Six essential steps for preventing heart attacks

40392283_MDid you know that cardiovascular disease kills more people in America than all types of cancer combined? As the leading cause of death in the United States, cardiovascular disease is a health concern for many (as it should be). If you’re looking for ways to reduce your risk for heart issues like heart attacks, you’ve come to the right place. Here at Proactive Wellness Centers, preventing cardiovascular diseases is one of our biggest focuses, starting with these six steps.

1. Research your risk factors

Many heart conditions are genetic, so it’s extremely important to have an understanding of the medical history of your family. Reach out to your parents, grandparents, and even great-grandparents (if possible) to figure out if there are any heart issues that run in the family. Additionally, you can schedule an Advanced Cardiac Evaluation at Proactive Wellness Center. This one-of-a-kind program uses a combination of leading-edge biomarkers and diagnostic tools to provide you with a complete risk profile. Working with your doctor, you can use this risk profile to decide how to move forward with your heart health.

2. Eat a heart-healthy diet

What you choose to fuel your body with plays a huge role in your overall health, and that’s especially true in terms of heart health. There are three main components to a heart-healthy diet: less saturated fat, less sodium and more fresh produce. You can reduce your consumption of saturated fats by opting for lean protein sources (such as poultry). You can also use less butter and oil while cooking. It’s easy to reduce sodium intake by avoiding prepackaged and fast food. You can replace salty and fatty foods with fresh fruits and vegetables, which provide many of the essential nutrients that help your body fight off disease.

3. Get moving

Daily physical activity is one of the best ways you can keep your heart in tip-top shape. Experts recommend at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity a week is a good target for a healthy heart. One of the best tips is to find an activity you enjoy. If jogging isn’t your thing, try swimming or sign up for a dance class. If you really enjoy nature, you could take up hiking or mountain biking. Anything that gets your heart pounding is fair game! And if you’re currently sedentary, don’t worry about jumping straight into a tough exercise regime. Start out slow and work your way up to that 150 weekly minute recommendation.

4. Manage stress

Research has shown a connection between high levels of stress and strain on the heart. And, just to be clear, you shouldn’t turn to drugs or alcohol to manage the stress. Those vices can also cause heart problems. Better options for reducing stress include meditation, yoga, exercise, and socializing with friends and family. You could also take up a hobby that brings you happiness and helps you feel less stressed, like knitting, jogging or gardening.

5. See a specialist

If you truly want to be proactive about your heart health, scheduling an appointment with a preventative medicine specialist is a good idea. Preventative medicine specialists, like the ones here at Proactive Wellness Centers, will work with you directly to mitigate your risk factors

6. Get a CIMT

With medical technology improving every day, it’s important to take advantage of the preventative tools available to you. A CIMT, which stands for Caratoid Intima Media Thickness, examines the thickness of your artery walls and the amount of plaque found in your arteries. This helps medical professionals determine if you are at risk for cardiovascular diseases, far earlier than any other test. This non-invasive, cost-effective diagnostic tool only takes 10 minutes and could potentially help you discover heart issues before they’re irreversible.

Are you ready to take charge of your heart health? Schedule a preventative appointment with Proactive Wellness Centers today, and be sure to follow us on social media for more health and wellness tips.

5 early signs of Alzheimer’s that you can’t ignore

`As our loved ones get older, it’s natural to begin to worry about their health. And with someone new developing Alzheimer’s disease every 65 seconds, this serious brain condition is probably near the top of your list of things to worry about. One of the best ways to treat Alzheimer’s disease is to catch it early. Be aware of your older loved ones and watch out for these common early Alzheimer’s symptoms.

1. Memory Loss

This symptom is the most obvious, but if someone is beginning to develop Alzheimer’s, it will go beyond the occasional forgetfulness. If their memory loss is getting to the point where it’s seriously affecting their day-to-day lives, then it’s probably time to see a specialist.

2. Disorientation

If your loved one suddenly can’t remember where they are, what day it is, or even what month it is, then you should be seriously concerned. This disorientation is a sign of the cognitive decline that Alzheimer’s causes.

3. Mood & Personality Changes

If you notice that your older relatives are expressing more anger or sadness than usual, then it could be one of the first signs of Alzheimer’s. Another common symptom of Alzheimer’s disease is social withdrawal. If you find that your mom or dad is showing up to events less and avoiding other people, this could be a cause for concern.

