Heart health and proper function circulate millions of gallons of blood to the entire body. The circulation moves:
Oxygen
Fuel
Hormones
Essential cells
Other compounds
Removes metabolic waste products
If the heart stops, vital functions can fail almost instantly. Family history and genetics play a role in the development of heart disease, but lifestyle choices also play a part. Heart health disease prevention focuses on:
Chiropractic treatment can help improve overall heart health.
Heart Health
If every nerve was disconnected, the heart would continue to beat. There is a small node of the heart muscle that rhythmically contracts and relaxes inherently, and sets the heartbeat pace. It can be thought of as a natural pacemaker and is called the sinoatrial node.
In an average adult, the node maintains a rhythm of around 70 beats per minute. This natural pacemaker keeps the heart working, while the nerves that accelerate and decelerate (the sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves) can affect the sinoatrial node affecting the heartbeat.
Sympathetic and Parasympathetic Nerves
The sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves are located in the thoracic and upper cervical spine. With chiropractic, any spinal misalignments, pressure, stress, and restrictions are properly addressed, and able to normalize the cardiac rhythm and heart rate. Corrective treatment of the cervical spine will also help lower blood pressure and remove any stress on the cardiovascular system. Heart and spinal health are vital, contact a local chiropractor today.
Healthy Body Composition
Aerobic Training Strengthens The Heart
Aerobic exercise will strengthen the heart, as well as, train the heart to be more efficient in circulating blood. The chamber of the heart that pumps blood to the rest of the body literally gets larger and squeezes out more blood with each pump, meaning the stroke volume gets increased.
This improves cardiac output, which is the quantity of blood pumped by the heart per minute. A strong, efficient heart is the objective to live a long and healthy life. When the heart is stronger and pumps more blood it doesn�t have to beat as much and as rapidly. Lowering the resting heart rate is associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease.
Cardiac adaptations are helped with an increase in blood volume that happens with aerobic exercise training. What happens is the expanded blood volume improves the heart�s contractility/fill capacity pumping more blood per beat. The heart contracts to move blood throughout the body. By making it stronger and more efficient, the heart�s responsibilities are lightened by decreasing the different types of resistance.
Dr. Alex Jimenez�s Blog Post Disclaimer
The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, and sensitive health issues and/or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate and support directly or indirectly our clinical scope of practice.*
Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We also make copies of supporting research studies available to the board and or the public upon request. We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation as to how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900. The provider(s) Licensed in Texas& New Mexico*
References
Yang, Jian et al. �Physical Exercise Is a Potential “Medicine” for Atherosclerosis.��Advances in experimental medicine and biology�vol. 999 (2017): 269-286. doi:10.1007/978-981-10-4307-9_15
The heart never stops working. The efficiency of the heart and how it operates depends on various factors related to individual health. High blood pressure management can include chiropractic treatment for proper spinal alignment. This promotes improved nervous system function, regulation, and optimal blood flow throughout the body.
High blood pressure is also known as hypertension, often it has no symptoms, and if left untreated, it could lead to heart conditions like heart disease and stroke. Blood pressure is the force the heart exerts on the arteries each time it contracts and relaxes. It is measured with a blood pressure cuff or monitor.
Normal is around 120/80 mmHg
A blood pressure reading of 130/90 mmHg or more, is categorized as high blood pressure.
High blood pressure
Any type of heart condition can place added strain on the body and can lead to poor quality of life, disease, and be fatal. When the body’s ability to pump the proper amount of blood gets compromised the body suffers from a lack of oxygenated blood. These issues can go undiagnosed for years. Often high blood pressure does not get associated with any specific symptoms other than general poor health. When left untreated, high blood pressure can lead to issues like:
Heart attack
Stroke
Kidney disease
Dementia
Prevention and regular monitoring are crucial for staying on top of any potential heart issues.
Heart conditions
Different heart conditions can cause pain in the chest, upper back, and shoulder(s):
Angina is when the heart muscle does not get enough blood causing chest pain.
A heart attack occurs when there is reduced or complete loss of blood supply from the blockage of an artery.
