by Dr. Terry A. Rondberg
Heart disease is the #1 disease killer in the US, taking the lives of about 600,000 people each year – that’s one of every four deaths.
Yet, according to conservative estimates by the American Heart Association, 80% of heart disease and stroke can be prevented. Rather than treat the disease after the fact, we can protect ourselves and our loved ones from heart problems BEFORE they begin.
To do that, we need to live a healthy lifestyle that incorporates scientifically validated wellness techniques including nutrition, exercise, meditation, and other drug-free, non-invasive approaches to well-being. “There is much more to the prevention and treatment of heart disease than pills and procedures,” explained Stephen Devries, MD, coeditor of the medical journal, Integrative Cardiology.
The first step to take is eliminating any obviously dangerous areas, like obesity, excess alcohol consumption, smoking, or failing to get sufficient physical exercise into your daily routine.
After that, you need to look at your diet and nutrition. Working with wellness professionals who can provide guidance into real life eating choices and special approaches like juicing, detoxing, alkaline balance, or whole foods is essential for those wanting to maximize their wellness levels.
The most important factor in heart disease and heart attacks is stress. Stress causes a cascade of internal reactions including muscle tension, increased heart rate and blood pressure, and elevated levels of stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol. Occasional short-term periods of stress are normal and our bodies have the amazing power to manage the effects without damage. But, long-term or too frequent activation of the stress-response system can, in the words of the Mayo Clinic, “disrupt almost all your body’s processes.”
