HEART DISEASE The 1st Leading Cause of Death in the United States
INTEGRATIVE HEALTH
Howard F. Loomis, Jr.
DC
The number one cause of death in the United States, according to government statistics, is heart disease. I have taken the position in this series of articles that, while practicing chiropractors may treat patients who may have chronic degenerative diseases, they are not responsible for diagnosis or treatment of those conditions. Nevertheless, they do see patients who have not yet been diagnosed with such a condition. That makes it possible for them to recognize the early warning signs of the body’s inability to maintain normal visceral function in an organ or organs that will eventually result in diagnosis of a disease.
We perform a great service for our patients when we recognize such a process in its early stages. While it is not possible to prove a negative (i.e., claim prevention of something that never happened), we can recognize early warning signs and symptoms and relate them to our case history and physical examination. The old axiom that “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” comes to mind in that regard. Serving in that capacity with our patients is one of the best ways to build confidence and trust in our patients, and inevitably leads to referrals.
Here is a partial list of possibilities you can easily include in your repertoire and routine office procedure. A good rule to keep in mind is “things happen between visits to your office.” Know when and why they do.
• Medications - It is imperative that you are aware of prescription and over-the-counter drugs the patient is taking and why. Also, ask them to tell you when and why they are changed. Next month, I am going to write about prescription-drug side effects.
• Blood pressure - Make blood pressure checks routine for every office visit. First, if you don’t, then your patients think you either don’t care or don’t know anything about blood pressure and its maintenance. Always know the patient’s pulse pressure. The difference between systolic and diastolic indicates the amount of stiffness occurring in the arch of the aorta. Patients 60 years old or older with a pulse pressure above 60 have increased occurrence of heart disease and intracranial pressure that indicates increased chance of stroke.
"In fact, many underlying visceral problems are responsible for causing and perpetuating structural problems and symptoms for which patients consult chiropractors."
Involuntary muscle contractions are associated with structural misalignments and sub luxation, as well as with visceral dysfunctions. In fact, many underlying visceral problems are responsible for causing and perpetuating structural problems and symptoms for which patients consult chiropractors. No other profession is trained to recognize the connections between the two that occurred in the third week of embryonic life. That makes you unique in the healthcare field. After all, it has long been in the realm of the practice of chiropractic to restore normal body functions and maintain health.
Heart Disease
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States and the leading cause of death worldwide. More than half of the deaths occur in men.
Heart disease is a term used to describe several conditions, many of which are related to plaque buildup in the walls of the arteries (increased pulse pressure). As the plaque builds up, the arteries lose elasticity, especially in the arch of the aorta, rendering it less capable of absorbing the increased pressure when the heart muscle contracts. Loss of elasticity occurs throughout the circulatory system, of course, and increased pressure is felt down through all the vessels. The smaller vessels are less likely to be able to expand, and this can impede blood flow. Interestingly, as vessels lose elasticity accumulations of plague begin to form at bifurcations with the body attempting to strengthen the artery wall against the increased pressure hitting this point. Obviously, this is how blockages form. Other types of heart problems include angina, arrhythmias, and heart failure.
At this point, I could begin to list the signs of a heart attack and the lifestyle changes that statistically increase the possibility of developing heart disease. This is called
the sympathetic alarm reaction. However, I believe we are better served by recognizing when the body has shifted into “fight-or-flight” syndrome.
The Body’s Stress Response
We understand this process is for emergencies. However, if the stress (structural, visceral, or emotional) is continuous and unrelenting, then the brain is constantly stimulating the sympathetic nervous system to compensate. This requires the organs/tissues to receive increased nutrition to respond, and they simultaneously produce increased metabolic waste. Eventually, they become exhausted and cannot respond appropriately. This is when the symptom pattern begins to gradually change.
The question then becomes: Can you recognize that shift? Can you determine the organ or tissue responsible? Most important, can you identify the cause?
Here is a summary of the physiological effects of the stress response:
1. The body increases blood glucose concentration for energy production.
2. There is increased mental activity, and the brain is a glucose “hog.”
3. There are increased rates of cellular metabolism throughout the body.
4. The heart increases the rate and force of contraction.
5. The body increases arterial blood pressure to deliver glucose.
• Blood flow is increased to active muscles where increased glycolysis occurs. This increases muscle strength.
• Blood flow is decreased to organs that are not needed for increased activity, such as the digestive and reproductive systems.
6. There is improved clotting of blood in the event of bleeding.
7. The liver reduces the flow of cholesterol into the bile, thus increasing its level in the blood.
This response is normal and required for acute emergencies. However, what if the response system fails because the tissues have become exhausted?
Where did it fail? Why did it fail? Recognizing when it does and why it did is the key to preventing not only heart disease, but also all chronic degenerative processes. I believe this is the essence of a general chiropractic practice—maintaining health and preventing disease.
The key to preventing death from heart disease is to protect the heart and know the warning signs and symptoms of a heart attack.
Protecting the heart
The following are the general guidelines that are now universally recognized as being effective for lowering blood pressure and cholesterol:
Protecting the heart
Lowering blood pressure and cholesterol can significantly lower heart disease risk. Several lifestyle and dietary modifications can dramatically reduce the risk of heart disease, including:
• Take steps to reduce stress levels or get help with stress management.
• Follow instructions to ensure safe use of medications and any OTC drugs.
• Eating a diet that is low in salt, refined sugars, total fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol, and high in fresh fruits and vegetables.
• Exercise regularly (at least 150 minutes a week).
• Avoid excessive intake of alcohol.
• Quit smoking.
Next month, I will write about observing the major side effects of prescription drugs that your patients may be taking. This formerly (before 2014) was the fourth leading cause of death in the United States but apparently is no longer reported by the government.
Howard F. Loomis, Jr., DC, has an extensive background in enzymes and enzyme supplements. He is the founder and president of the Food Enzyme Institute. His extensive knowledge of physiology, biochemistry, and enzymology has made him a sought-after speaker and a prolific writer. The Food Enzyme Institute offers seminars to healthcare practitioners around the country.
Dr. Loomis published ENZYMES: The Key to Health in 1999. He also coauthored and published The Enzyme Advantage: For Healthcare Providers and People Who Care About Their Health in 2015, and The Enzyme Advantage for Women in 2016, with respected medical journalist Arnold Mann.
Contact info: 6421 Enterprise Lane, Madison, WI 53719 customer service f foodenzymeinstitute. com, 800-662-2630.
