Healthy Heart at Any Age

February is known as American Heart Health Month. Cardiovascular-related conditions are on the rise each year; they are one of the most prevalent  causes of health issues in America. Millions of Americans have High Blood Pressure, Cholesterol & heart-related health conditions.

Just this past year, the American Heart Association has lowered the hypertension threshold from 140/90 to 130/80. With this new definition, more than 100 million Americans will have high blood pressure, or a whopping 46% of the population.

High Blood Pressure, Cholesterol & Heart Attacks affect so many but don’t even know, since there are no associated symptoms…until it is too late.

 Heart Disease is the #1 Cause of DEATH in the U.S, yet it is completely preventable. 

 It is important to be proactive about your Heart Health TODAY and not be   reactive. ALL of these conditions are preventable and also treatable without the use of medications, drugs or surgery!

 No matter your age or or past health history, there ARE ways to improve your   cardiovascular health, lower your risk of disease, and increase your overall state of   health!

Keeping your heart healthy is based on your lifestyle and choice. Here are some fundamental principles to follow:

Eat a Healthy Diet

“Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.”― Hippocrates

Nutrition is a critical part of a healthy lifestyle. What you eat directly affects your internal organs; proper nutrition gives our body the proper fuel it needs to thrive and starve off disease.  Consuming a diet rich in nutrient-dense, quality whole foods will improve the functioning of your cardiovascular system. Processed, fake and high sugar foods should be avoided, as they cause inflammation & increase heart related problems.

Exercise

Daily physical activity is so important for your overall health! Our bodies were designed to for daily movement, and with our sedentary, desk-ridden lifestyles, we have to make a conscious effort to incorporate activity on a daily basis. Movement has been shown to lower your blood pressure, improve mood & energy, brain function, and lower your risk for all diseases.

Movement such as walking is neccessary, but increasing your heart rate through exercise is where the healing benefits occur. Moderate to vigorous exercise 3-5x a week is recommended for optimal heart health. Keep in mind, the type of exercise and level of intensity should all be tailored to your individual health needs & goals.

 Stress Reduction

Stress is the underlying cause for 90% of all visits to the doctor and chronic health conditions. Our 21st century society is constantly being bombarded with more to do with less resources. Stress can come in many forms (emotional, mental, physical, environmental) and all types affects our body in the same negative way. Chronic Stress raises inflammation in our body & leads to conditions like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, hormone imbalances, increased risk of diseases like heart attacks and strokes.

Reduce or eliminate the stress you do have control over. Furthermore, find what works for you best in managing the stress in your life. We recommend our patients to take at least 15-20 minutes a day to decompress.  Guided meditation, journaling, spending time outside or with loved ones, engaging in a hobby are all useful and beneficial. Even simple breathing techniques (like our post here) can be very helpful!

Use Chiropractic

In March of 2007, the Journal of Human Hypertension published a study that demonstrated a significant decrease in blood pressure following a chiropractic adjustment to the first cervical bone, known as C1 or the Atlas vertebra (located at the base of the skull). This study involved 50 individuals with high blood pressure; the improvement in blood pressure levels continued into the eighth week following the adjustment—potentially longer, as the study only assessed the patients following the adjustment and at a follow-up visit eight weeks later.