HEART DISEASE DISCUSSION
Currently in draft form
This more like tibits, to add to the other relevant pieces.
BEST PREDICTOR
High blood pressure is important in that it's more accurate in predicting cardiovascular disease than all other risk factors. And the level of triglycerides is the best predictor of cardiovascular disease. (To stop the overproduction of triglycerides, one must minimize the carbohydrates, especially the high glycemic ones!!!!)
WHAT THE NUMBERS MEAN
The systolic (the one on top) number being high is a sign of your arteries being stiff, which causes your blood pressure to jump with each beat. If the diastolic (the one on the bottom) number is high that suggests that the heart is stiff - which may even be worse and indicate that you MUST solve this right away!!! Above 120/80 indicates that your arteries are sick - and it should not be waved off as if it is just a natural part of life - and the "normal" of your friends is not a legitimate criteria!
ARTERIES
Your arteries are tubular muscles, which grow weak and stiffen without exercise.
"Hardened arteries generate abnormal blood flow or turbulence within their walls, and this accelerates arterial plaque growth."
FAT
"As fat increases above one's target BMI, one's risk of "major health problems skyrockets not linearly, but exponentially."
INCREASE HDL SUBSTANTIALLY
Don't be fooled by the ineffective HDL's (HDL3) that can be produced by poor health habits.
Do the following:
__ Aerobic exercise (30 minutes +)
__ Lose weight down to optimal
__ Do not smoke
__ Cut out transfats (and hydrogenated) 100%
__ Eliminate alcohol
__ Increase monounsaturated fats (avocado, olive oil, omega 3 supplements, nuts
__ Increase soluble fiber.
__ Avoid polyunsaturated oils that have been "smoked" or damaged by heating.
(Use that list as if it is a checklist and do them all!)
