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PRINCETON INTEGRATIVE HEALTH CENTER MONTHLY SESSIONS

Heart Health & Balancing Blood Pressure

PRESENTERS

Helen Law, Ph.D, L.Ac, Dipl. NCAAOM, FAAIM Ph.D in Natural Health Licensed Acupuncturist - NY & NJ Fellow, American Association of Integrative Medicine NJ Top Docs in Acupuncture for the last 5 years

Laura Keiles, ND, CTN, CNW, BCIH, DAAIM Doctor of Naturopathy, Board Certified Traditional

Naturopath and Nutritional Wellness Board Certified in Integrative Health Diplomate, American Association of Integrative Medicine Certified in Clinical Homeopathy

AGENDA

Introduction What is ‘Heart Health’? Blood Pressure Issues on the Rise Different Kinds of Strokes Complementary & Integrative Therapies

Benefits Cautions

Next Steps

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WHAT IS “HEART HEALTH”

We need to know what good health for our heart means.

We already know about all the things that are conditions and diseases of the cardiovascular system

What does it take to have heart health?

ONE OF THE LARGEST CATEGORIES OF ILLNESS

All of these conditions are directly related to the heart Arrhythmia Atrial Fibrillation Cardiac Arrest Cardiomyopathy Cardiovascular Conditions of

Childhood Cholesterol Congenital Heart Defects Heart Attack Heart Failure Heart Valve Problems and

Disease Pericarditis Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)

All of these conditions are impacted by or related to conditions of the heart Diabetes High Blood Pressure

HEPATIC RENAL CARDIAC

HIV Metabolic Syndrome Stroke

HEART ATTACK KEY POINTS

A Heart Attack is the sudden death of part of the heart muscle due to blockage of blood supply to the heart

Different for Men and Women Predominance in A, B, and AB Blood Types

Compared to people with type O blood: People with the AB blood type were 23% more likely to develop heart disease. People with blood type A had a 5% increased risk. People with blood type B had an 11% increased risk.

A blood type is linked to higher levels of LDL ("bad") cholesterol, and that the AB blood type is tied to inflammation

While the death rate from heart disease dropped somewhat between 2012 and 2013, it remains the No. 1 cause of death in the nation.

The findings appear in Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology

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HOW TO MONITOR YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE

• When measuring blood pressure, an accurate reading requires:• that one not drink coffee• smoke cigarettes, • or engage in strenuous exercise for 30 minutes before taking the reading.

• A full bladder may have a small effect on blood pressure readings; if the urge to urinate arises, one should do so before the reading.

• For 5 minutes before the reading, one should sit upright in a chair with one's feet flat on the floor and with limbs uncrossed.

• The blood pressure cuff should always be against bare skin, as readings taken over a shirt sleeve are less accurate. During the reading, the arm that is used should be relaxed and kept at heart level, for example by resting it on a table or with your arm crossed across your chest.

• Consistency is important – BP varies from side of body. E.g. Left side of body may be different from right side of body in measurement up to 20 points. Measure with the same side.

• Suitable times are:• immediately after awakening (before washing/dressing and taking breakfast/drink), while

the body is still resting,• immediately after finishing work.

BLOOD PRESSURE STATISTICS

You will be measured for BP here What % were in “documented” normal range What % were low/higher?

{ Fill in information from attendee on the fly}

THE NUMBERS…

Category systolic, mm Hg

diastolic, mm Hg

Hypotension < 90 < 60

Desired 90–119 60–79

Prehypertension 120–139 80–89

Stage 1 hypertension 140–159 90–99

Stage 2 hypertension 160–179 100–109

Hypertensive emergency ≥ 180 ≥ 110

The table shows the classification of blood pressure adopted by the American Heart Association

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BLOOD PRESSURE RISK FACTOR Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against the

wall of the artery as the heart pumps blood. Hypertension is abnormally elevated blood pressure High Blood Pressure is a serious condition that can lead

to coronary heart disease, heart failure, stroke, kidney failure, and other health problems.

About 1 in 3 adults in the USA have high blood pressure In 2013 estimated 62% of stroke and 49% heart attacks

are caused by high blood pressure.

BLOOD PRESSURE CONSEQUENCES

Possible health consequences that can happen over time when high blood pressure is left untreated include: Damage to the heart and coronary arteries, including heart attack, heart

disease, congestive heart failure, aortic dissection and atherosclerosis (fatty buildups in the arteries that cause them to harden)

Stroke Kidney damage Vision and/or memory loss Erectile dysfunction Fluid in the lungs Angina and/or Peripheral artery disease

But remember, these are not symptoms of HBP. High blood pressure is a symptomless disease except in its most extreme cases known as hypertensive crisis. This crisis is when BP readings rise to 180 or above for the systolic — top — number OR 110 or above for the diastolic — bottom.

TYPES OF STROKES

TIA – Transient Ischemic Attacks (Warning Stroke not Mini Stroke) TIA is caused by a clot; the only difference between a stroke and TIA is that with TIA the blockage

is transient (temporary). TIA symptoms occur rapidly and last a relatively short time. Ischemic (Clots)

Occurs as the result of an obstruction within the blood vessels supplying blood to the brain. 87% of all stroke cases are Ischemic ones.

CRYPTOGENIC STROKES (strokes of unknown cause) account for an estimated 30-40% of all ischemic strokes in the U.S., affecting potentially an estimated 400,000 stroke patients each year.

33% of stroke survivors are at risk of having another stroke, diagnosing and minimizing the risk of another stroke event is critical to the stroke treatment pathway.