4. Trouble Communicating

Speech and vocalization use a specific part of the brain, and if Alzheimer’s disease begins to attack that part of the brain, then you’ll find that communication skills start to struggle. Difficulty pronouncing words or repeating phrases again and again can be signs of Alzheimer’s disease. People who are beginning to develop Alzheimer’s may also have a hard time keeping up with and participating in conversations.

5. Unusual Behaviors

This category is broad and could look a little different for each person, but if your loved one begins behaving in a way that you just can’t explain, then you should consider getting help. Wandering off alone, hiding objects, weird outbursts, giving away money, or ignoring hygiene could all be small signs of something much bigger.

If you spot some of these symptoms in a loved one and you want to begin helping them, contact us at Proactive Wellness Centers. Our innovative Bredesen-Protocol Strategies can reverse cognitive decline caused by Alzheimer’s. And the sooner the treatment begins, the better. So be on the lookout for these symptoms, and rely on Proactive Wellness Centers to care for your loved ones.

The ‘super food’ that fights ‘super bugs’ — naturally

61151204 - gum rockrose, cistus ladanifer, flower, close upHave you heard of the plant Cistus Incanus? The plants in this genus have powerful properties that fight many of the harmful pathogens that can negatively impact the human body and cause health problems.

If you’re interested in taking a holistic, integrative approach to health and wellness, then you’ll want to learn more about this important plant. Keeping to a healthy, natural diet is just one important way to support your overall health. Your food can be good medicine, by providing the range of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and nutrients your body needs to heal itself and stay strong.

But beyond simply supporting health, Cistus Incanus is known to be useful in the following ways:

Antiviral – The plant has been shown in studies to have powerful impacts on viruses. It works to prevent viral infection by targeting viral envelope proteins, and preventing the virus from entering healthy cells to replicate. In short, it prevents viruses from spreading in the body, which gives the body’s own immune system a chance to kills the virus and prevent illness.

Antibacterial – Cistus has been shown to be effective against both Streptococcus mutans, the bacteria that commonly causes tooth decay, and Staphylococcus aureus, more commonly known as staph.

Anti-fungal – Are you struggling with mold-related issues, yeast, or other fungal infections? Cistus has been shown to be a powerful ally against fungal infections and recurrent issues. Fungus and mold can cause respiratory issues, rashes, memory issues, chronic digestive problems and inflammation in the body. Cistus can be a powerful source of relief in treating ongoing issues.

Repels ticks – To prevent Lyme disease and other illness, it is important to repel ticks. Cistus helps to prevent Lyme disease by working as a potent tick repellent. Even better, it contains none of the toxic chemicals more commonly used as a tick repellent.

So, what is Cistus? All of these benefits come from the plant Cistus Incanus, which grows naturally in the Mediterranean regions of Southern Europe, and North Africa. It grows in dry or rocky soils throughout the Mediterranean region, from Morocco and Portugal through to the Middle East, and also on the Canary Islands.

Cistus is a perennial shrub, and is commonly encountered as a garden flower. The flowers are often referred to as rockroses. The flowers bloom in colors ranging from pure white to bright pink.

The plant has been used by practitioners of natural medicine for many generations, and is traditionally used for cold, flu, respiratory tract infections. It has also been used to treat inflammation and soothe skin.

How do you use Cistus? One common way is to make a natural tea. You can also find it in tinctures. We recommend discussing use with your doctor – preferably one that takes a holistic, integrative approach to health and wellness.

You’ll want to discuss all of your health issues, and any other supplements and medications you might be taking. It’s important to take a whole-body and whole-life approach to treatment, so that you address the issues — and not just the symptoms. You want to look at environmental issues, as well as lifestyle, emotional and other important issues that can impact health.

Cistus is a powerful, natural plant, but it’s only one part of the overall picture. You’ll want to take a look at removing environmental factors like mold, and improving your overall health through good lifestyle choices. We can help with that, when you’re ready.

If you have any questions about your health, please don’t hesitate to give us a call! Check out our website for more information, as well. We want to partner with you to find solutions that work, and help you to live your most active, healthy life – through use of all available resources, including natural, healthy supplements and an improved diet.