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How Big Are Your Thighs?

FitSugar — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 03:30:18 -0700

Recently I asked you about the strength of your tummy, but now I want to know the size of your thighs. The reason? Big thighs might be a sign of cardiovascular health and longevity. After focusing on waist size as a risk factor for heart diseases, measuring the thighs seems more than a little counter-intuitive. But a long-term Danish study of 3,000 adults found that thigh circumference worked as an indicator for risk of an early death. Men and women with thighs measuring 60 centimeters, or 23.6 inches, around had a lower risk of heart disease. The measurement is taken at the very top of the thigh, just below the crease of your seat. The research team believes that folks with narrow thighs do not have enough overall muscle mass to properly process insulin, and this increases their risk for type 2 diabetes, which raises their risk for developing heart disease. The lack of leg muscle might also indicate a lack of exercise, which we know is not good for your ticker either.

Health professionals, from cardiologists to obesity experts, find the results of the Danish thigh study interesting but feel the findings need to be corroborated and researched further. I feel thigh circumference, as an indicator of long-term heart health might need to be placed in a ratio with height. Regardless, as a woman with muscular thighs, this is some of the best news I have heard in a while. If you are looking to add some muscles to your thighs, try squats and lunges.

Tell me now, what is the state of your thighs?

Look on the Sunny Side of Life For Heart Health

FitSugar — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 08:00:00 -0700

Having a positive attitude is how underdog sports teams come from behind to cinch victory. It makes for exciting games, but a positive attitude is also important for your personal health - it fights heart disease. New research from University of Pittsburgh Medical Center found that seeing the glass half full appears to protect the heart against disease and death, and conversely pessimism increases the risk of heart disease. The 15-year study of 97,000 postmenopausal women involved surveys designed to assess the participants sense of optimism. The women responded "yes" or "no" to statements like, "In unclear times, I usually expect the best," or "If something can go wrong for me, it will."

See if docs understand the power of positive thinking.

Guinness Is Good For You!

FitSugar — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 03:00:22 -0700

It looks like this famous old slogan has some truth to it after all. A new study from the University of Wisconsin has reported that a pint of Guinness could have the same heart health benefits as a low dose of aspirin. When tested on dogs, antioxidants in Guinness helped reduce blood clots and slow down deposits of cholesterol on the artery walls. Dogs were chosen not because they love to lap up beer, but because they have narrow blood vessels similar to those of humans who suffer from heart disease. Blood clots and clogged arteries are bad news because they increase a person's risk for a heart attack.

Let me point out that the benefits were found from drinking Guinness, not any other beers. This news doesn't mean you should go on a Guinness drinking binge for your heart's sake, because beer still contains alcohol, so limit yourself to one or fewer drinks a day.

Source:Flickr User spleeney

Two Minutes to a Healthier You

FitSugar — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 12:00:00 -0700

Dental hygiene seems simple, but new research shows that brushing and flossing goes more than mouth deep. When you're brushing your teeth (most of you do it twice a day), you're not only cleaning your pearly whites and promoting gum health, but you're also taking steps to prevent having a heart attack.

A study measured the bacteria levels in the mouths of heart attack survivors compared to participants without histories of heart problems and discovered more germs in the mouths of the survivors. According to the researchers, those with the most bacteria of all types in their mouths were the most likely to have had heart attacks.

Building upon previous findings that dental health affects overall health, this newest research goes to show that it really only takes two minutes to a healthier you. All you need are your handy toothbrush, minty paste, and a wheel of floss.

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Drink With Friends For Your Heart's Health

FitSugar — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 13:00:00 -0700

So we know that a little moderate drinking of wine is good for your health, one glass a day for women, but now there's more great news when it comes to happy hour. A Japanese study shows that drinking with friends can help reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke. It's the social support you feel from your family and friends that actually enhances the heart-healthy effects of the alcohol. Makes sense, right? Being happy is good for your heart and can even help people live longer, and moderate alcohol consumption is also good for you, so the two together are even better. Granted, this study was performed with only men, but I assume the same effects hold true for the ladies. Keep in mind that heavy drinking is associated with an increased risk of stroke, so don't overdo it when it comes to wine and cocktails.

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Guess Who Said It?

FitSugar — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 13:00:00 -0700

Guess which young celeb said this?

"I've struggled with my weight, but when I found out I had a hole in my heart - there was no way in heck being skinny was worth sacrificing my health."

Chill Out: Anger Is Bad For the Heart

FitSugar — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 11:00:00 -0800

National Heart Health Month may be drawing to a close, but keeping your ticker healthy is daily affair. In fact, matters of the heart are affected by what goes on in your head; chronic negative emotions, like anger and stress, might damage the heart.

In a recent Yale University study, anger appeared to interfere with the electrical signals of heart patients. When the electrical signals of the heart become erratic, the heart can abruptly stop beating, leading to cardiac arrest. Emotional stress can tax the heart in the same fashion as physical stress, and in already vulnerable populations, this can lead to trouble. While the direct affects of anger on the heart in populations with healthy hearts has yet to be studied, this test helps us all understand the emotional connection between our emotional life and the health of our heart. If you tend to run a little hot-headed, now might be the time to learn how to cool off before you overheat your heart.

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One Minute to a Healthier You

FitSugar — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 11:00:00 -0800

A little snoring is nothing to be ashamed of, but it can be a health concern. According to Women's Health, having sleep apnea can increase your risk of heart attack or dying by 30 percent. In honor of heart health month, perform this quick test to see if you could have it. The best part is that you can sleep through it!

WH suggests asking someone to monitor your breathing after you've fallen asleep and explains, "If he hears a pause between snores that lasts up to 30 seconds and ends with a snort or a gasp for air, you may have sleep apnea." Sleep apnea makes your heart work harder, so if your witness reports symptoms, head to your doctor for medical advice.

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5 Things About Flaxseed

FitSugar — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 05:30:00 -0800

Heart health month is still going strong, and I'm here with another tip on how to keep your ticker in top shape. An easy way to help your heart is to add flaxseeds to your diet. Before heading to the store, learn more about this natural source of omega-3s with these five things.

Flaxseed is known to lower total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels, and it may lower blood pressure - all essential elements to having a healthy heart.
Lignans, the fibers found in flaxseed, promote regular digestion and are thought to have a role in breast cancer prevention.
Expect a slightly earthy, nutty flavor from flaxseeds but don't be afraid that adding them will overpower your meal. You only need one tablespoon to fulfill the daily recommended amount of omega-3s.
Stir ground flaxseed into your morning oatmeal or cereal and sprinkle it on your lunchtime salad.
A mixture of milled flaxseed and water can be substituted for eggs when making baked goods.

What Your Heart Rate Says About You

FitSugar — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 03:00:00 -0800

A lot of us don't think about our hearts as often as we should, which makes sense because we can't see our hearts to assess them. Hopping on a scale or realizing that your jeans don't fit as well as they used to are telltale signs that your weight has changed, but measuring heart health isn't so easy. Or is it?

Coinciding with heart health month, researchers have announced results of an eight-year study that evaluated heart rates of more than 100,000 women. Their research led them to conclude that predicting a woman's risk of heart attack could be as simple as taking her resting pulse rate.

The study found that, regardless of influential factors like smoking and drinking, a resting pulse offers a simple way to evaluate a woman's heart health. Women with resting heart rates of 62 beats per minute were 26 percent less likely to suffer from heart disease or a heart attack than women with resting rates of more than 76 beats per minute. If you need a little guidance on how to test your own resting heart rate, check out Home Fitness Test: Resting Heart Rate.

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