Recent studies have shown that people who are lonely have higher blood pressure than
those who are not lonely. Unwanted isolation is just as dangerous to heart health as being
overweight or inactive. Often, it is the stress and frustration of being alone that causes
the elevation in blood pressure. One strategy for preventing isolation is to become more
involved in community events. Volunteering is a great way of socializing with others, while
feeling good about yourself and your contribution towards a particular cause.
Plants – special friends, indeed
Not only do they look pretty, they actually take care of us, both mentally and physically.
Scientific studies have shown that plants are indeed beneficial to our well-being. In fact, a
study conducted by the University of Agriculture in Norway revealed that employees surrounded
by plants in their office experienced a 25% drop in fatigue, coughing, sore throats and other cold-related illnesses. Many
health-care facilities are implementing “plant therapy” in order to reduce stress, thereby promoting healing. This type of therapy
can be accomplished by something as simple as placing a few plants in a waiting room.
Plants have some incredible therapeutic capabilities, some of which include:
• Removing harmful chemicals from the air, such as formaldehyde and carbon monoxide
• Absorbing noise and lessening dust
• Lowering blood pressure, helping concentration and improving memory
• Promoting feelings of relaxation and well-being
Rooms with plants contain fewer airborne molds and bacteria. According to the book, “Design for a Livable Planet: How You Can
Help Clean up the Planet” by Jon Naar, 15 to 20 plants are sufficient to clean the air in a 1,500-square-foot area.
Now is a better time than ever to welcome some lovely plants into your home. Do it for your health!
| Aspirin therapy: women can benefit, too |
Women cannot underestimate
the dangers of heart disease
any longer |
Women can reduce the risk of stroke by taking low-dose aspirin. This
information comes from the Women’s Health Study, which recently concluded that women taking aspirin for a period of 10 years had a
17% lower risk of stroke, and a 24% lower risk of stroke caused by blood
clots. While the risk of stroke was significantly reduced for middle-aged
women, the study found that women aged 65 and older taking the lowdose
aspirin were 30% less likely to have a stroke caused by blood clots,
and 34% less likely to suffer a heart attack.
The findings of this study are significant. Previously, aspirin had only
been linked to reducing heart attacks in men. Since women suffer from
strokes more frequently than men, aspirin will no doubt evolve into a
regular prevention treatment for women (especially those over 65 years
of age, for whom the benefits are even more considerable).
Regular aspirin treatment can sometimes cause stomach or intestinal
bleeding. However, the director of the National Heart, Lung and Blood
Institute in the U.S. believes that aspirin therapy is quite manageable.
We recommend that you consult your doctor before embarking on an
aspirin regimen.
|
Believe it or not, more women than men are suffering
from heart problems. According to the
World Health Organization, 8.1 million women will
succumb to heart problems this year (in comparison
to 7.9 million men).
There are several reasons
for the increase in heart disease among women:
• After menopause, estrogen (a protective
hormone) decreases, thereby making women
more susceptible to heart-related problems
• Women do not always receive comparable
medical treatment for heart-related problems
• Many women still believe that heart disease is
a male issue
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