How Can I Lower My Chances Of A Heart Attack Or Stroke If I Have Diabetes?

Having diabetes can increase the chances of heart attacks and strokes. Hence, controlling your blood pressure, sugar, and cholesterol levels is essential. Needless to say, preventive healthcare has to be an important and more frequent part of your lifestyle.

 The connection between diabetes and cardiovascular diseases

• High blood sugar/glucose levels: Diabetes can damage blood vessels and the nerves controlling them - sugar can leak out of the liver into the bloodstream and stay there. A blocked vessel can slow the blood from supplying oxygen to the heart thereby increasing the risk of heart diseases.

• High cholesterol: Fats in the blood such as cholesterol and triglycerides tend to increase the risk of heart disease. They result in the buildup of plaque in the blood vessels causing blockages that lead to a heart attack or stroke.

• High blood pressure: It is one of the most common causes for heart disease, especially for people with diabetes. Having both high blood pressure and diabetes can double the risk for cardiovascular health conditions.

• Obesity: Being overweight along with an existing diabetes are high risk factors for heart diseases. Excess body weight or obesity also influences the blood pressure, sugar and cholesterol levels.

Preventive tips for lowering your risk of heart disease and stroke, and being healthy

• Keep your cholesterol, blood sugar, and blood pressure at healthy levels.

• Quit smoking - both firsthand and secondhand smoke are harmful for your overall health. It adds to your cardiovascular disease risk.

• Keep a check on your diet. Consume foods that have high fiber, and avoid foods that have saturated fat, trans-fat and too much salt. Choose fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meats and low fat dairy.

• Exercise - an active life is good for your health and also to control diabetes, body weight, and lower your risk for heart diseases. 

• Watch and track your health status regularly with heart health checkups. Opt for a full body checkup that includes tests that checks for your blood pressure, sugar, and cholesterol levels, along with detailed heart health screenings. 

Want to understand more about the essential heart health checkups? Click here.

Heart Attack In Women: Know The Symptoms, Risk Factors And Preventive Tips

Cardiovascular diseases are the most common cause of death globally, for both men and women. But some of the heart disease symptoms can be different  in women. Read this article to understand what those symptoms could be, and how to prevent heart attack.

Symptoms of heart attack in women

Chest pain or recurring discomfort that lasts are the common heart attack symptoms in both men and women. Important fact to note is - a heart attack can occur without chest pain also. Heart attack symptoms in women often tend to occur at the time of resting or sleeping. Given below are the signs that tend to appear more in women than men while having a heart attack:

• Discomfort in the neck, jaw, shoulder, or upper back

• Pain in arms

• Being out of breath

• Vomiting

• Unusual fatigue

• Too much sweating

• Dizziness

• Indigestion or abdominal discomfort

Heart attack risk factors in women

• Existing condition of diabetes: Women who have diabetes are more predisposed to develop heart disease than are men who have diabetes. Having diabetes can also change the way women feel the heart attack pain thereby increasing the risk of silent heart attack.

• Stress: Stress or any other mental health issue can affect women's hearts more and make it difficult to maintain a lifestyle that can prevent heart diseases.

• Smoking: It is a bigger risk factor for heart attack in women than for men.

• Menopause: Menopause lowers the levels of estrogen in the body and increases the risk of developing heart disease.

• Complications in pregnancy: Hypertension or high BP  or diabetes during pregnancy increase the mother's risk for heart disease.

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  Family medical history: If any close family member had an early heart attack then the risk factor in women is greater than men.

• Inflammatory diseases: Health conditions like rheumatoid arthritis can increase the risk of heart disease in women.

Women can follow these preventive tips to prevent or lower their risk of heart attacks

• Give up smoking or any kind of tobacco consumption along with exposure to secondhand smoke - all of these can damage the blood vessels.

• Being physically active is important. Do moderate exercise combined with some endurance exercises on some days of the week.

• Maintain a healthy BMI. Body weight should be the number that’s best for you in terms of your age and height. If it is anything off that number, change your lifestyle to get to your ideal weight.

• Eat a healthy diet, full of nutrition. Consume whole grains, lots of fruits, vegetables, lean meats, sea food, and fat free dairy and. Cut off trans fats, sugar, and lower the consumption of salt.

• Find ways that help in managing stress. Stress can tighten the arteries and increase the risk of heart disease.

