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Slash Your Risk of Heart Failure By Doing These 7 Things

Should we start with the good news or the bad news? First, let’s get the bad out of the way. Despite advances in treatment for heart failure, death rates from the disease are steadily increasing. An estimated six million adults in the United States are currently living with the condition. Now, the good news. We know how to curb heart failure! You don’t have to be the one in five adults who develop the devastating disease. 

Understanding heart failure 

The heart is a muscle that pumps blood throughout the body. It is comprised of four chambers, two on the top and two on the bottom. The upper chambers, the atria, receive blood from the veins in the body. The lower chambers, the ventricles, pump blood out. Blood arrives from the body to the right atrium, flowing to the right ventricle. From there, it is sent to the lungs to gather oxygen. After visiting the lungs, the newly oxygenated blood comes back to the left atrium and ventricle, which gets pumped to the rest of the body.  

Congestive heart failure (CHF) occurs when the heart muscle becomes damaged or weakened over time. When someone is in heart failure, the heart may not be strong enough to pump blood around the body, or it may be too stiff to relax enough to accept all the blood back from the lungs.  

What types of heart failure exist? 

The average heart beats anywhere from 60-100 times per minute. Each time a healthy heart contracts, the left ventricle sends approximately 50-70 percent of the blood in the heart out to the rest of the body. This measurement, known as the ejection fraction, is one gauge of how well the heart is working. 

Lower ejection fractions indicate that the heat pump is not working as well as it should be and that heart failure may be to blame. There are a few different ways that the heart begins to fail:

  • Left-sided heart failure: The most common type of heart failure, left-sided heart failure occurs when the left ventricles cannot pump oxygenated blood to the body. Without oxygen, tissues and organs are unable to work as well and begin to fail. 

The most common causes of are high blood pressure and coronary artery disease. Other causes include diabetes, kidney disease, pericarditis, and heart valve disease. Left-sided heart failure can be divided further into two types:

  • Systolic failure: Systolic failure, or heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), occurs when the left side of the heart cannot squeeze enough. Simply put, the pump is not strong enough to circulate the blood through the body. 
  • Diastolic failure: Diastolic failure, or heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), occurs when the left side of the heart becomes stiff and does not relax enough to fill with blood adequately. The heart squeezes fine, but not enough blood enters the heart, which reduces the amount of blood sent to the rest of the body.
  • Right-sided heart failure: Right-sided heart failure is typically a result of left-sided failure, although it can also occur due to certain lung diseases. As blood begins to pool in the left side of the heart and the pulmonary artery, the right side has to work harder to move blood to the left side. 

How do I know if I have heart failure?

The most common presenting symptom of heart failure is breathlessness that occurs with minimal or no activity. It sometimes happens when lying down or at night. Other possible symptoms of include:

  • Unexpected weight gain
  • Extreme tiredness/exhaustion
  • New onset of cough or phlegm in throat
  • Weakness
  • Water retention
  • Swollen legs or feet
  • Nausea
  • Stomach fullness
  • Heart pounding/palpitations
  • Dizziness 

If your cardiologist suspects heart failure, other tests will be conducted. The most common diagnostic tool is an echocardiogram. 

How long can I live with heart failure?

Survival rates depend on many factors, including the severity of the disease, underlying cause, age, gender, and other comorbidities. However, on average, 50 percent of people can expect to survive five years after diagnosis. 

Can I recover from heart failure?

Heart failure is typically considered a life-long progressive condition, although there are some instances where it can be reversed. Identifying the root cause of heart failure is essential in formulating the best treatment plan. Even if you can’t fully recover from heart failure, lifestyle changes can slow the progress of the disease, improve your quality of life, and help you live longer. 

7 ways to reduce your risk of developing heart failure

Perhaps the most tragic thing about congestive heart failure is that it is highly preventable in most cases. The following seven tips will help to keep it at bay: 

Follow the 100 Year Heart Diet 

There are a lot of fad diets out there. But the best way to eat is by following the organic, 100 Year Heart Diet to protect your cardiovascular system. This diet encourages real, whole foods like vegetables, meat, eggs, fish, and occasional fruit. It excludes sugar, most grains, and processed foods, as these contribute to heart disease.

Following the 100 Year Heart Diet reduces weight and ensures that a wide variety of vitamins and minerals are delivered. More importantly, it lowers risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

Keep moving 

It’s no secret that exercise is good for the heart, but the preventative effects on heart failure are exceptional. A 2015 study of over 370,000 participants found that individuals who met the recommended levels of physical activity had 10 percent lower rates of heart failure than those who did not exercise at all. What’s more, those who exercised at four times the recommended rate reduced their risk of heart failure by a whopping 35 percent. 

Watch your stress 

Did you know that extreme stress, shock, or sadness can cause the heart to break? Takotsubo syndrome, or stress cardiomyopathy, occurs when a person suffers a sudden stressful event. It mimics a heart attack without the blockages or blood clots. Takotsubo syndrome proves that the heart muscle is highly susceptible to stress. 