Pericarditisis the inflammation of the thin layers that surround the heart.
Heart conditions are commonly associated with chest pain but remember that chest pain is not always present or severe. Pain-related to the heart can also be felt in other areas, like the shoulder or upper back.
Risk factors
Risk factors associated with high blood pressure include:
An unhealthy diet high full of processed foods, sugar, and salt
The most common treatment for high blood pressure is medication. However, this does not address the root cause of the issue in relation to individual lifestyle and underlying imbalances of the body that include the spine.
Lifestyle
Lifestyle adjustments should be the first line of defense for managing, and reversing heart health issues. High blood pressure management includes:
Focus on nutrition
Exercise
Stress management
Chiropractic
Chiropractic is a specialized approach that focuses on identifying and addressing the root cause of musculoskeletal health issues and optimized organ function through restored impaired nerve function. Spinal misalignment can cause nerve signals to be impaired/damaged which can affect the heart and overall health.
A chiropractic physician can help reduce the strain on the body�s functions by restoring nerve function/energy/blood flow with spinal adjustments that bring the body back into proper alignment. One primary cause of high blood pressure is over-activation of the autonomic nervous system, which regulates the stress response.
When spinal alignment is achieved, there is improved regulation to prevent unnecessary spikes in stress affecting body homeostasis and organ function. Chiropractic can help an individual achieve the best possible heart health. Once the diagnosis is found, an effective customized treatment plan will be developed.
Chiropractor Near Me
Dr. Alex Jimenez�s Blog Post Disclaimer
The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, and sensitive health issues and/or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate and support directly or indirectly our clinical scope of practice.*
Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We also make copies of supporting research studies available to the board and or the public upon request. We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation as to how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900. The provider(s) Licensed in Texas& New Mexico*
References
Win, Ni Ni et al. �Effects of Upper and Lower Cervical Spinal Manipulative Therapy on Blood Pressure and Heart Rate Variability in Volunteers and Patients With Neck Pain: A Randomized Controlled, Cross-Over, Preliminary Study.��Journal of chiropractic medicine�vol. 14,1 (2015): 1-9. doi:10.1016/j.jcm.2014.12.005
Research has found about 35% of Americans experience symptoms of a warning stroke. However, only 3% seek out immediate medical attention. A stroke occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is blocked or reduced, which deprives brain tissue of oxygen and nutrients. Within minutes, brain cells start to die.
Adults who have had a sign of a�temporary blockage aka, a Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)waited/rested until symptoms had subsided instead of calling 911. This is according to the research from the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association (AHA/ASA).
Only a formal medical diagnosis with brain imaging can determine whether someone is having a TIA or stroke. If you or someone experiences warning signs that come on suddenly or go away,�CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY!
Stroke: Early Signs
Ischemic strokes occur when a clot blocks blood flow to the brain.
This type may be treated immediately with a special clot-busting drug
A device called a stent retriever may also be used to remove the clot and help prevent long-term disability.
TIA precedes about 15% of strokes
People who have had TIA are at greater risk for stroke within three months
Use The Acronym F.A.S.T. To Help Remember Common Signs:
�
Face Drooping
Arm Weakness
Speech Difficulty
Time To Call 911
Other Warnings Signs:
Confusion
Dizziness
Loss Of Balance/Coordination
Numbness Or Weakness Of Face, Arm or Leg, Particularly On One Side Of The Body
Trouble Speaking Or Understanding
Trouble Walking
Unexplained Severe Headache
Vision Loss In One Or Both Eyes
Injury Medical Clinic: Stress Management Care & Treatments
Doctor of Chiropractic, Dr. Alexander Jimenez investigates the mediterranean diet, and what it can do for people taking statins for heart attacks and strokes.
Q: How Does The Mediterranean Diet Stack Up Against Statins In Preventing Heart Attacks & Strokes?
A: Research suggests that the Mediterranean diet and statins can be effective in helping to lower the risk of potentially fatal complications of heart disease. But there has been no published scientific research in which a large number of people were given either statins or a Mediterranean-style diet at random and then followed carefully to see what became of their heart health.
