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Happy Valentine's Day!

In honor of the holiday of the heart, I'm writing about how to maintain a healthy heart. First, let's look at the bad news then finish with the good news. Please keep reading.

One in five of us will die from heart disease. The first sign of heart disease in 50% of heart attacks is sudden death. Heart disease is increasing for women and decreasing for men. More men will develop heart disease then women but women are six times more likely to die of heart disease then men are. Women's signs and symptoms of a heart attack are less severe than men's are so they're often overlooked, misdiagnosed and mistreated.

Invasive medical procedures to diagnose and treat heart disease began in the 1960's, yet there has been no significant decrease in the incidence of death and dysfunction from heart disease. In a recent article in the AARP magazine, a noted heart specialist was quoted as saying that routine catherization of suspected heart risk patients could decrease future heart problems by 18%. That's not very impressive. What he did not mention was the incidence of problems associated with catherization. Twenty percent of the time, patients suffer scarring in their heart vessels caused by catherization. Nor did he mention the number of emergency surgeries, which involved cutting open the patient's chest, that were necessary as a result of catherization.

In a 22-year study, the Veterans Administration compared the use of invasive heart procedures including catherization, bypass surgery and angioplasty with conservative therapy. They found no difference in outcomes for patients in either group. What that means is that there was no improvement in quality or length of life in those who had $5,000 vs. $60,0000 worth of care. And the four latest studies on the subject showed that routine angiography and revascularization (opening up the arteries) does not decrease re-clogging of the arteries or death.

The only patients who showed a positive outcome from the invasive procedures were those with damage to the muscle on the left side of their heart. On the other side, 15,000 patients were injured, 1,680 patients were killed and 1,120 had to have their chests cut open with emergency surgery as a result of invasive procedures.

What are our concerns when it comes to the kind of treatment we receive for any ailment?

1. How much does the treatment help?
2. How much does it hurt?
3. How much does it cost?

If it doesn't help significantly, if it hurts us, and if it costs more than procedures that work just as well or better, why are we using those procedures? Why aren't we using procedures that are more effective, less damaging and less expensive? Please draw your own conclusions.

On to the good news! A $10 shot of magnesium decreases mortality by 50% in one month. What would happen if you took a high quality, absorbable form of magnesium in a program of balanced nutritional support before you had a heart attack? Exercise programs decrease the incidence of a second heart attack by 78%. What if you engaged in an exercise program right now? Might it prevent a first heart attack? And finally, moderate aerobic activity will decrease death by 60% regardless of the severity of the heart condition. Why not get more active now?

What else will keep your heart healthy?

• Exercise
• Eating fatty fish at least twice a week
• Garlic
• Olive oil
• Vegetables and fruits
• Nuts and seeds
• Adequate good sleep
• Decreasing commercial animal fats
• Eliminating processed oils (e.g.hydrogenated)
• Having fun
• Deep breathing
• Beneficial relationships
• Participating in community
• Taking care of something (like a plant or a pet) or someone outside of yourself

Are you doing any or all of those things? Do you want/need to do more of them? Times a wastin'! We only get one body after all. Please call me if I can support you in creating an effective program to improve your heart health. I have the time, resources, knowledge, skills and the desire to help get you where you want to go.