Stress is one of the most significant risk factors for high blood pressure, and high blood pressure is the leading cause of heart failure. Therefore, it stands to reason that stress is a huge contributor to heart failure. Lower your stress levels through meditation, yoga, deep breathing, and eliminating things in your life that do not bring happiness.

Focus on quality sleep

Sleep is often the forgotten pillar of health, despite it being as essential for the heart as nutritious food and exercise. Sleep allows the body time to restore after a long day. Sleep is also critical for warding off heart failure. A 2020 study found that adults with the healthiest sleep patterns lowered their risk of heart failure by 42 percent compared to those with poor sleep hygiene. 

Aim for at least 8 hours of quality sleep each night. Ensure that your sleeping space is free of electronics, light, and distractions. Establish a relaxing sleep routine that you stick to nightly.

Don’t neglect time in the sun

Sunshine is more powerful than it’s given credit for, especially when it comes to health. In addition to boosting nitric oxide and Vitamin D supply in the body, it also helps to regulate “feel good” hormones in the brain. 

Sunshine might also be a protective factor. A recent study concluded that Vitamin D could prevent the heart from scarring after a heart attack, thus warding off heart failure. 

Spend time in the sun each day, whenever possible. Morning sunlight is best for regulating sleep hormones, while mid-afternoon sun is best for vitamin D production

Reduce exposure to toxins

Toxins are all around us. They lurk in the air we breathe, in the water we drink, and in the soil where we grow our food. Yet, while certain toxins are unavoidable, there is so much in our environment that we can control. 

Environmental pollutants have a significant impact on heart disease.  Studies have demonstrated the adverse effects of poor air quality on heart failure patients. 

As we spend most of our time at home, begin taking an inventory of the chemicals that reside under your roof. Start by eliminating toxic cleaning supplies, laundry detergents, and soaps. Then, consider changing out more significant items such as carpeting and mattresses. 

Spend time grounding to the earth

Most of us have experienced the zen-like feeling that comes with spending time outdoors. However, very few understand the healing value of physically touching the earth. Grounding, or earthing, is the practice of creating an electrical connection to the world under our feet. As our bodies have an electrical charge, the earth neutralizes those charges. 

Grounding has been shown to decrease inflammation, improve mood, and aid in circulation. A small 2018 study also shows promise for cardiovascular health. Hypertensive patients who grounded themselves regularly saw significant reductions in blood pressure.

Spend time each day connecting with the earth, whether lying in the grass or touching rocks or the dirt. Whenever possible, walk barefoot. 

Next steps

Some health conditions are more easily reversed than others. Heart failure typically causes permanent and irreversible damage to your heart. While a healthy lifestyle might slow the course, it’s hard to stop the progression of heart failure once it’s begun. The best cure for heart failure is prevention. Healthy choices today can prevent disease tomorrow. Contact us to get an expert NHD practitioner on your side who can help you create and stick with a plan to achieve your 100 Year Heart.

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Medical Review 2022: Dr. Lauren Lattanza NMD

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About Dr. Lauren Lattanza NMD, FACC

Dr. Lattanza Office Visit with Patient

Dr. Lauren Lattanza Fees

20 Minute Virtual Call: $250

Initial In-Person Appointment:

Follow Up In-Person Appointment:       

As a Naturopathic Physician, I am trained to treat the whole person and get to the root cause of disease.

I went to Arizona State University where I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a depth in physiology and minor in Spanish. After my undergraduate degree I was working on prerequisite classes towards medical school, which is when I came to learn that my values identified best with the principles of naturopathic medicine. I knew that I wanted to help patients identify the causes of disease and be able to offer treatments which would improve their health rather than simply treating symptoms.

I dedicated the next 4 years to the Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in Tempe, Arizona where I attained my Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine. I served as Class President all 4 years, Board of Trustees – Student Trustee, spoke as the Club President for our branch of Toastmasters, and was voted by my peers and attending physicians to earn the Outstanding Leadership Award for the Class of 2020. Throughout medical school I took it upon myself to work alongside MDs, DOs, chiropractors, and functional medicine practitioners in addition to naturopathic physicians.

As a Spanish speaking student, I was able to volunteer with community clinics around Phoenix and provide free healthcare to low-income families. Due to this combined exposure, I came to find my passion in treating cardiometabolic and digestive disorders that are all too common, yet largely preventable. I took the opportunity to learn the broad spectrum of healthcare so I can ensure that I am able to provide my patients with the best options.

About Dr. Jack Wolfson DO, FACC

Dr. Wolfson Office Visit with Patient

Dr. Jack Wolfson Fees

30 Minute Virtual Call: $1500

Initial In-Person Appointment:

Follow Up In-Person Appointment:       

Dr. Jack Wolfson is a board-certified cardiologist, Amazon best-selling author, husband, father, and the nation’s #1 Natural Heart Doctor.

For more than two decades, more than one million people have enjoyed the warmth, compassion, and transformational power of his natural heart health courses and events.

