Cardiologist shares symptom no one should never ignore with heart health
Millions of people are living with heart and circulatory diseases, and more than half of us will get one of these conditions in our lifetime, the British Heart Foundation estimates. This means that keeping an eye on our heart health and paying attention to possible symptoms of disease is vital.
Dr Darius Farzad, a cardiologist at Jefferson Health, stated that chest pain is the most common complaint seen in the hospital. He advised that if you are experiencing chest pain, even if it seems unconvincing, you should let a healthcare provider know about it.
He added that many people later diagnosed with heart problems will try to "ride out" chest pain for several days while chalking it up to heartburn. Dr Farzad warned against Googling symptoms and using online information as a health guide because "it's not always reliable".
If you experience new symptoms, you should be talking to a doctor, he said.
"The thing about some forms of heart disease is that they can manifest in a lot of different ways," Dr Farzad said. "And I think the other important thing about heart disease is that it's something that can be sort of systemic, meaning a lot of different organ systems can be implicated, and tied to what's sort of more centrally a cardiac diagnosis.", reports Surrey Live.
More than 7.6 million people across the UK are battling with heart and circulatory diseases, the British Heart Foundation (BHF) reveals.
These numbers soar above those dealing with cancer and Alzheimer's combined.
Alarmingly, this figure is set to swell even further, with predictions showing an additional million individuals could be affected by 2030, rising to two million more by 2040. A whopping 80% of sufferers also grapple with another health ailment.
If you've had any kind of heart trouble in the past, like heart attacks, congestive heart failure or arrhythmia, then a trip to the cardiologist is a must – especially if you're clocking high blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, or have been puffing away on cigarettes. If your heart's setting off alarm bells with worrisome symptoms, Dr Farzad advises promptly getting checked out by a doc.
But what can you do to sidestep heart disease and become heart-healthy?
According to Dr Farzad, it's all about the right exercise and kissing smoking goodbye. Ditching the fags could, quite frankly, be the "most important, biggest thing" for your wellbeing.
A heart expert has highlighted the importance of diet in maintaining cardiac health, giving a nod to the Mediterranean lifestyle that shuns fried items, sugary treats, processed nibbles, and hollow carbs, while favouring fruit, vegetables, nuts, and lean meat. Yet, Dr Farzad cautioned: "We have to be really realistic about these things when we talk to patients and find a balance that's going to work for them and be practical."
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The Irish Sun
4 days ago
- The Irish Sun
Eat to beat dementia – our guide to the best foods, optimum portions and recipes to SLOW down brain ageing
IT'S a cruel disease that slowly steals the memories of it's victims, eradicating precious moments before claiming life itself. There is currently no cure for dementia, but there is growing evidence that certain lifestyle tweaks can help prevent it. And now, scientists believe they might have hit upon a simple diet that can help slow down the brain's ageing. 8 It's been revealed the 'MIND diet' could help prevent cognitive decline Credit: Getty Almost one million people in the UK live with dementia. And by 2050, the worldwide number is expected to rise from 57m in 2019 to 152m. In recent years, major medical breakthroughs and new drugs have shown promise in the quest to find a cure. But while that Holy Grail eludes scientists, there is increasing weight to the argument that what we eat can help ward off the killer disease. Research published earlier this month found the 'MIND diet' could help prevent cognitive decline. Scientists at the University of Hawaii in Manoa found that people who followed the diet for 10 years had a 25 per cent lower risk of dementia. But what exactly is MIND? 'It combines two diets, the Mediterranean diet and 'It aims to reduce dementia and the decline in brain health that often happens as people get older. 'It encourages foods that support brain function, like leafy greens, berries, nuts and olive oil , and limits those that can have a negative effect on cognitive health, such as saturated fats and added sugars.' The MIND diet focuses on nutrients which are proven to protect brain cells, including antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, B vitamins and polyphenols. Signs of dementia that might be missed 'Many experts regard these diets as two of the healthiest diets you can follow,' Emma says. 