As Rosemary Stanton, nutritionist and visiting fellow at the School of Medicinal Sciences, University of New South Wales, explains in an article posted by The Conversation, “Such a trial is unlikely to occur, as withholding medication from people at risk of heart attack or stroke would be regarded as unethical.”
But there is evidence that both approaches are helpful and that the optimal choice, at least for those at high risk of cardiovascular disease, would be a combination of diet and statins. Research also suggests that, for people at lower risk, lifestyle measures like the Mediterranean diet could be sufficient.
Traditionally, the Mediterranean diet includes lots of fruit, nuts, vegetables, cereals and oil from olives; a moderate intake of fish and poultry; a low intake of dairy products, red meat, processed meats and sweets; and — taken with meals — wine in moderation. (Researchers tested two versions, one with lots of olive oil and the other with lots of oil from nuts.)
“I don’t view these things as either-or,” said Dr. Meir Stampfer, a professor of epidemiology and nutrition at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. “My advice is to start with the Mediterranean diet because it’s good for you in multiple ways — lowering risk of cognitive decline, reduction in some cancers, lower risk of diabetes — that go beyond what statins do.”
If Cholesterol Numbers Remain High Despite A Healthy Diet, Statins Or Other Medical Treatments Can Be Added
In 2009, Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes, a journal of the American Heart Association, reported research that showed statin therapy resulting in a 44 percent reduction in heart disease-related problems including heart attacks, strokes and deaths. (The study can be downloaded at bit.ly/2lX1tuF.)
In 2013, a large and rigorous study published by The New England Journal of Medicine found that switching to a Mediterranean diet prevented about 30 percent of heart attacks, strokes and deaths from heart disease in people at high risk. That study, which looked at two versions of the diet, can be found at bit.ly/2np3VY2.
Statin takers often wrongly think they don’t have to worry about diet and exercise.
“Quantitatively, you get more mileage from optimal exercise and diet than statins, so it’s not one or the other,” Stampfer said. “Everybody needs the diet and exercise, and some people, despite that, will still need statins. It’s not a failure; it’s not a character flaw — if you need it, you need it.”
The bottom line is that the Mediterranean diet helps even if one is taking statins and, along with other potential benefits, might help avoid the need for statins altogether.
While there’s scant evidence that herbal medications are safe or effective to treat heart conditions, they remain popular among people with heart disease, a new review suggests.
“Physicians should improve their knowledge of herbal medications in order to adequately weigh the clinical implications related to their use,” said senior review author Dr. Graziano Onder.
Onder, of the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart in Rome, Italy, is an assistant professor in the department of geriatrics, neurosciences and orthopedics.
Physicians Should Explain That Natural Does Not Always Mean Safe
Onder�said in a news release from the American College of Cardiology.
In the United States, herbal medications can be sold without being tested in clinical trials. As a result, there’s little evidence of their safety or effectiveness, the review authors explained.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration can only determine that an herbal medication is unsafe after it has already hurt someone. However, this hasn’t stopped many people with heart disease from taking herbal treatments to improve their heart health, the researchers said.
To explore the issue, the investigators looked at 42 herbal medications that have been identified as a possible treatment for one or more heart conditions, including high blood pressure, heart failure and hardening of the arteries.
Onder’s team found there isn’t enough evidence to determine if herbal remedies are causing potential complications.
Many people don’t tell their doctor they are taking herbal medications, probably because they don’t view these as treatments that could cause serious side effects, the study authors said.
Complicating matters even further, many people taking herbal medications don’t follow through on their treatment plan and fail to take the medication prescribed by their doctor properly, the findings showed.
Doctors Should Talk To Their Patients About Potential Risks Of Using Herbal Medications
researchers concluded.
“Communicating with the patient is a crucial component of the process,” Onder said. “The pros and cons of specific herbal medications should be explained and their risk-benefit profile properly discussed.”
The review was published Feb. 27 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
SOURCE: American College of Cardiology, news release, Feb. 27, 2017
News stories are written and provided by HealthDay and do not reflect federal policy, the views of MedlinePlus, the National Library of Medicine, the National Institutes of Health, or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
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