Tips for Preventing Heart Disease: Dr. Kimberly Landino offers easy tips to prevent heart attacks, stroke, high cholesterol and high blood pressure
Jan 31, 2014 09:01AM ● By Dr. Kimberly Landino
Treatments vary for all cardiac-related ailments, but it is best to prevent heart attacks, stroke, high cholesterol and high blood pressure from occurring at all. Here are a few pointers that will help.
The heart and circulatory system function best when the body is calm and has no inflammation, there is optimum body weight, and food and drink choices are ideal to provide the needed nutrients. Supplementation with vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids is also recommended, such as multivitamins, fish oil high in EPA and DHA, minerals such as magnesium and herbs such as hawthorn, elderberry and night-blooming cactus.
Stressors are always present in life, but it’s how we manage the stress that counts. Getting good quality sleep, moving the body via exercise, getting a massage or acupuncture, laughing, having positive thoughts, napping, gazing at the clouds/moon/stars and spending fun time with family and friends all help to keep the mind and heart happy.
If there is excess abdominal fat, the excess weight can raise cholesterol levels. Shedding the weight will help prevent heart disease. Choosing foods such as whole grains (not instant) that need to be cooked, vegetables and fruits, lean meats, olive oil, nuts, dark chocolate and green tea, while drinking adequate water and avoiding white sugar, excess alcohol, sodas, hydrogenated fats, fast food and processed food will keep the body and heart healthy.
When bodies are under stress due to a poor diet, being overweight or suffering from allergies or injury, the immune system responds and the body becomes inflamed. When the body is under constant inflammation, heart disease may then result. Antioxidants such as vitamins C and E, and CoQ10 help the body maintain healthy cholesterol levels, healthy blood pressure and prevent heart disease.
If the body does not get adequate, restful sleep, then inflammation ensues and stress hormone levels increase. Low or high hormone and neurotransmitter levels can be tested and treated appropriately.
Green and pink are beneficial colors for the heart. Guided imagery using these colors over the heart can be practiced. The essential oils rose and eucalyptus and rose quartz crystals are also great for the heart. Live life with spirit and connect always to the Earth to stay grounded.
If the heart feels gratitude, a sense of peace follows that is good for heart health. Start a gratitude journal and write down five things that happened throughout the day to be grateful about. Or, simply state out loud, “Thank you.” Letting go of circumstances that no longer serve us is always good. If you don’t know how to start the process, then simply be open to the possibility of forgiveness.
Kimberly Landino, ND, practices at the Harmonic Healing Center, located at 2226 S. Rural Rd., in Tempe. Contact her at 480-921-9530 or DrKimberlyLandino.com.