'Research has shown they can lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes and several other diseases.' The latest research is just the cherry on the cake. Studies have been ongoing in the area for a decade, with the first official paper showing MIND could significantly slow cognitive decline published in 2015. Evidence to show how it can boost your brain has been growing ever since. THE TOP MIND FOODS 8 To follow the MIND diet, you need to eat more leafy green vegetables Credit: Getty 8 Make sure to incorporate berries in your diet Credit: Getty 8 Whole grains like brown rice and wholewheat pasta are also very important Credit: Getty TO follow the MIND diet, you need to eat more leafy green vegetables, such as spinach, kale and lettuce. Berries, nuts, olive oil, whole grains (like brown rice and wholewheat pasta), beans, fish (preferably oily fish like salmon), poultry, oats and vegetables are also important. Of course, buying the best extra virgin olive oil and fresh berries is expensive. But Emma says there are ways to make MIND more affordable. 'Choose frozen berries and vegetables as they are just as nutritious and often cheaper,' she says. 'You can also buy chicken thigh instead of breast, which is often tastier, and use canned beans and fish. 'Making your own salad dressings with olive oil, vinegar and mustard is also really cost effective as the bottled stuff can be pricey.' HOW MANY PORTIONS? 8 The MIND diet recommends at least one portion of fish a week Credit: Getty 'In a nutshell, it's about incorporating brain-healthy foods,' she says. 'Beans and pulses are a big part of the diet as they are rich in B vitamins and protein, which is essential for brain function and neurotransmitter production. You should aim for three meals a week containing beans. 'The diet also recommends at least one portion of fish, though ideally it would be more than that. 'You should aim for at least one portion of oily fish as this is rich in omega-3 fats, which are important for the brain. 'You can also get omega-3s from other sources such as chia seeds and flax seeds so you can still follow MIND if you are vegan or vegetarian. It suits everyone.' THE SCIENCE BEHIND IT 8 MIND-recommended foods such as extra virgin olive oil are rich in polyphenols Credit: Getty MANY MIND-recommended foods such as extra virgin olive oil, leafy green vegetables and berries are rich in polyphenols. 'These are plant-based chemicals which are antioxidants and anti-inflammatory,' Nicolle says. Is it ageing or dementia? Dementia - the most common form of which is Alzheimer's - comes on slowly over time. As the disease progresses, symptoms can become more severe. But at the beginning, the symptoms can be subtle or mistaken for normal memory issues related to ageing. The You can refer to these above. For example, it is normal for an ageing person to forget which word to use from time-to-time, but difficulting having conversation would be more indicative of dementia. Katie Puckering, Head of Alzheimer's Research UK's Information Services team, 'As you get older, it takes longer for you to recall, or you really have to think; What was I doing? Where was I? What distracted me? Was it that I had to let the dog out? And then you find the keys by the back door. 'That process of retrieving the information is just a bit slower in people as they age. 'In dementia, someone may not be able to recall that information and what they did when they came into the house. 'What may also happen is they might put it somewhere it really doesn't belong. For example, rather than putting the milk back in the fridge, they put the kettle in the fridge.' 'They have been shown to Whole grain foods such as brown pasta and rice are important as they can promote better blood sugar balance, a crucial factor for long-term brain health. Another key part of the diet is magnesium, which has been proven to slow down brain ageing and can be found in nuts, seeds and wholegrains. 'The evidence for this diet is really strong,' Nicolle adds. 