Resting heart rate predicts cardio health
Once while having an echocardiogram to test for heart damage from the breast cancer drug Herceptin, my technician asked me if I was a runner. "I do run," I told him, and then asked how he knew. He told me I had a really low resting heart rate, something runners often have. He seemed impressed by my low number. I was flattered.Many athletes pride themselves on a low resting heart rate. It means they're in good physical shape and their hearts don't need to pump as hard, say the experts from Reader's Digest. Translation: Low heart rate folks have less risk for heart problems. Higher rates mean the heart needs more oxygen, and the cardiovascular system gets stressed.
The best way to reduce your heart rate is to exercise regularly. While working on your fitness, shoot for this healthy resting heart rate range: 55-65 heartbeats per minute.
Pizza is not part of my diet. Ever, really. All that cheese, grease, and bread makes it just too dangerous for me. If you're a pizza lover, though, and you make your own pie, add to your sauce this one special ingredient: Oregano.
There are certainly a million plus reasons to quit smoking: the smell, the cancer risks, the heart disease, etc ... But now there is a new one! If you want to have plastic surgery on your face (and if you've smoked for a long time ... you probably want to), your doctor may insist that you quit before she'll do the procedure. Smoking interferes with the healing process.
I've thankfully never experienced a migraine myself, but people I know who have describe them as being tremendously debilitating. And, the fact that their migraines sometimes keep them locked in a dark room for hours on end, it's quite clear that migraines are no ordinary headaches.
Are you working your butt off but noticing not much of a change in your body? Could be something simple holding you back. Like your posture.
Volunteering at our local Humane Society and caring for a room full of rescued cats is keeping me and my little boys plenty busy and happy this summer. It may also be helping our hearts.
So maybe one alcoholic drink per day is healthy. But don't pour that second one just yet -- it could be the very thing that erases the positives effects of the first.
When it comes to dips and dressings, we pretty much know which ones are the bad guys: Things that are cream-based, made with cheese, high in fat or all of the above. So when snacking, we healthy eaters tend to lean towards nutritious things with nutrients and fiber. Vegetable-based snacks like salsa and guacamole fit the bill, right?
Which is best: Low-fat or low-carb? Results of one of the longest and largest studies to compare the two weight-loss techniques reveals that low-carb is the way to go -- for both weight loss and cholesterol management. Bummer for me, a carb-loving gal who is quite happy with a basket of bread, a plate of pasta, or a bowl full of crackers.
Finally, autopsy results are in for University of Central Florida football player Ereck Plancher, who died during spring drills in March --
Add strawberries to your grocery list, ladies, because according to Harvard Medical School researchers, the nutrient-packed fruit may offer extra protection against cardiovascular disease.
Cholesterol may be one of the most misunderstood molecules, says one Harvard Medical School instructor. Why? Because cholesterol is not always a health risk. It's vital to many of the body's essential functions, in fact. Still, the more cholesterol in the blood, the greater the chance some may become oxidized (damaged). This can lead to the build up of plaque, which can narrow the arteries and increase the risk for heart disease. Take a look at these four steps for keeping your cholesterol in check.
In the market for a tasty, healthy treat? Try blueberries. Why? Read on and you'll find a handful of reasons.







