Decrease your risk for hypertension by adopting healthy lifestyle

Modifiable lifestyle factors (e.g., maintaining normal weight, exercising regularly) are associated with lower risk for many diseases, including heart disease and hypertension. While several modifiable risk factors have been identified, their combined risk and distribution in the population have not been assessed. Now, the latest research studies groups have explored these relations in detail.
Researchers followed 84,000 female nurses (mean age at entry, 36; mean follow-up, 14 years) biennially to evaluate the effects of six lifestyle factors (body-mass index, exercise, adherence to an antihypertensive diet, alcohol intake, use of non-narcotic analgesics, and supplemental intake of folic acid) on risk for new-onset hypertension. Overall, 12,000 participants (15%) developed hypertension. All 6 modifiable risk factors were independently associated with the risk of developing hypertension during follow-up after adjusting for age, race, family history of hypertension, smoking status, and use of oral contraceptives. The relation between each risk factor and likelihood of developing hypertension was statistically significant with obesity (BMI greater than 25) risk for hypertension was almost 5-fold higher in obese women than in women with normal BMI (less than 25).

Comment:
The study shows that new onset of hypertension in women can be prevented by adopting low-risk dietary and lifestyle factors. How much evidence do we need to shift the medical communities focus from treatment to prevention?
-Dr. Abida Wali, N.D.

Forman JP et al. Diet and lifestyle risk factors associated with incident hypertension in women. JAMA 2009 Jul 22/29; 302:401.
Medline abstract (Free)

Our Health Program is a great place to start
At Ocean Pacific Integrative Health Center, we celebrate every person’s uniqueness by providing personalized Health Plans. Our individualized Health plans includes: comprehensive review of your overall state of health, physical exam, labs and our therapeutic lifestyle program called FirstLine Therapy (FLT).

FLT is not just a program, it is a lifestyle for reversing and preventing chronic disease. With FirstLine Therapy, you'll learn simple things you can do every day to take control of your health—such as diet, exercise, stress management, and appropriate nutritional supplementation.

• To learn more about the Program, go toFLT.
• Call us at 760-944-9300 for our special package rate and we can help you choose a Health Plan that is most appropriate for you.
• To find out about other risk factors for heart disease, go to Heart Health.
• Not sure which plans is right for you, schedule a complimentary consult with one of our naturopathic doctors.

If you have questions, don't hesitate to us at 760-944-9300 or visit us at http://opintegrativecenter.com. We're here to help support you on your path to wellness.

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Heart disease is more than high cholesterol

Heart disease is more than high Cholesterol

A new national study published in the January issue of American Heart Journal has shown that nearly 50 percent of patients hospitalized for a heart attack had “normal” cholesterol levels. Evaluating your risk for heart disease measured by routine cholesterol test may not be enough.

You may be at risk for heart disease if you have:

o Triglycerides greater than 150
o HDL lower than 40
o LDL greater than 130
o Total Cholesterol greater than 200
o A family history of heart disease or cardiac events
o Diabetes or family history of diabetes
o High blood pressure
o Thyroid problems
o Abdominal obesity

The routine cholesterol test only reports 4 lipid components. However, a more comprehensive test called the VAP® (Vertical Auto Profile) panel that more accurately measures LDL (Bad Cholesterol) and provides measurements for 15 lipid components should be used. VAP® Tests also help identify early detection of the metabolic syndrome which leads to diabetes and heart disease.

Comparison of the VAP test and Routine cholesterol test is summarized below:

Cholesterol Measurements VAP Test Routine Test
LDL Direct Measurement Calculated
HDL included included
Triglycerides included included
Total Cholesterol included included
VLDL included
Non-HDL included
apB100 included
Lp(a) included
IDL included
LDL-R included
LDL-R Subclass Pattern included
Remnant Lipoproteins included
Metabolic Syndrome included
HDL2 included
HDL1 included

The VAP test breaks down cholesterol beyond HDL (high-density lipoprotein, the "good" cholesterol), LDL (low-density lipoprotein, the "bad" cholesterol), and triglycerides and provides new information that can help better assess and treat your heart disease risk. Risks of both Heart Disease and Diabetes can be reduced with the right preventative treatments, which is why more accurate diagnosis is critical.

In addition to The VAP® Test, other diagnostic tests that aid in the early identification and treatment of heart disease include:

• hsCRP: High sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hsCRP) is a general marker of inflammation and has been recognized for its ability to predict future coronary events in apparently healthy individuals.

• Homocysteine: Homocysteine is an amino acid needed for normal health. However, at high levels homocysteine is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease.

Once your risk factor(s) has been identified based on your VAP results and other risk factors according to National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treament Panel- III Report (ATP-III), natural and/or pharmaceutical treatments can be used to lower your risk factors. Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes (TLC) that includes diet, weight management, and increased physical activity is the first therapeutic modality list in the ATP-III guideline for the proper management of cholesterol and cholesterol components. TLC and other natural treatments to reduce cholesterol and other risk factors associated for developing hear disease are summarized below:

• Lifestyle changes that focus on stress reduction, smoking cessation and weight management.
• Exercise: At a minimum 45-50 minutes of Cardio with Target Heart rate of 60% to 80% of maximum heart rate.
• Diet:
• Adopt a Mediterranean Style diet
• Decrease consumption of saturated and trans-fats to <7% style="color: rgb(204, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;" href="http://opintegrativecenter.com/">http://opintegrativecenter.com.

Links of Interest:
1- www.nhlbi.nih.gov/guidelines/cholesterol/index.htm
2- www.atherotech.com
3- www.thevaptest.com