'This is something we should all be following.' FOODS TO AVOID Emma says to avoid foods "that can have a negative effect on cognitive health, such as saturated fats and added sugars". Think of saturated foods as those like fatty cuts of red meat, sausages, bacon, cured meats like salami, cheese, cream, ice cream and butter. It's also found in foods like biscuits, cakes, pastries, pies, chocolate, milkshakes and sausage rolls - which most of us know aren't the healthiest foods, anyway. UK health guidelines recommend that men should eat no more than 30g of saturated fat a day, and women 20g. You can make small changes like switching to skimmed milk, going for 'low fat' meats (i.e 5 per cent fat mince) or using leaner meats, like chicken. Added sugars are those that aren't natural (such as in fruit or honey). It's pretty much anything sweet and tasty, such as biscuits, fizzy drinks or squash and cakes. But added sugar is snuck into a huge variety of packaged foods, from condiments to soups, cereal and bread. Use the traffic light system on food labelling to spot a high sugar (red) product. Foods to avoid or limit: Butter, cream, cheese Red, cured or fatty meats Fried foods Sweet foods NICOLLE'S TOP TIPS FOR FAMILIES 8 Prepare smoothies ahead of time so the whole family can have a nourishing smoothie in the morning Credit: Getty 1. BE PREPARED PREPARE smoothies ahead of time and store them in zip lock bags in the fridge. In the morning, tip the contents into a blender so you and your children can have a nourishing smoothie before work and school. 2. HALF & HALF USE a mix of half brown and half white rice or pasta. Nobody will notice the difference but you'll get more goodness from the wholegrains. 3. TAKE A LEAF LEAFY greens like spinach shrink down when cooked, so adding a few handfuls to meals is a quick and low-effort way to boost nutrition, without putting children (and some adults) off. 4. BULK OUT WHEN making spaghetti bolognese, half the amount of mince and add a can of lentils. The lentils look similar to the meat so they are well hidden and taste great. In chilli, you can use black beans instead of mince. 5. EGGS-CELENT EVERYONE, including kids, loves eggy bread. Try making it with a thick slice of wholemeal bread, topped with maple syrup and strawberries. MEAL PLANS BREAKFAST OPTIONS: Greek yoghurt with berries, almonds and chopped walnuts Smoothie bowl with frozen berries, yoghurt and oats LUNCH OPTIONS: Mixed green salad with grilled chicken served with olive oil, lemon, or apple cider vinegar and wholegrain crackers Chicken caesar pitta filled with chicken, lettuce and caesar dressing DINNER OPTIONS: Quinoa bowl with chickpeas, broccoli, spinach and avocado dressed with olive oil and herbs, such as basil, oregano and parsley Salmon with steamed broccoli and a tray roasted vegetables, such as sweet potato, pepper and courgettes SNACKS: Nuts Hummus Apple slices with peanut butter 'LIVE LONGER' SMOOTHIE RECIPES 1. Raspberry chia smoothie Makes 2 servings 200g raspberries (defrosted if frozen) 100g pineapple (defrosted if frozen) 1 tsp chia seeds handful of spinach leaves 200ml milk of your choice. 2. Spinach, pineapple, banana smoothie Makes 2 servings 1 and a half cups of milk of choice 1 cup of spinach 1/2 cup of pineapple (defrosted if frozen) 2 scoops of vanilla protein powder 1 tablespoon of chia seeds or ground flaxseeds. MIND SHOPPING LIST 8 Make sure to include nuts such as walnuts and almonds in your diet Credit: Getty Leafy green vegetables (spinach, kale, rocket, etc.) Berries - especially blueberries and strawberries Nuts such as walnuts and almonds Extra Virgin olive oil Whole grains such as brown bread, brown rice and wholegrain pasta Fish - preferably oily fish like salmon or sardines Beans such as lentils, chickpeas, or kidney beans Poultry - chicken or turkey Vegetables - fresh or frozen Oats
Extra.ie
6 days ago
- Extra.ie
Blood test can tell if you're at risk of severe Alzheimer's
A simple blood test can tell which patients will rapidly develop severe Alzheimer's, a new study has revealed. Identifying those with mild cognitive impairment who are most likely to suffer an accelerated decline could allow them to enter clinical trials and get extra support, researchers say. Neurologists tested 315 non-diabetic patients with cognitive deficits, including 200 with Alzheimer's disease, for resistance to insulin – a hormone that regulates blood-sugar levels. A simple blood test can tell which patients will rapidly develop severe Alzheimer's, a new study has revealed. Pic: Getty Images This was assessed using the triglyceride-glucose (TYG) index. Among those with mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer's, individuals with the highest TYG scores declined four times faster over the three-year follow-up period than those with lower TYG levels. Researchers suggest that insulin resistance, which has been linked to the onset of Alzheimer's, may accelerate progression by impairing the uptake of glucose in the brain, promoting inflammation and disrupting the blood-brain barrier. It may also contribute to the build-up of amyloid, a toxic protein, in the brains of Alzheimer's patients. Identifying those with mild cognitive impairment who are most likely to suffer an accelerated decline could allow them to enter clinical trials and get extra support, researchers say. Pic: Shutterstock The scientists at the University of Brescia, Italy, also found that high TYG was associated with blood-brain barrier disruption and cardiovascular risk factors. However, they found no link between high TYG and other neurodegenerative diseases. Lead researcher Dr Bianca Gumina said: 'Once mild cognitive impairment is diagnosed, families always ask how fast it will progress. 