Heart HealthConversations with the Masters of Healing – FREE Teleseminar Intensive
I’m thrilled to announce the kick off of the inaugural teleseminar intensive – Conversations with the Masters of Healing – starting next month!
Conversations with the Masters of Healing is a rare opportunity for you to listen, learn, change your life, and speak to the most incredible practitioners of healthcare and healing. To register click here.
This complimentary Program will run from July 13 to August 3rd, 2010 and includes an absolutely INCREDIBLE line-up of the top names in prevention and wellness . . .
Lower CholesterolHDL Cholesterol – Are you concerned about levels being too high?
Lisa Nelson: Are you concerned by unusually high HDL levels, such as greater than 100 mg/dl?
Dr. Shelby-Lane: The main function of HDL is to help soak up excess cholesterol from the walls of blood vessels and carry it to the liver, where it breaks down and is removed from the body in the bile.
Measuring for particle size and particle number is the best way to tell if HDL cholesterol levels are safe/healthy. This involves testing and it is usually measured under the guidelines of an “expanded lipid profile.” The usual and optimal range for HDL is (40 for men and 50 for women).
Continue readingHeart HealthHeart Disease – Link between Temperament, Personality, and Heart Disease Risk
Lisa Nelson RD: What role does temperament/personality play in a person’s heart disease risk?
Dr. Shelby-Lane: Temperament and personality have a definite effect on blood pressure and on heart disease. This is a great question and it has been studied by the experts, as you will note in the following excerpts. Heart disease consists of congenital abnormalities, arrhythmias, lipid abnormalities acquired and congenital, functional and physiologic problems, risk factors such as diabetes and metabolic syndrome, structural disease and valvular problems, heart failure, acquired disease such as coronary artery disuse, and infectious diseases along with diseases related to blood vessel structure. Again, anxiety, stress, and stress related disorders can have an effect on major hormones, heart rate and heart health and heart disease. Nutritional abnormalities can also affect heart performance.
New research suggests that people who suffer from panic attacks are at increased risk of developing heart disease.
Why people who suffer from panic attacks should be at increased risk of developing heart disease is unclear. According to the study, authors put forward several theories, one being that panic disorders might trigger nervous system changes which could promote the clogging of arteries. Another theory is that people may have been misdiagnosed as having panic attacks when they actually have coronary heart disease. “Clinicians should be vigilant for this possibility when diagnosing and treating people presenting with symptoms of panic,” said Dr Walters.
Study results have shown that people with depression are at increased risk of heart attack and heart failure because they are less likely to be active.
Tired of changes that don't last?
Scientists have known for some years that people who are depressed are at increased risk of heart attack and other cardiac events, however the reason why this should be has remained unclear. However, according to results of a study by Mary A Wooley and colleagues, the increased risk is due to behavioral factors.
The researchers analyzed data obtained from 1,017 people with heart disease, 199 of which had symptoms of depression. Results showed that 10% of depressed participants had a cardiac event (e.g. heart attack, heart failure, stroke, transient ischemic attack) during the study period, compared to just 6.7% of non-depressed participants, meaning that depressed participants were 50% more likely to have a cardiac event. However, results also showed that depressed participants were more likely to smoke, were less likely to take their medications as prescribed, and were less physically active. After the researchers factored these behaviors into their calculations the risk of a cardiac event in depressed participants was similar to that in non-depressed participants.
All the best,
Lisa Nelson, RD
Lower CholesterolWould you like to ask Dr. Cynthia Shelby-Lane, heart health expert, a question?
Dr. Cynthia Shelby-Lane, MD
Well, now’s your chance! I will be interviewing Dr. Cynthia Shelby-Lane later this month. I want to ask the questions you want answers to. Submit your questions by commenting on this post below.
Here’s a little background information on Dr. Shelby-Lane. She’s known as the “agelessdoctor” with a private practice located in Detroit, Michigan – Elan Anti-Aging & Longevity Center of Michigan. After 23 years as an emergency room physician, her experience with life and death crises made her realize the limitations of traditional medicine. She became a board certified anti-aging specialist with a holistic approach to medicine, integrating traditional and complimentary strategies to treat and prevent disease. Dr. Shelby-Lane has recently expanded her practice to the internet and answers questions for patients around the world, providing alternative solutions and second opinions.
Dr. Shelby-Lane’s knowledge is extensive and has led to positions with numerous state and national medical boards, including two terms as President of the American Association of Women Emergency Physicians. Her areas of expertise include cardiovascular disease prevention, bio-identical hormone replacement therapy, detoxification, adrenal and thyroid disorders, weight management, memory and brain health, autoimmune disorders and fibromyalgia.
In a unique twist, Dr. Shelby-Lane not only graduated from the University of Michigan Medical School, but also the Second City Comedy School in Chicago. She’s a firm believer that laughter is good medicine and I have to agree. She’s produced her own comedy show titled “Laugh Attack: Stopping the # 1 Killer – Heart Disease” and delivers a powerful lecture called “Heart Sense & Humor”. You can join her live via satellite radio on February 4th as she discusses heart disease and her upcoming book release.
The list of Dr. Shelby-Lane’s accomplishments is endless (including being a guest on Oprah – more than once!). The above is just a quick synopsis of the ones I thought you’d find most interesting related to heart disease.
Make the most of Dr. Shelby-Lane’s generous offer to carve time out of her busy schedule to answer your questions.
Comment on this post to submit your questions.
This interview will be posted in February as a special feature to recognize “American Heart Month”. So, watch for the answers to your questions next month! Until then, I’d love to have you join the hundreds of people reading The Heart of Health ezine where I provide free heart health and weight loss tips. Subscribers also receive the free report “Stop Wasting Money – Take Control of Your Health” or the free course “How to Lower Cholesterol in 8 Simple Steps”.