially hydrogenated oils will reduce trans fats.
5. Choose lean meats and poultry, and prepare them without using saturated or trans fats.
6. Select low-fat dairy products.
7. Cut back on drinks and foods with added sugars. The AHA recommends that no more than half of your discretionary calories should come from added sugars. For most American women, the discretionary calorie allowance is no more than 100 calories and no more than 150 calories for men.
8. Choose and prepare foods with little salt (sodium). The AHA recommends consuming less than 1500 mg of sodium a day.
9. If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation. Limit yourself to one drink per day if you’re a non-pregnant woman or two drinks if you’re a man. To Get the Nutrition You Need
Some stroke survivors have a loss of appetite. For others, eating may be difficult due to swallowing problems or limited hand or arm movement. In any case, talk to your healthcare team to make sure you’re getting the nutrition you need. To make eating a little easier again, try these steps:
Choose healthy foods with stronger flavors, such as broiled fish and citrus fruits. Also, spices add flavor to food and serve as a good substitute for salt.
Choose colorful, visually appealing foods, such as salmon, carrots and dark green vegetables.
Cut foods into small pieces to make them easier to chew.
Pick softer, easier-to-chew foods, such as yogurt, bananas, whole-grain hot cereals, and low sodium soups.
If you have trouble swallowing, talk to your speech therapist or doctor. This condition can be treated.
If weakness in arms or hands is a problem, you might try adaptive eating utensils. Some types of flatware have thicker handles that are easier to hold, and “rocker knives” make it possible to cut food using one hand.
Making Mealtime Easier
When stroke survivors have lost their appetites, caregivers can help by:
Sharing meals with the survivor at regular times during the day.
Setting a leisurely pace for the meal.
Serving foods that the survivor wants.
Encouraging healthy snacks or small meals throughout the day.
Reducing distractions during meals.
Watching for any problems the survivor may have with chewing or swallowing.
National Walk to Work Day – get involved! Taking simple steps to improve your health could pay dividends years down the line. Getting involved in National Walk to Work Day could help put you on the right track to a healthier you.
Take the stairs instead of the elevator whenever you can, for at least a floor or two. Once that gets easier, add another floor.
Instead of using the breakroom or restroom nearest your workstation, use one farther away, maybe even on another floor – and take the stairs each time you go.
Walk to a coworker’s desk or office to talk instead of using email, IM or the phone. The personal interaction is an added bonus!
Join or start a recreational sports league at your workplace.
Form a walking club or team to walk together at work.
Schedule walking meetings for informal discussions and brainstorming.
Get off the bus or train a few blocks early and walk the rest of the way to work or home. If you drive to work, park as far away from the entrance as you can.
Walk to a nearby restaurant for lunch instead of driving or ordering in.
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