'Our data shows that a simple metabolic marker available in every hospital laboratory can help identify more vulnerable subjects who may be suitable candidates for targeted therapy or specific intervention strategies.' Neurologists tested 315 non-diabetic patients with cognitive deficits, including 200 with Alzheimer's disease, for resistance to insulin – a hormone that regulates blood-sugar levels. Pic: Shutterstock While insulin resistance has been linked to the onset of Alzheimer's disease, its role in how quickly the condition progresses has received less attention. This study aimed to fill that gap by focusing on its impact during the prodromal mild cognitive impairment (MCI) stage, when patients follow highly variable trajectories. Dr Gumina commented: 'We were surprised to see the effect only in the Alzheimer's spectrum and not in other neurodegenerative diseases. 'It suggests a disease-specific vulnerability to metabolic stress during the prodromal window, when interventions may still change the trajectory.' The researchers found that high TYG was also associated with blood-brain barrier disruption and cardiovascular risk factors. The researchers found that high TYG was associated with blood-brain barrier disruption and cardiovascular risk factors. Pic: Getty Images However, it showed no interaction with the APOE genotype, a genetic vulnerability that increases the carrier's risk of developing Alzheimer's. This indicates metabolic and genetic risks may act through distinct pathways, they said. Identifying high-TYG patients could refine enrolment for clinical trials and prompt earlier lifestyle or drug-based measures to improve insulin sensitivity. The researchers are currently investigating whether TYG levels also align with neuroimaging biomarkers to aid earlier detection. 'If targeting metabolism can delay progression, we will have a readily modifiable target that works alongside emerging disease-modifying drugs', concluded Dr Gumina. The study will be presented today at the European Academy of Neurology Congress in Helsinki, Finland. There are over 64,000 people in this country living with dementia, according to the Alzheimer Society of Ireland, and this number is projected to more than double to over 150,000 by 2045.
Dublin Live
19-06-2025
- Dublin Live
12 injured after blast tears through pub in Spain tourist hotspot
A Spanish pub was rocked by a major explosion, leaving at least 12 people injured in the southeastern town today. The blast occurred at the Casa Javi bar situated in Lo Pagan, San Pedro del Pinatar, just before half past noon local time, near Murcia's Mediterranean coast. Even though it's not as packed with tourists as Spain's bigger resorts, the area has recently seen a visitor boom. More than 320,000 international holidaymakers visited the area from January to April, a 20% uptick from last year, reports Euro Weekly News. According to La7, emergency crews inclusive of police, firefighters, and medical staff were at the scene swiftly. Shocking pictures show the bar left in tatters, its canopy shredded, amidst rubble strewn over a bustling market street right at the heart of Lo Pagan. Nearby stalls and shops also caught some of the damage from what's being termed a "powerful explosion", reports the Irish Mirror. Euro Weekly News attributes the explosion to a gas leak, with authorities currently investigating the cause of the incident. At the time, the Casa Javi bar was closed, however, the town's market day crowd outside bore the brunt of the blast, causing multiple injuries among the onlookers and market visitors. Out of the 12 people injured, three suffered serious injuries. One individual was rushed to the intensive care unit at the Virgen de la Arrixaca Hospital in Murcia, while another was admitted to the hospital's burns unit. A third person with severe injuries was transported to Los Arcos del Mar Menor Hospital in nearby San Javier. Three more individuals with less severe injuries received treatment between Los Arcos and Santa Lucia Hospital in Cartagena. Seven people sustained minor injuries and were cared for at a local health centre. No fatalities have been reported. Emergency services continue to remain on site to assess the full extent of the damage. Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. For all the latest news from Dublin and surrounding areas visit our homepage.
