Category Archives: Heart Health

Stop Feeding the Flames of Inflammation

By David Blyweiss, M.D., Advanced Natural Wellness

October 16, 2017

Are salty foods giving you diabetes?
Here’s how easy it is to blow your daily sodium intake
It’s time to change your salty ways

One thing food makers are notorious for is adding copious amounts of salt to their products. In fact, the majority of salt in your diet – about 77% of it – doesn’t come from your salt shaker. It comes from processed, packaged and restaurant foods.

All of this hidden salt makes it very easy to greatly surpass the recommended 2,300 mg of daily sodium. And that amount is recommended only for the healthiest of people.

If you’re over 50, diabetic or have high blood pressure, current guidelines suggest sticking below 1,500 mg of sodium daily. This is the same amount I recommend for all of my patients, healthy or not. Continue reading →

4 Simple Steps to a Healthier Heart and Brain, Part 1

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By David Blyweiss, M.D., Advanced Natural Wellness

October 11, 2017

4 simple steps to prevent heart attack, stroke and cognitive decline
Lower blood pressure without dangerous prescription drugs
Targeting the real cause of plaque build up

A new presidential advisory from the American Heart Association (AHA)/American Stroke Association notes that the following steps can prevent heart attack, stroke and cognitive decline. The AHA has dubbed it “Life’s Simple 7” and it includes…

Managing blood pressure
Controlling cholesterol
Keeping blood sugar normal
Getting regular physical activity
Eating a healthy diet
Losing extra weight
Not smoking

While I agree with most of this advice, there is nothing “simple” about it. In fact, there is a lack of clarity in these recommendations that can lead even the most well intentioned person astray. So I’m going to dedicate this issue and this coming Friday’s issue to clearing up the confusion.

For example, does managing blood pressure means taking blood pressure lowering medication on a regular basis? What about cholesterol? Should you be taking a statin drug?

And just exactly what does “eating a healthy diet and getting more physical activity” really mean? Continue reading →

Drinking Coffee May Reduce Risk of Death

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By David Blyweiss, M.D., Advanced Natural Wellness

September 27, 2017

Drinking coffee may reduce risk of death (shuffle)
Good for your heart, brain and metabolism
What every “java-junkie” must know

Coffee gets a bad rap. Over the years it’s been blamed for everything from stunting your growth to causing heart disease and cancer. This makes it something of a “guilty pleasure” for those who can’t seem to get their day started without a cup or two each morning.

Well, drinking a few cups of hot coffee to get a jump on your day may not be so bad. In fact, it could potentially add a few years to your life. Continue reading →

Is Plant-Based Always Best?

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By David Blyweiss, M.D., Advanced Natural Wellness

September 18, 2017

Are plant-based omega-3 fatty acids the same as those that come from fish?
Here’s what flaxseed and Ahiflower® are missing
The best source of omega-3s on earth

One of the supplements I recommend everyone take… every single day… is omega-3 fatty acids. Your body doesn’t produce them on its own, and it can’t function without them. So these essential oils have to come from dietary sources.

But surprisingly, choosing an appropriate omega-3 supplement isn’t nearly as cut-and-dried as you might think.

Part of the confusion arises when plant-based products, like flaxseed oil, claim to provide omega-3 benefits. It sounds good in theory, especially if you’re a vegetarian. However, plant-based omega-3s are not interchangeable with those that come from fish oil. Continue reading →

The Statin Scam You Shouldn’t Fall For

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By David Blyweiss, M.D., Advanced Natural Wellness

June 19, 2017

Do you really need a statin drug?
Why cholesterol-lowering drugs are very scary medicine
My best tips to keep your cardiovascular system in top-notch condition

Yes, statin drugs really do decrease LDL cholesterol. But will they prevent a first time heart, stroke, or help you live longer?

To answer that question, let’s step backward in time.

Back in 2008 AstraZeneca, the company that makes the statin drug Crestor, published what they thought was a groundbreaking study. It was called the JUPITER trial. This stands for Justification for the Use of statins in Prevention: an Intervention Trial Evaluation Rosuvastatin.

For the very first time, people without existing heart disease took the drug. And the results were reportedly so phenomenal that the study was stopped two years early. (After all, it would be dishonorable to deprive so many people of this miraculous drug!)

Well, the study findings were widely reported in terms of relative risk. And when you hear numbers like “a 44% relative risk reduction of a cardiovascular event or death”, it’s easy to get excited. Continue reading →

Two Numbers More Important than Cholesterol

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By David Blyweiss, M.D., Advanced Natural Wellness

June 2, 2017

Two very important numbers missing from the “Know Your Numbers” campaign
Forget cholesterol. This is much more important.
The #1 heart test everyone should get

These days, television commercials for pharmaceuticals have literally trained people to “know their numbers”. And in many ways, this is a good thing.

More than ever, patients come into my office and recite their average blood pressure readings, cholesterol levels and triglyceride count. This data often gives me a starting point when discussing their health concerns.

On the other hand, I find that the media attention on specific “numbers” tends to distract people from others that are much more accurate when it comes to your heart health. Continue reading →

3 Common Meds that can Trigger a Heart Attack

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By David Blyweiss, M.D., Advanced Natural Wellness

April 10, 2017

Certain medications could trigger unexpected heart attack
Tame your pain without risky NSAID drugs
How safe are antacids and allergy meds?

Your LDL cholesterol is perfect. You exercise and eat well. Your blood pressure is just as happy and laid-back as you are.

WHAM! Suddenly it happens!

Your heart starts beating erratically and you feel disoriented. Maybe you experience a sharp pain in your chest, shoulder or back. You might even have a headache that abruptly seems to explode inside your head and trickle down into your body.

The next thing you know you’re rushed into an emergency room at the nearest hospital.

Continue reading →

Shocker: If You’re Not Eating these Foods, You’re at Risk

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By David Blyweiss, M.D., Advanced Natural Wellness

April 7, 2017

If you’re not eating these foods, you’re at risk of early death
Your most powerful weapon against the Grim Reaper
Eat for your life!

Here’s some startling news for you: Nearly half of all deaths from heart disease, stroke and diabetes here in the U.S. are associated with poor eating habits.

But it’s not just because folks are eating too much bad food. In many cases, they just aren’t getting enough healthy foods in their diet. Continue reading →

Statins: The Biggest Fraud

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By David Blyweiss, M.D., Advanced Natural Wellness

March 10, 2017

Big Pharma is perpetuating a fraud
The ugly side of statins
LDL isn’t a problem, but this is…

Big Pharma is constantly looking for new ways to rope you into taking statin drugs. And they actively discourage any reporting of negative side effects.

The only message they want you to hear is that these drugs will protect you from a heart attack and might save your life. There have even been reports of added benefits to taking statins.

For example, last month you may have seen headlines stating taking a statin might help ward off Alzheimer’s disease. In recent years there have also been some reports that these drugs can reduce the incidence of certain types of cancer.

Don’t fall for it.

Continue reading →

Finnish Secret Slashes Risk of Dementia

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By David Blyweiss, M.D., Advanced Natural Wellness

February 24, 2017

Saunas slash risk of dementia by up to 66%
They’re good for your heart, too
Here’s how to get the most out of your sauna experience

If you live in the northern states the idea of a nice, steamy sauna probably sounds pretty good right around now.

But no matter where you live, enjoying a sauna on a regular basis may be just what you need for a healthy heart, lively brain and longer life.

The people over in Finland know all about the healing power of saunas. They enjoy them with striking regularity. As a matter of fact, the large majority of Finns take at least one sauna every week. Many take them even more frequently.

And the pay-off is huge. Continue reading →