• Keep blood pressure, sugar, and cholesterol under control. They can increase the risk of heart attack.

• Get your heart checked on a regular basis, along with your full body checkup. Click here to find out the best essential heart checkup package in your city.

Top 5 Benefits Of Eating Healthy, Well Balanced, Nutritious Diet

A healthy diet is one that can provide you with nutrients. A balanced food plate includes proteins, whole grains, good fat,  fruits and vegetables. It also involves not consuming tobacco in any form, and reducing alcohol intake. A healthy diet makes your bones stronger, prevents chronic illnesses, and boosts immunity.

Read this article to understand the importance of a healthy diet, and how it affects your body.

Helps you in managing your body weight

Obesity or being overweight can result in chronic health issues like heart disease, diabetes, bone issues, and cancers. Maintaining a moderate BMI can help in reducing the likelihood of these diseases. Having plenty of dietary fiber, vegetables  and fruits instead of processed foods can help you manage your weight.

Improves your heart health

Conditions like high blood pressure can lead to heart attack, and stroke. However, you can prevent premature heart diseases with simple lifestyle modifications like eating healthy, being physically active and by doing preventive health checkup . Consume plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains,  low fat dairy products, fish, and nuts. Apart from that, restrict  your sugar and sodium intake and increase the consumption of potassium, magnesium and calcium.

Reduces your risk of cancer

Antioxidants protect cells from damage thus they help to lower the risk of developing cancer. Phytochemicals in fruits, vegetables, nuts, and legumes are good sources of antioxidants. Eat berries, dark leafy greens, nuts and seeds for your antioxidant needs.

Helps you to manage diabetes / prevent its onset

Eating a healthy diet can help you in - managing and preventing or delaying diabetes, depending on your condition. Consuming healthy foods can help you in controlling your blood glucose levels, cholesterol, and blood pressure.

Strengthens your teeth and bones

Consume a diet rich in calcium and magnesium to keep your bones and teeth strong. Keeping your bones in good health lowers the risk of bone issues in your advanced ages. Low fat dairy products, broccoli, legumes, and cabbage are good sources of calcium; and green  leafy vegetables, seeds, nuts, and whole grains are high in magnesium.

Take small steps at a time to improve your dietary habits - follow these tips:

• Drink water or herbal tea instead of soft or fizzy drinks

• Ensuring you eat fresh meals

• Eat whole fruits instead of juices

• Avoid processed foods

• Lower the intake of salt, sugar, and unhealthy fats

• Know your health status with regular full body checkups to understand what foods you should avoid or consume more.

Low Glycemic Foods That Can Help You Control Your Blood Sugar Levels

Glycemic index (GI) is the measurement of the effect of various foods on your blood sugar levels. Carbohydrates that you consume through food are broken down into simple sugars by your digestive system. Different types of carbohydrates have different effects on your blood sugar levels.

The three types of GI levels are:

• Low - 55 or lower

• Medium - 56 to 69

• High - 70+

Foods that have a higher GI are digested and absorbed by the bloodstream quickly therefore resulting in a rapid change in blood sugar. Foods having a low GI index are digested and absorbed slowly causing your blood sugar levels to be normal for a longer period. The glycemic index of foods is influenced by the build of the starch, type of sugar it has, and the way it was cooked.

Effect of low glycemic foods on diabetes

Diabetes makes the body unable to process sugars in an effective way thus making it difficult to maintain a healthy blood sugar level. People having diabetes should keep their blood sugar in control to prevent health complications like heart ailments, and damage to the kidneys. Consuming low GI foods can help in managing the blood sugar levels.

Benefits of low glycemic diet

• Improvement in the blood cholesterol levels

• Reduces cancer risk

• Enhances weight loss

• Reduces the risk of heart diseases and stroke

Foods having low glycemic index

• Fruit like apples, pear, strawberries, peaches, plums

• Cereals like oats, bran-flakes

• Vegetables like broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, zucchini

• Legumes like lentils, chickpeas, kidney beans

• Grains like quinoa, barley, buckwheat, semolina

• Dairy products - milk, cheese, yogurt

Add these low glycemic foods as snack in your diet if you have diabetes

• Hard boiled egg

• Unsalted nuts

• A cup of berries with cheese

• Greek yogurt 

• Apple slices 

• Whole wheat toast with almond/peanut butter

Just remember a healthy lifestyle goes a long way in keeping your body in good health, and increasing your lifespan. A healthy lifestyle includes:

• Balanced and nutritious meals

• Being physically active

• Sleeping well at least for 7-8 hours

• Keeping stress levels low

• Regularly getting complete body preventive health checkup done

Know your current blood sugar level with a full body checkup now.

