Happy Healthy Heart Valentine's Day In Laguna Beach in Laguna Beach CA

Happy Valentine's Day! Today, we get to focus on the heart. Our heart is our life source, and its beat keeps us dancing to the rhythm of life! Today, we have the opportunity to express our hearts by recognizing and celebrating those that we love. Today, we also have the opportunity to care for our own hearts, not only in a spiritual and emotional sense, but also physically. Your heart is of deep value, and today we want to share with you how to keep it strong and healthy.

Did you know that your heart beats 100,000 times a day?

That means it has to be pretty strong! But sadly many Americans don't have a healthy heart. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in America! 75 million Americans suffer from Heart Disease and each year 610,000 Americans die from this condition- that's 1 in every 4 deaths. The good news is that there is a lot you can do to improve your cardiovascular health in Laguna Beach CA! We share these statistics so that there can be awareness and change. We must know what is causing these heart challenges, and find solutions.

INFLAMMATION: THE NUMBER ONE CARDIAC RISK in LAGUNA BEACH

Research points to inflammation as the most important issue to pay attention to. Inflammation is the number one concern for your overall health and the real cause of heart disease. It is inflammation that causes cholesterol to be trapped in the arteries, and without this inflammation of the artery walls, cholesterol would move freely through the body as nature intended.

So what causes inflammation?

Inflammation is the body's natural response to foreign invaders such as bacteria, viruses, toxins, and unnatural or harmful foods. When exposed to these, the body's cycle of inflammation helps to protect us from them; however, with constant exposure, our body suffers from chronic inflammation. If you experience pain, fatigue, high blood pressure, or digestive disturbances there is a good chance that inflammation is playing a role. It is important to look closely at these red flags because chronic inflammation eventually leads to greater health concerns including Cardiovascular Disease, Diabetes, Alzheimer's, Arthritis, Cancer, Autoimmune Disease, and Neurological Disease.

CARDIAC RISK FACTORS AND WARNING SIGNS

We should all be aware of our risk for heart challenges, heart disease, and heart attacks.

Risk Factors for Heart Challenges:

• older age
• post-menopausal
• diabetes
• high cholesterol
• high blood pressure
• high c-reactive proteins
• uncontrolled stress
• family history of heart disease
• history of smoking
• obesity
• uncontrolled diabetes
• physical inactivity
• spurts of anger
• diet high in unhealthy fats

Warning Signs of Heart Attack:

• chest discomfort
• shortness of breath
• unexplained arm, neck, shoulder or jaw pain
• indigestion
• light-headedness
• nausea

HOW WE CAN HELP

Through integrative medicine, we tend to the risk factors of heart disease to make sure the heart is healthy and strong. We can help you find out what risk factors may be present, the underlying causes of heart problems, and the role inflammation is playing in your heart health.

To assess heart health, we provide…

• Comprehensive Blood Tests- measure blood lipids and cholesterol, C-reactive proteins, homocysteine levels, ferritin levels, anemia, and several other factors pertaining to heart health and inflammation
• Blood Pressure Testing- measures your blood pressure to get a basic starting point for evaluation
• ABI- The Ankle Brachial Index - this test measures the blood pressure at the ankle and in the arm to create a ratio between the two. It is used to check for peripheral arterial disease and to access the risk of heart attack and stroke.

We combine biochemistry evaluations, allergy and food intolerance testing, nutritional counseling, supplement protocols, and detoxification programs to guide you in the process of improvement. Through a blood chemistry analysis, you will be able to watch your inflammatory markers - C reactive protein, homocysteine, and ferritin levels- decrease as you begin a strategy of lifestyle modification, dietary changes, exercise and supplementation. You can walk the road towards a healthier and healthier you!

LIFESTYLE CHANGES TO LOWER YOUR RISK

Lifestyle changes to decrease inflammation, lower your cardiac risk, and improve your overall health!

Lifestyle plays a huge role in chronic inflammation. A diet high in sugars and saturated fats along with insufficient exercise is the perfect recipe for inflammation. However, changes in exercise and diet have been proven to be the most effective means in decreasing inflammation. For greater heart health, implement these lifestyle changes:

• Exercise regularly
• Eat healthy fats making sure to keep a good ratio between Omega-3 and Omega-6 fats
• Maintain a diet full of fruits and vegetables, and make sure to get enough Zinc, Potassium,
• Magnesium, Vitamin B, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, and Vitamin K2 .
• KEEP LAUGHING

As you think through the steps you want to take towards greater cardiac and overall health for you and your loved ones, keep this in mind: a good, belly laugh improves heart health by increasing your blood flow by 20% as the lining of your blood vessel walls relaxes and expands. So keep laughing!