Your Heart Health

The natural health researchers at Institute for Vibrant Living (IVL) have investigated the natural ways we can improve heart health. Here is their report:

Having a healthy heart is everyone’s responsibility, but mostly our own. Your doctor can help but you have to help too. Here are some ways that you can work together to keep your body healthy.

What is it about doctors? They are health professionals who seek to keep us healthy. But, they are only as good as the information that is available to them. And, who knows more about your body and your life than you?

Many of us simply listen to the doctor and do whatever they say. This is not necessarily the way to go for your health. One doctor may recommend medication, another surgery and yet another may subscribe to the “wait and see” policy. But, any one of these may not work for you.

Test your Doctor

Once you get to a certain age, your physician should talk to you about heart health. If you are younger but have noticeable risk factors for heart disease, they need to approach the subject then. When you have concerns about your heart and your health, bring them up. Let’s see how your doctor responds. Do they:

Ask you about your diet?
Offer ways to reduce your risk factors?
Perform blood work to determine various levels like cholesterol, insulin and C-reactive protein?
Do a thorough examination?
Ask about family history?

If your doctor is on top of things, any one of the above points can get the conversation started on heart health. But, don’t be shy, join in on the conversation. If you are afraid you might forget your questions, write them down ahead of time.

Ask your doctor about the results of your tests. What do the cholesterol numbers mean? What is my blood pressure? Are there alternatives to medication? What if I experience side effects?

You can begin online. All the information you ever wanted to know is there. You can employ your doctor to explain what you don’t understand. Use it as a guide to getting the answers you want from your doctor not to replace your doctor.

Get Additional Resources

Your doctor can help you by recommending nutritionists, internists and other professionals to help you protect your heart. Some people don’t know enough about nutrition to choose better foods. Or, they don’t know how to get started with exercise. Your doctor has resources to lead you in the right direction. After a complete physical, they can also tell you what type of exercise is right for you.

Your doctor works with you to protect your heart. If you have questions, ask. The important thing is to go and see a doctor to get the ball rolling. Participate in your own heart health.

Conclusion

The only person who can help you reduce your risk of heart disease is yourself. Fortunately today, the medical and research professions have made incredible finding about heart disease,  risk factors and how to prevent yourself from getting heart disease. Yes, some heart disease is genetic but even genetics can benefit from good preventive efforts.

The earlier you start preventing heart disease, the better.  Parents can start reducing children’s risk by helping them make good choices, not starting habits that are harmful later in  life and encouraging an active lifestyle. Adults can make good eating choices, exercise daily and seek medical care and attention.  Heart disease does not need to be either an inevitable part of getting old (as it seems these days) and it is certainly not something you can’t do anything about.

Make good food choices. Get up and move around. Live an active life. Be happy! While we can’t promise anyone will live to a hundred, preventative measures and good choices will help you live a happy and healthy life.