Bell's palsy is a condition that causes temporary facial paralysis. It happens when the facial nerves become damaged or compressed. This damage restricts the nerve signals traveling from the brain to the muscles of the face, making the facial...
The primary cause of ischemic stroke is the restriction of blood, and therefore vital oxygen, to the brain. High blood pressure, commonly referred to as hypertension, is a major risk factor for ischemic stroke. Hypertension has a direct and...
The challenge in losing weight is to find strategies that work and can be maintained over a lifetime, but don't compromise your health. Fad diets can be effective in losing weight, but often are unhealthy and difficult to sustain. Experts indicate...
Lipids, of which fats are one type, have a variety of purposes in the body: they provide you with energy, build cells and produce hormones. Cholesterol is a natural substance in the body made of lipids and protein; HDL -- high-density lipoprotein...
If you've been doing hundreds of sit-ups everyday and continue to see belly flab, you are probably extremely frustrated. Aside from the obvious -- healthy eating habits -- , you need to focus on your entire core, which consists your obliques and...
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), doctors test for different types of cholesterol to check if patients have heart disease. The main cholesterol types include low-density lipoprotein or LDL, high-density lipoprotein or HDL and...
Heart disease refers to a variety of conditions that affect your heart muscles and coronary arteries, which are the primary arteries that supply blood to your circulatory system. These conditions include heart failure; high blood pressure; and...
Triglycerides enter your bloodstream through the foods you eat. As MayoClinic.com explains, calories that are not used right away are converted to triglycerides for the body to use later. Achieving a healthy triglyceride level is important,...
Checking your triglycerides, which are a type of cholesterol, can save your life by preventing heart disease before it happens. More than 100 million adults in the U.S. as of 2010 have high cholesterol levels, according to the Centers for Disease...
It is no secret that regular exercise is an integral part of any weight loss program. The latest version of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's food pyramid includes a section for exercise and activity. The USDA recommends getting at least 30...
Blood cholesterol occurs naturally in the body. The waxy, fat-like substance develops in all cells and helps the body by making certain hormones, vitamin D and other chemicals to help with digestion. It also helps protect nerves. The liver...
Apple cider vinegar is often an ingredient or the main component of home remedies. It is promoted for treating allergies, rashes, and infections and for aiding in digestion and promoting weight loss. However, there does appear to be some...
Losing weight, even a modest amount, can lead to improvements in your blood pressure and cholesterol levels, reports the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC. Aerobic exercise, also known as cardiovascular exercise, or cardio, is a...
Heart disease is just one of several conditions linked to high cholesterol. Physicians describe a person's cholesterol level by two numbers: HDL, sometimes referred to as the "good" cholesterol and LDL, the "bad" cholesterol. There is also another...
When you undergo cardio stress testing, you are monitored during exercise to have a potential heart condition diagnosed by a medical professional. Cardio stress testing is a relatively safe and non-invasive test to look for coronary artery...
Your heart rate is the number of times your heart beats each minute. For most adults, a heart rate from 60 to 100 beats per minute is normal. The heart typically beats faster as you age, but many other factors can influence your heart rate:...
If you are trying to lower your cholesterol, a healthy diet is an important part of treatment. Some foods can effectively reduce your levels, while other foods contribute to unhealthy numbers. Preparing a monthly or weekly menu is a good way to...
Your heart rate will naturally rise with exercise, but a sharp and rapid spike in heart rate is called tachycardia, and it can last for a few beats or for an extended period of time. Some people experience sudden jumps in their heart rate and are...
Quahogs, a kind of large clams, are a tasty seafood treat that are also quite high in nutritional value. These clams are quite low in calories, which makes them appropriate for including in your meal plan when you are trying to lose weight. They...
Hibiscus sabdariffa is a woody, shrub-like plant native to Africa, Europe and Asia. It is also known as roselle, rosella, sorrel and flor de Jamaica. The leaves of the plant enhance pork, chicken or fish dishes in Indian cuisine, and the flower...
Type 2, or adult onset, diabetes and heart disease are inextricably linked and heart disease and stroke are the primary causes of death in people living with diabetes. Given this, it's easy to understand the importance of eating a healthy diet,...
Kiwis are a small, brown and fuzzy fruit that is also called a Chinese gooseberry. Don't let their size fool you; they are packed with nutrients and pair well with a variety of other fruits. A serving is one to two kiwis, depending on their size....
Your weight and your health can be influenced by your diet, through deficiencies and overconsumption of nutrients as well as through optimal nutrition. You make the call when you select, cook, serve and eat foods from day to day. Will you build...
HDL, or high-density lipoprotein, cholesterol is a type of protein produced by the body that helps dispense LDL, or low-density lipoprotein cholesterol into your liver for removal. HDL cholesterol is not directly derived from food. However, there...
You may know that it is important to keep your cholesterol levels in check to help lower your risk for heart disease. However, understanding what cholesterol is and what the test results mean can be confusing. Cholesterol scores can be given in...
If you have diabetes, you are two to four times more likely to die of heart disease than an adult who does not have diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association. Keeping your blood sugar under control is one of the most important...
Accurate cholesterol test results are an important factor in determining your risk for heart disease. More than 35 million Americans have cholesterol levels high enough to put them at significant risk for cardiovascular disease. You may need to...
There's more to the fitness equation than just dropping extra pounds--although that's a great healthy start. While you shed pounds, you should also focus on toning and strengthening your body to get in the best shape possible. That means focusing...
Blood triglycerides and cholesterol levels are risk factors for heart disease. It is important to know and to check your numbers regularly, so you can determine if your results are healthy or in the "high" or "at risk" categories. How do you...
Underactive thyroid, or hypothyroidism, leads to a large range of symptoms, often resembling other illnesses. Learn more about underactive thyroids in this health video.
Lyme disease is a tick-borne illness that causes signs and symptoms ranging from rash and flu-like fever and body aches to more serious ones including joint swelling, weakness, fatigue and temporary paralysis. Lyme disease is caused by the...
