The cardiovascular system consists of the heart, the blood vessels and the blood. Many factors affect your cardiovascular system and its ability to work efficiently. Blood pressure -- the measure of the force of blood against the walls of the...
Controlling your salt intake is the best way to lower blood pressure, according to the National Institutes of Heath. Salt is 60 percent chloride and 40 percent sodium -- it's the sodium in salt and foods that causes the problem. Sodium attracts...
High sodium diets are more often linked to high blood pressure than those low in this mineral. While sodium is important to maintaining blood pressure, low levels don't cause a rise in blood pressure. Instead, you may suffer other complications...
Sodium is an essential part of your diet. Even though everyone needs it, most people get too much sodium in their diet due to the amount of salt consumed. It's important to know the guidelines for sodium intake since ingesting too much of this...
Viagra, a brand name for the drug sildenafil citrate, is a drug that has become very popular. The drug works by enhancing the effect of nitrous oxide, which is a chemical in the body that promotes the dilation of blood vessels. Viagra, by causing...
High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a medical condition characterized by an increase in the pressure within the blood vessels. Increased blood pressure can lead to rupture of the vessels, heart attacks and stroke. Patients with hypertension...
Blood pressure is a reading used in the medical field to determine the risk of certain diseases and conditions. Optimum blood pressure levels don't necessarily guarantee perfect health, but high blood pressure levels are often underlying factors...
Many Americans struggle to get their blood pressure levels under control. The combination of an inactive lifestyle, a stressful work life and the over-availability of fast foods have caused high blood pressure to become an all too prevalent...
Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, is a condition that affects the blood vessels and heart. High blood pressure can also lead to strokes, heart attacks and cardiovascular disease. Some medications can increase blood pressure, making...
Blood pressure is a very important part of your cardiovascular health, particularly as you age. Having high blood pressure levels can increase your risk of several health problems, including stroke, heart disease and heart attack. Regardless of...
Many lifestyle factors can affect the health of your heart. Following a healthy diet, exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy weight and getting adequate amounts of sleep each night can all play a role in how effectively the heart functions....
Obesity is a risk factor for developing hypertension, or high blood pressure. Diet and exercise can significantly reduce high blood pressure levels. If you don't have high blood pressure but have a family history of hypertension, following a...
Malic acid is a compound that occurs naturally in many fruits and vegetables and that is most commonly found in apples. If you've been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, if you're pregnant or breastfeeding or if you are taking antacids that...
While heart disease is a major health concern, controlling certain lifestyle habits can decrease the risk for developing heart disease. Diets high in cholesterol, saturated fat, trans fat, sodium and alcohol are known to lead to an increased risk...
The seeds of the sesame plant are commonly used in cooking, most notably Asian cuisine, for the nutty flavor that they impart when eaten. Oil extracted from the sesame seeds is also used in cooking and salad dressings in place of olive oil....
Cortisol is a steroid hormone that is produced in the body by the adrenal glands. Cortisol affects an array of body systems, including circulatory, immune, nervous and stress response systems, according to the National Institute of Health. When...
Healthy blood plays a crucial role in overall health and wellness. Low hemoglobin, high blood pressure, high levels of bad cholesterol and abnormal blood sugar levels are a few factors that influence blood health. Your diet can go a long way in...
An extract prepared from the leaf of the olive plant may help reduce your cholesterol or blood sugar levels when taken as a supplement. While olive leaf extract typically doesn't cause side effects, its use by certain populations is discouraged....
Plenty of men put little thought into what they eat, and that mindset often catches up with them in a hurry. Men need to be conscious of what they eat because, according to the Mayo Clinic, a poor diet increases your risk of heart disease, high...
Monitoring blood pressure using at home takes just several moments. Home monitoring is valuable, because it allows you to keep a continuous eye on high blood pressure levels. High blood pressure often has no other signs or symptoms; taking regular...
Foot numbness can develop as a loss of feeling in the foot due to abnormal communication that occurs between the nerve center and the nerves. There is no harm in having temporary foot numbness, which simply occurs when there's a shortage of blood,...
According to BuildingBodies online, vegetables serve a variety of health benefits when incorporated into the diet daily. Vegetables contain various antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals that help to regulate blood sugar, increase...
Approximately 72 million people in the United States have high blood pressure, otherwise known as hypertension, according to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. The exact cause of high blood pressure levels is not known in 90 to 95...
Polycystic ovary syndrome is a medical condition that can affect women and causes small, fluid-filled sacs (cysts) to form within a woman's ovaries. Symptoms of this condition result from imbalanced hormone levels within the body and can include...
High blood pressure is known as a silent killer because it has few early warning symptoms, but can lead to heart attacks, kidney failure and strokes. Fortunately, high blood pressure can be easily detected, and once you have received a diagnosis...
High blood pressure or hypertension is characterized by acute or chronic elevations in the way your bloodstream beats against your vascular walls, reports MayoClinic.com. It is often indicative of genetic predisposition, lifestyle problems and...
If you aren't currently struggling with hypertension (high blood pressure) or pre-hypertension, there are good chances that you'll have to deal with it at some point during your life. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services,...
Stress is individualized, affecting everyone differently. One person might find a certain situation stressful; another may not. Anxiety is slightly different from stress because it typically develops from fearful situations and usually accompanies...
You have more calcium in your body than any other mineral. Many people tend to associate calcium with strong bones. While it's true that calcium is crucial for bone health, this isn't the only role calcium plays in your body. From fighting fat to...
Diet is a large part of diabetes type two. Some diabetics can actually reduce the need for insulin through proper diet and exercise. Learn more about what to eat as a diabetic in this video.