Dr. Revana Recommends Red Wine and Dark Chocolate for National Heart Month
Humble, TX (PRWEB) February 19, 2015 -- Forget all the champagne and flowers from Valentine’s Day. The best way to keep loved ones’ hearts beating strong is with dark chocolate and red wine. Dr. Madaiah Revana, a cardiologist with the Northeast Houston Vein Center, encourages choosing this heart healthy food and drink for National Heart Month.
Heart disease is the number-one killer of women, causing one in three women’s deaths each year. Its importance is still under-recognized because of the false belief that it primarily affects men.
According to the American Heart Association, 90 percent of women have one or more risk factors for developing heart disease. Although some risk factors cannot be avoided, such as family history, with the right education, prevention and determination, it can be treated and even ended. Exercising regularly, quitting smoking, losing weight, eating better, managing cholesterol, managing blood pressure and reducing blood sugar are all things everyone is in control of. Dr. Revana wants everyone to know that he is here to help lead and guide people to a healthier lifestyle.
The American Heart Association says, “every minute in the United States, someone’s wife, mother, daughter or sister dies from a form of heart disease.”
That fact can almost be directly linked to the symptoms of heart disease in women and the under diagnosing of them. As far as symptoms of heart disease go, women are much more likely to experience the atypical symptoms such as dizziness, fatigue, light-headedness, shortness of breath, pain between the shoulder blades, nausea, back pain and indigestion.
Due to the less recognizable symptoms women undergo, they are often unaware that what they are experiencing is a heart attack. Women then tend to blow off the warning signs, assuming something else must be wrong. Properly diagnosing the symptoms plays a vital role because if they are missed, the discovery of the heart disease may be too late. Because of his extensive experience, Dr. Revana knows and understands the differences between the symptoms of men and women.
Eaten in moderation as part of a healthy diet, chocolate may be just what Dr. Revana ordered for better health. Dark chocolate contains flavonoids that act as antioxidants that help reduce the risk of certain illnesses such as heart disease and hypertension.
It’s important to know that not all chocolate is created equal, and milk chocolate only contains cocoa, fat, sugar and artificial flavorings; nothing that will positively benefit health. Avoid chocolate with fillings such as caramel; the sugar and fat that is added to those may erase many of the benefits one gets from eating chocolate.
A glass of red wine a day keeps the doctor away! The same antioxidants found in chocolate (flavonoids) work the exact same way in red wine; they reduce the risk of heart disease by reducing production of “bad” cholesterol, boosting “good” cholesterol and reducing blood clotting.
"Besides reducing a cardiovascular event, it can reduce some cancers, also dementia and Alzheimer's disease and acts like a tranquilizer and relaxes. There's a saying - I had a rough day, I need a drink... it's good for all of this, but in moderation, of course," says Dr. Revana.
Dr. Revana is not encouraging those who do not currently drink alcohol to do so, because of the dangerous side effects of consuming too much. To reap the maximum benefit, women should only consume one glass a day (4 oz.), and two for men.
Good news for red wine lovers – it is ok and healthy to indulge in moderation. Just like the risk factors of heart disease previously mentioned, everyone is in complete control over how much alcohol intake they consume. Moderation is key.
It’s time for women to take charge of their health and their life. Know the proper signs and symptoms of the heart, and don’t ignore them. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, give Dr. Revana a call today to schedule an appointment at (281)-446-4638.
About Northeast Houston Vein Center:
The experienced physicians at Northeast Houston Vein Center offer comprehensive vein treatment in the Houston area. They provide the latest techniques and state-of-the-art equipment in the diagnosis and treatment of venous disease. Since its establishment in 1978, the medical professionals at Northeast Houston Vein Center have been dedicated to going above and beyond for their patients. Treatment options are minimally invasive and the outpatient procedures will allow patients to resume normal activities the same day. At Northeast Houston Vein Center, patients can imagine a life free of venous disease. For more information, visit their website at http://nehoustonveincenter.com/.
Sheila Tackett, Northeast Houston Vein Center, http://nehoustonveincenter.com/, (832) 412-4086, [email protected]
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