However, many patients don’t exactly know the best strategies to use. When it comes to losing weight, developing an exercise program, reducing blood sugar, lowering cholesterol and blood pressure, patients can often fail without a lot of additional education and support. This is where the naturopathic approach to heart health excels.
Treating the whole person, not just the heart
Naturopathic medicine looks at the whole person – not just the disease, but also the underlying physical, social, psychological and environmental causes. We don’t treat symptoms – we treat people. This holistic approach to treatment allows us to offer patients real strategies to reduce their risk factors for cardiovascular problems. Instead of just telling you to “eat better and exercise”, we show you how. Instead of just telling you to reduce your stress, we discuss strategies to help you relax and improve your quality of life.
Cardiovascular problems that naturopathic doctors can treat:
High blood pressure (hypertension)
High cholesterol
High triglycerides
Cardiovascular disease
Education is key to heart health
Education is a key component to our work with patients. We educate ourselves all about you, and then we help you learn what you can do to control your own health. Each patient is unique and there is never a “one-size-fits-all” solution. Our recommendations are customized to each patient’s specific needs, lifestyle and challenges. But, that being said, there are a few things we will look at first when it comes to your heart health.
First, we will analyze your diet and activity level. The American grocery store presents many challenges for the average consumer. Labels like “all natural” can make a food seem healthy when it is anything but. Every grocery store section is riddled with processed food options. Busy lifestyles make it harder to cook whole foods.
Exercise is another area where people can get on the wrong track. You may think you should run 5 miles a day to be truly fit, and then give up altogether because you can’t sustain that activity level.
Effective Nutritional Supplements
In addition to diet, exercise, and lifestyle changes, there are many specific nutritional supplements or herbal medicines that can be beneficial for heart health. These supplements can help reduce the side-effects of your current medication, and can help you reach your heart health goals. I only prescribe therapies that are safe, gentle, and non-toxic.
Collaboration with your cardiologist
Choosing a naturopathic doctor to help you prevent and treat cardiovascular problems doesn’t have to be an “all or nothing” decision. Naturopathic doctors are happy to collaborate with cardiologists and primary care physicians to provide a comprehensive, integrative plan for a patient’s heart health.
If you would like to improve your heart health using a natural approach to diet, exercise and lifestyle, contact me today for a free 5-minute consultation.