Dr. Wolfson is the founder of Natural Heart Doctor Scottsdale, his heart health practice in Arizona, and Natural Heart Doctor, an online resource center with natural health information. Doctors from across the globe reach out to Dr. Wolfson for training and education in holistic health practices.

He has been named one of America’s Top Functional Medicine Doctors and is a five-time winner of the Natural Choice Awards as a holistic M.D. Dr. Wolfson’s work has been covered by more than 100 media outlets, including NBC, CNN, and the Washington Post. His book “The Paleo Cardiologist: The Natural Way to Heart Health” was an Amazon #1 best-seller.

Dr. Wolfson and his wife Heather have four children and are committed to making the world a better place to live. They provide for those in need (including animals) and support natural health causes through their philanthropic efforts.

Chiropractic

Our chiropractor is an expert at adjustments and holistic chiropractic care and works closely in conjunction with the other health care experts at Natural Heart Doctor.

Call (480) 535-6844 for details and scheduling.

IV Therapy

We use specially formulated natural vitamins and minerals that are injected into a vein to prevent or treat dehydration. Ideal for people in Arizona.

Call (480) 535-6844 for details and scheduling.

Acupuncture

Stimulate your body’s natural healing abilities and promote physical and emotional well-being with acupuncture at Natural Heart Doctor.

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Health Coaching

Our health coaches use evidence based skillful conversation, clinical interventions, and strategies to engage you actively and safely in health behavior changes.

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Cardio Tests

We use the most advanced testing in the world to assess heart health and to identify the root cause of your health issues.

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Office Visits

Schedule an office visit with one of our cardiologists, holistic physicians, chiropractor, or health coaches.

Call (480) 535-6844 for details and scheduling.

Frequently Asked Questions

I’d like to receive an online second opinion from Natural Heart Doctor. What do I do next?

You can initiate a second opinion online through our website at any time. To begin, select the team member you’d like to speak with and open an account.

Click here for cardiologist Dr. Jack Wolfson.

Naturopathic Medical Doctor Dr. Lauren Lattanza. Get details.

Naturopathic Medical Doctor Dr. Tonia Rainier. Get details.

Click here for  Natural Heart Doctor Health Coach.

Alternatively, you can email health@naturalheartdoctor.com. A member of our care team will help guide you through the process of starting a second opinion.

What is the cost of a Natural Heart Doctor Online Second Opinion?

The cost for most second opinions varies by team member. This fee includes information collection, a phone or video consultation, a second opinion from a Natural Heart Doctor specialist and guidance throughout the process from your personal Care Team at Natural Heart Doctor.

Cardiologist Dr. Jack Wolfson’s Second Opinion Fee is $1500.

Holistic Physician’s Dr. Lauren Lattanza’s Second Opinion Fee is $250.

Naturopathic Physician Dr. Tonia Rainier’s Second Opinion Fee is $250.

Note: We apply the Online Second Opinion Call fee as a credit to any future consultations with Natural Heart Doctor, should you choose them.

Will my insurance cover the cost of a Natural Heart Doctor Online Second Opinion?

Most likely, no. Most health plans do not cover online second opinions or consultations. You are responsible for the cost of our second opinion. Natural Heart Doctor cannot file a claim with your insurance carrier, nor can we provide a procedure (CPT) code for this service.

What is the timeline to receive an online second opinion?

We do our best to schedule your second opinion as quickly as possible. Typically, it takes 5 to 7 business days after your information has been collected to receive your phone or video online second opinion.

What information do you need in advance of our call?

Our office will send you a short questionnaire to complete and return. We DO NOT need your complete medical records.

How many questions can I ask the expert during our call?

You may ask a maximum of five questions. This is to ensure that the expert has sufficient time to devote to each question. All questions must be finalized before your online meeting.

What should I expect to receive once my second opinion is complete?

You will receive a summary of our discussion along with our second opinion. The second opinion will be in written form. After you have reviewed the second opinion, a Natural Heart Doctor clinician will follow up with you by phone to address general medical questions about the information provided in the second opinion.

What if I have follow-up questions for the expert after I have reviewed my second opinion?

If you have a clarifying question about an expert’s response to one of the questions in your second opinion, and the Natural Heart Doctor clinician is unable to address it, then you may request a follow up session for an additional fee. 

Is my medical and payment information secure?

Natural Heart Doctor is strongly committed to protecting the privacy and security of all our patients. Our website meets all federal requirements for protecting personal health information under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). All financial transactions are processed by Natural Heart Doctor securely using industry standard payment processing tools.

I would rather visit Natural Heart Doctor for an in-person appointment. What should I do next?

If you would prefer an in-person appointment at Natural Heart Doctor instead of an online second opinion, please call (480) 535-6844 for details and scheduling.

Can I schedule a follow up appointment with the specialist who provided my online second opinion?

Yes, we’re happy to help you on an extended basis. Our clinician can discuss options with you when presenting our second opinion summary.