Heart Health and Balanced Hormones: The Love Connection

According to the American Heart Association (AMA), heart disease claims the lives of 800,000 (1 out of every 5) Americans each year and is projected to cost the U.S. $503.2 billion in 2010 – a 6% increase from 2009. Contributing factors such as diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure and cholesterol are running rampant in our country and to top it all off, the majority of us aren’t doing anything to fix it. As nutrition plummets to an all-time low, sedentary lifestyles are skyrocketing. In light of American Heart Month, BodyLogicMD’s bioidentical hormone doctors are encouraging women and men to make proactive health decisions and take preventive steps towards optimal cardiovascular health.

Here are some proactive steps you can take to significantly reduce your risk of heart disease, cardiovascular disease and improve your overall quality of life:

• Balance your hormones with bioidentical hormone therapy – Hormonal imbalance has widespread effects throughout the body. In women, estrogen and progesterone deficiencies resulting from perimenopause and menopause, can raise blood cholesterol levels and can lead to a condition known as atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). In men, it’s common for chronic stress to increase the production of cortisol and oftentimes leads to the onset of metabolic syndrome - a set of conditions that occur comorbidly, raising one’s risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Bioidentical hormones can replace the hormones that your body should be producing naturally, significantly reducing cardiovascular risk.
• Stop smoking – I think we can all agree that smoking is bad for us – no matter who you are. Smoking has been the number one cause of cardiovascular disease for decades. No risk factor is more prevalent. Nicotine constricts blood flow within the arteries, raising blood pressure and oftentimes leading to atherosclerosis and hypertension. Carbon monoxide inhalation is also dangerous because it depletes the body’s cells of oxygen and when combined with nicotine can increase the risk for blood clots and arterial clogging.
• Eat your fruits and vegetables – Experts say that only 3% of Americans consume the recommended daily servings of fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables are rich in heart-healthy antioxidants, essential vitamins and minerals, and have also been found to be a great source of natural proteins and dietary fiber.
• Regular exercise – In addition to everything fitness does for our bodies on the outside, it’s often what we don’t see happening on the inside that has the greatest impact on our overall health and wellness. Cardiovascular activity aids in healthy circulation and prevents the build-up of plague along the arterial walls. Extensive research into the benefits of regular exercise has concluded that fitness can stabilize blood sugar and cholesterol levels, regulate blood pressure and significantly reduce the risk of heart disease and CVD.
• Stress reduction – Incorporating stress reduction techniques such as deep breathing exercise, meditation or yoga into your daily routine can help normalize cortisol levels within the bloodstream. Cortisol has been nicknamed the “stress hormone,” because the adrenal glands release it in response to heightened stress and anxiety. Being that many of us live stressful lives, it’s common for cortisol to be produced in high quantities, often leading to a condition where the adrenals become “exhausted,” known as adrenal fatigue. The affects of high cortisol levels include, weight gain, fatigue, low libido, irritability, depression and anxiety. Excess cortisol can often lead to metabolic syndrome, significantly increasing one’s risk of heart disease.

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To get started, leave us your information and we will contact you to find out exactly how we can help. We order the initial labs you’ll need for your first visit and we’ll schedule the appointment with your new BodyLogicMD physician. Before your visit you’ll spend time on our website completing a thorough questionnaire in the convenience of your home.

 

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At your hour-long initial consultation, your BodyLogicMD physician will meet with you personally to discuss your symptoms, review your results and talk through the appropriate treatment to meet your individualized needs. Our highly experienced physicians undergo hundreds of hours of training in bioidentical hormones and have helped thousands of women and men suffering the symptoms of hormone imbalance.

 

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Finally, if necessary, your BodyLogicMD physician will prescribe the customized compounded bioidentical hormones and other pharmacy-grade supplements for your personalized program. The compounding pharmacy will contact you and send these directly to your home or office as you request.