Connecting with Your Heart Health, Inside and Out.

Update on February, 2025 

As we celebrate American Heart Month in February, it's fitting to reflect on the heart's dual role as both a physical organ and a symbol of love and connection. Recognized worldwide as the spiritual center, the heart also confronts us with serious health challenges, being the leading cause of death in the US for years. In this blog, we explore how to assess and maintain heart health effectively.

Understanding Heart Health

Heart disease, often termed the "silent killer," primarily stems from atherosclerosis, the buildup of plaque in the blood vessels. It's crucial to understand both visible and underlying indicators of heart health:

• Symptoms to Watch: Increased fatigue, reduced stamina, chest or back pain, and numbness in extremities can indicate heart stress.

• Blood Tests and Scans:

• High-sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP): Measures inflammation in the blood vessels, which can be elevated by factors like refined carbohydrates.

• Cholesterol Levels: Monitoring both LDL (low-density lipoprotein) and HDL (high-density lipoprotein) is essential. Not all LDL is harmful; the size and oxidation state of LDL particles (small and dense or oxidized LDL) can influence their impact on the vascular system.

• Heart Scan (Coronary Calcium Scan): A high-speed CT scan that identifies calcified plaque in the coronary arteries, providing a predictive measure of heart disease risk.

Take Action: 6 Ways to Protect Your Heart

Empower yourself with these actionable steps to safeguard your heart health:

1. Eat a Heart-Healthy Diet: Emphasize anti-inflammatory foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, seeds, and fish. Consider supplements such as *Choleast 900 (red yeast rice) for healthy cholesterol and blood pressure, and Omega Benefit (Omega-3s) for heart health. Limit processed foods, sugary drinks, refined carbohydrates, grain-fed red meat, dairy, and sugar.

2. Get Active: Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate or 75 minutes of vigorous activity each week.

3. Know Your Numbers: Regular check-ups to monitor hsCRP, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels.

4. Quit Smoking, Vaping and Limit Alcohol Consumption: Significantly reduce your risk of heart disease.

5. Emotional and Mental Well-being: Manage stress with relaxation techniques (meditation, yoga, deep breathing) and Magnesium Glycinate, which supports muscle function, reduces stress/anxiety, improves sleep, and boosts magnesium for cardiovascular health.

6. Community Connection: Connect with your community to support your heart health. Research shows social connection lowers heart disease risk, while isolation can increase it by up to 29%.

Comprehensive Health Support at The Morrison Center

At The Morrison Center, we use these advanced diagnostic tools combined with holistic approaches to comprehensively address heart health: 

• Heart healthy treatments: Our team of practitioners can help tailor a treatment plan to address individuals heart health needs. PlaqueX is IV Phosphatidyl Choline that can help improve healthy circulation.

• Regular Screenings and Nutrition: Our team, including nutritionists Stephanie, Robin, and Melissa, can develop personalized meal plans tailored to your needs.

• Mind-Body Wellness Services: Experience personalized Reiki with Sarah and Vicki, find inner peace in our Singing Bowl sessions, or learn self-regulation and stress reduction with Stephanie's HeartMath sessions.

Your heart deserves ongoing care and attention. This February, and throughout the year, let’s work together at The Morrison Center to nurture and protect your heart health, inside and out. ❤️

* This product is available online for TMC patients only. If you are not a TMC patient and interested in learning more about it, please call the TMC office at 212-989-9828.

These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to treat or cure any disease.