Important Laboratory Blood Tests That Can Be Ordered From Home

 

Regular preventive health checkup is one of the most main ways to keep a check on your overall well being. In the times of the Corona pandemic, even if you don’t want to step outside and stay at home, you should not miss your health checkups. Now, you can order your full body checkup at home, and get all the important tests that are required for your disease prevention planning.

As the health checkup gives the report of your current health status, you should get your health checkup done at routine intervals or as suggested by your physician in case of an already existing health condition. With laboratory tests, you can see the changes that your body undergoes over time and how your lifestyle is affecting your health. This empowers you to make informed choices about your health goals.

Important blood tests

• Complete blood count (CBC): checks for 10 different cell components in your blood, like red blood cell count, hemoglobin, and hematocrit. Abnormal CBC levels may indicate the following health conditions:
• Iron deficiency
• Inflammation in the tissue 
• Viral/bacterial infections
• Deficiencies like vitamin B6, B12
• Heart diseases
• Cancers
• Thyroid function test: checks the status of your thyroid functioning. The thyroid is responsible for regulating body functions like your metabolism, body temperature, hormones, mood, and energy. Abnormal levels of thyroid indicate health conditions such as:
• Protein levels
• Testosterone or estrogen levels
• Thyroid growth disorders

How are these tests done at home?

• You book them online
• Select the date and time for sample pickup from home
• Detailed instructions and do’s and don’ts are provided to you
• Lab technician come to your house for sample collection
• Lab technician follows all Covid safety measures
• Sample is sent to a high end lab for workup
• Reports are delivered within 48 hours in your email

You can select the test package according to your age. The reports of your laboratory tests help you in changing your lifestyle according to the guidance of the physician that is included free with your tests. Your laboratory health checkup package includes counselling by an expert pre and post test. Find the best whole body laboratory test package in your city.

Make Better Decision With Preventive Health Screening After Your 30s

 The lifestyle you lead - the food you consume, your physical activities, your stress level, how much you sleep, affect your health. You can know the current condition of your body’s health with preventive health screening or checkup. Your full body checkup reports the functioning of all your organs. Any abnormalities in your body are detected in your health checkup reports.

 

What happens to your body after your 30s?

• Metabolism starts slowing down
• Bone loss and reduction in muscle tone
• Hormonal changes
• Weight gain
• Mineral and vitamin deficiency
• Increased risks of lifestyle diseases

 

How to prepare yourself for your 30s?

Start focussing on your health needs. You should treat your health as an investment, it can save you a lot of out of pocket expenses later. Do the following to keep yourself in good health after your 30s:

• Proactive manage your health 
• Be regular with your complete body health checkup
• Follow your report to plan your lifestyle
• Change your diet and exercises to prevent health conditions that are reported
• Plan a preventive strategy for the diseases reported in your checkup

 

How does a full body preventive health checkup help you?

• Screen your body for medical conditions
• Detects your risks for lifestyle health conditions
• Helps you to plan your personalized lifestyle that works for your body
• Plan your disease prevention with your doctor

 

What is an ideal and healthy lifestyle?

• Eating foods that have a high nutritional value, and not just calories
• Limit alcohol consumption
• Quit smoking and tobacco
• Exercise for at least 30 minutes daily
• Sleep adequately and rest
• Follow methods of cutting out stress

 

Tests that should be included in your full body health checkup after your reach 30

• Yearly examination by a physician before and after your health checkup
• Lipid profile tests
• Thyroid screening
• Blood sugar test for diabetes 
• Mammogram and pap smear for women
• Prostate cancer for men
• Cancer screening
• Bone density
• Heart checkup

 

You must go for your complete body health checkup even if you think you are healthy. Most lifestyle health conditions like cancer and heart diseases do not show symptoms in the beginning stages. When they start showing signs, they are at a stage when they become incurable and treatment cost becomes high. Regular health screenings help in early detection thus making treatment easier and non-invasive. Find out the best health screening package for you, now.