Are You Experiencing Heart Disease Symptoms?

Heart Disease Prevention may include Physical Therapy, Chiropractic and Nutritional Support

In the US, heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women. More than 2,400 Americans die of cardiovascular disease each day, an average of one death every 37 seconds! According to the American Heart Association, over 80 million Americans suffer from some form of cardiovascular disease. Cardiovascular disease is the cause of more deaths than the next five causes of death combined - cancer, chronic lower respiratory diseases, accidents, diabetes mellitus and flu/pneumonia.

But, there is good news… most of the factors that contribute to heart disease are under your control.  Yes, family history and genetics do play a part, but lifestyle factors (smoking, obesity, stress, physical inactivity and a poor diet) often increase the risk of heart disease problems.

Since 1963, February has been celebrated as American Heart Month, urging Americans to join the battle against heart disease. At the AIMS Clinic, we believe that staying active is key to a healthy heart. Physical therapy is an excellent option to maintain or improve mobility. With our “hands-on” evaluation, diagnosis and therapy options (active and passive), our team of physical therapists treat many kinds of pain and inflammation. In addition, fitness recommendations are provided to promote good health. Exercise and heart disease prevention go hand in hand! Conservative treatment, such as physical therapy may be recommended first, to avoid the potential risk of certain medications. However, if pain or other heart disease symptoms are not alleviated, medication may be a necessary step and offered by our Medical Doctors.

Another key component in the fight against heart disease problems is chiropractic care. According to research, specific chiropractic adjustments of the upper cervical spine can have a positive effect on blood pressure, lowering both systolic and diastolic pressure considerably for extended periods of time.  Patients with upper cervical joint dysfunction, who receive upper cervical adjustments frequently show significant decreases in systolic blood pressure, while others who receive an adjustment of the vertebrae in the neck and lower back can activate specific nervous system reflexes, leading to a reduction in overall heart rate and blood pressure. At the AIMS Clinic, our Chiropractic Team is passionate about living healthy - providing each patient with motivation and stress reduction techniques.  

Most people realize that certain foods - fatty meats, fried or barbecued foods, cakes, pies and stimulants (coffee or black tea that contain caffeine) should be avoided. However, to reduce the risk of heart disease problems, our third recommendation is proper nutrition - fuel for the heart. This includes magnesium, coenzyme Q10, chromium, selenium, silicon, vitamin D3 and vitamin B6. Fruit, tomatoes, carrots, sweet potatoes, dark leafy greens, alfalfa sprouts and whole-grain products are rich in antioxidants. Anthocyanidins (help lower the risk of heart attack and stroke by dilating blood vessels and keeping the blood flowing freely) are found in grapes, eggplant and red cabbage. Essential fatty acids are found in walnuts, almonds, olive oil, wild salmon, trout and tuna. To reduce serum cholesterol levels, try adding garlic and onions to your diet. Drink water! One study reports that men who drank at least five glasses of water daily reduced their risk of heart disease by 51% and women reduced their risk by 35%.

Unfortunately, food alone may not be enough to prevent or reverse heart disease, due to over-farming and failure to replenish vital minerals in our soil. Therefore, supplementation may be recommended, once testing is evaluated.

At the AIMS Clinic, additional treatment options are offered for preventing and/or correcting heart disease problems, including Intravenous Chelation Therapy. IV Chelation Therapy is a successful alternative to reducing inflammation and infection within the body. At our Clinic, it is commonly used to remove heavy metals and to treat heart disease.

It is vital to detect the cause or causes of heart disease for you! Basic recommendations include eating a heart disease prevention diet, reducing or eliminating tobacco use, maintaining a healthy weight and exercising daily. If you are experiencing cardiovascular issues, please contact your doctor. To learn how to reduce or prevent heart disease, contact the AIMS Clinic.