Experts who are pushing for the tightest control of the risk factors like blood pressure and bad cholesterol point out that the lower you get for these tests the better the outcome will be.

They have formed the conclusion after looking into the data about the arteries of around 3437 men who participated in several studies conducted by the Cleveland Clinic. The trials involved using ultrasound probes to check for the fatty deposits along the lining of the blood vessels.

The deposits of fats were thinnest for those men who demonstrated the lowest levels of bad cholesterol or LDL. This was also correlated to the low blood pressure readings.

To be more specific, the least growth of fatty deposits was for men who had below 70mg/dL of blood cholesterol and a systole of under 120.

The indicative reading for higher risk for cardiac problems is about 140 or higher of systolic blood pressure for men. Anything that is between 120 and 140 is a prehypertension case. Experts recommend an LDL or bad cholesterol level of 100 for those with potential risk and aiming to lower that figure to 70. You need cholesterol control!

High risk patients must aim for a blood pressure systole of lower than 120 and an LDL level of below 70 to get the greatest benefit.

Doctors from the Stahl Eye Center in New York declare that too much cholesterol increases the risk factor for occluding the blood vessels in your eyes.

Just like any other organ, the eyes need a good blood supply. Too much cholesterol prevents blood from going coming out of the eye in a normal way.

With retinal vein occlusion, the passage way or the blood vessel coming out of the retina gets narrower and narrower because of cholesterol and the slow flow of blood which eventually develops into a clot. The case is the same for arteries.

The Journal of the American Medical Association cites high blood pressure and high cholesterol level increases the risk for retinal vein occlusion. A study in Ireland concludes that people with high blood pressure is 3 times more prone to retinal vein occlusion. High cholesterol increases the risk by 2.5 times.

Experts suggest that those taking care of a person’s hypertension or high levels of cholesterol should also be wary on the health of the patient’s eyes.

Retinal blood vessel occlusion does not present early symptoms until it may be too late. A significant loss of vision can be prevented if you look at the things that you are supposed to take care of.

Doctors recommend a combo of eating healthy, regular exercise, and losing some weight.

Statistics published in some journals also show that only 50 % of heart doctors monitor and treat their patients for fighting their depression. It also states that not all patients diagnosed with depression are getting proper care and treatment.

Depression may play a major role in the quality of life of a heart patient. Untreated depression may result to poorer daily practices like skipping of prescribed medications, not following of the designed rehabilitation program, or not following the recommended diet.

The study also emphasized the importance of the participation of the whole health care team to determine if the patient is suffering from depression.

Experts suggest asking two basic questions to determine a potential occurrence of depression. First is to ask if the heart patient has lost his interest or drive in doing things. Second is to ask if the patient felt unmotivated, hopeless, or depressed. An affirmative answer to one or both questions signifies depression.

Depending on the severity of the condition, doctors may recommend antidepressants or refer them to a professional mental expert for therapy.

Psychiatrists, on the long term, want to see how heart patients with depression will do or cope. They also endorse following the recommendation of the heart association pushing for screening and close monitoring of heart patients for depression.

The study also noted that patients who experience depression may seek consult but not all of these people will complete the recommended therapy sessions to fight depression.