Here at NWA Health Solutions, we value preventative care. It is important for all of our readers to understand the importance of preventative care and taking the right steps toward a healthier heart. Heart disease is the No. 1 killer worldwide, with stroke ranking second. Even when those conditions don’t result in death they can cause disability and diminish the quality of life. Heart disease can be prevented by making heart-healthy choices, knowing your family health history, being aware of the risk factors, having regular check-ups and working with your physician to manage your health.

Understand Your Risks to Prevent a Heart Disease or Stroke

Knowledge is power. Take the time to educate yourself on heart and stroke risk factors. The American Heart Association recommends focusing on heart disease prevention early in life.  The sooner you can identify your risk factors the sooner you can start managing them.  By learning your risk factors and managing them you have a better chance of living a healthy life and lowering your risk of heart disease or stroke.

Major Risk Factors that you can Modify:

1. High cholesterol
2. High blood pressure
3. Obesity and being overweight
4. Diabetes
5. Atrial fibrillation
6. Stress
7. Tobacco Use: Smokers are at a higher risk than non-smokers
8. Alcohol consumption: Drinking too much can raise blood pressure.  If you drink, drink in moderation.

Prevention:

A heart attack or stroke can happen at any age. It is never too early to start living a healthier lifestyle. The first step is assessing your risk factors and the second step is managing your risk factors.   An active lifestyle and a healthy diet can be very helpful in prevention.

1. If you smoke, stop
2. Manage your blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, and atrial fibrillation with your primary care physician
3.  Good nutrition
4. Physical activity

Did You Know?

Recent studies have shown that massage therapy and acupuncture can help lower certain risk factors for heart disease and stroke.  A consistent massage program can decrease diastolic and systolic blood pressure and lower sources of depression and anxiety. Massage therapy is a safe, effective way to help control blood pressure. It can be used in health care centers and even at home.

With its capacity to regulate blood pressure acupuncture can also reduce the stress response that may increase blood pressure. Acupuncture can effectively treat elevated blood pressure due to increased vascular stiffness and constriction by working through the central nervous system to relax blood vessels. Acupuncture can also help stabilize blood sugar by correcting endocrine system imbalances.

NWA Health Solutions is proud to offer both massage therapy and acupuncture in our office. We are committed to providing our community with the best healthcare options.