Hemorrhagic (Bleeds) Occurs when a weakened blood vessel ruptures.

Anerusym Arterialvenous Malformation (AVM)

Most common cause of these hemorrhagic is uncontrolled high blood pressure (hypertension)

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STROKE RISK FACTORS

A stroke is the sudden death of the brain cells due to a problem with blood supply

The blood flow to the brain can be disrupted by either a blockage or rupture of an artery to the brain.

In the US about 400,000 people a year suffer from stroke. 40% of these strokes may be fatal. Almost 60% who survived have a life of suffering or disability.

STROKE & THE HEART

A, B, and AB to heart attack and to blood clots in the legs. Type O has been linked to a heightened risk for bleeding, which implies less chance of the clots that are responsible for most strokes.

Stroke is the 5th leading cause of death in adults. The stroke death rate dropped slightly, from 36.9 percent in 2012 to 36.2

percent in 2013. Indeed, despite the lower death rate, 432 more people died from stroke in 2013

than in 2012, the report found. It remains unclear why more younger people are having strokes, said

American Heart Association past president Donna Arnett, Ph.D., who herself had a stroke at age 27. “We suspect that part of it is the increase in risk factors, with more obesity and

diabetes in the young,” said Arnett, chairperson of the Department of Epidemiology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Public Health. “Deaths from stroke fell, which means we’re doing better at treating it. But the concern is, are we doing better at preventing stroke in the first place.”

GOOD NEWS!

PREVENTION is the key to HEART HEALTH Lifestyle – Food choices, exercise, etc.

Eat a better diet, which may include reducing salt and/or fat Enjoy regular physical activity Maintain a healthy weight (BMI) - http://halls.md/body-mass-

index/av.htm The most useful measure of overweight and obesity is body mass index (BMI).

BMI is calculated from your height and weight. AS per the CDC - In adults, a BMI of 18.5 to 24.9 is considered normal. A BMI of 25 to 29.9 is considered overweight. A BMI of 30 or more is considered obese.

Manage stress Avoid tobacco smoke Certain drug interactions may be the source of heart issues If you drink, limit alcohol Understand hot tub safety

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COMPLEMENTARY & INTEGRATIVE THERAPIES

TCM Theory & Acupuncture Chinese Herbal Therapy Cupping Moxibustion Auricular Therapy Homeopathy Western Herbal Therapy Nutritional Coaching Needle free Electro Acupuncture with Frequency Detoxification

TCM THEORY

Cold/Heat Damp/Dryness Summer Heat Wind

Yin Yang Qi Blood

TCM THEORY

Pattern discrimination Diagnostic tools: pulse, tongue, inquiry, smell,

listen, palpation Patterns: Access, Deficiency, Stagnation, Blood

Stasis Heart Health – example: Blood Pressure - example:

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TCM THEORY

Chinese Medicine Treatment based on Pattern Discrimination

There is a saying in Chinese medicine:

One disease, different treatmentsDifferent diseases, same treatment

This means that in Chinese medicine, 2 patients with the same named disease diagnosis may receive different treatments if their Chinese medical patterns are different, while two patients diagnosed with different named diseases may receive the same treatment if their Chinese medical pattern is the same. Therefore each person is treated individually.

ACUPUNCTURE

Primary Effects Affects every major system of the body It relieves pain and reduces intensity of chronic pain It reduced inflammation It restores homeostasis and balances hormones It promotes blood flow and increases circulation It stimulates healing mechanism and restores function It releases natural painkillers It relaxes the whole body and regulate serotonin in the brain It reduces stress and calms the anxiety

WHAT IS IT

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HOW DOES IT WORK• Acupuncture points are areas of

designated electrical sensitivity

• Inserting needles at these points stimulates various sensory receptors that, in turn, stimulate nerves that transmit impulses to the hypothalamic-pituitary system at the base of the brain

• Hypothalamus-pituitary glands are responsible for releasing neurotransmitters and endorphins (the body's natural pain-killing hormones)

• It is estimated that endorphins are 200 times more potent than morphine

Article in Discover Magazine (Needles & Nerves, Sept 01, 1998)

ACUPUNCTURE FOR HEART HEALTH & BLOOD PRESSURE BALANCING

CHINESE HERBAL SUPPLEMENTS

Four energies 5 Tastes:

acrid, bitter, salty, sour, sweet

3 temperatures: cool or cold; Warm or hot; Neutral

4 movements: upward, outward, downward, inward

Entering channels (meridians)

Chinese herbal formula is a complex cocktail of energetic qualities, functions and directions

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CHINESE HERBAL SUPPLEMENTS

Herbal specifics for Heart Health & Blood Pressure

CHINESE HERBAL THERAPY

CUPPING• Cupping is the term applied to a technique that uses small glass cups or

bamboo jars as suction devices that are placed on the skin.• The suction and negative pressure provided by cupping can loosen muscles,

encourage blood flow, and sedate the nervous system• Cupping is used to relieve back and neck pains, stiff muscles, anxiety, fatigue,

migraines, rheumatism, weight loss, and even cellulite.

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MOXIBUSTION

The purpose of moxibustion, as with most forms of traditional Chinese medicine, is to warm meridians and expel cold, strengthen yang from collapse, stimulate the smooth flow of qi and blood; improve circulation; breeched fetus, arthritis, prevent diseases and maintain general health.

Moxibustion is a traditional Chinese medicine technique that involves the burning of mugwort, a small, spongy herb, to facilitate healing.

AURICULAR THERAPY

Auriculotherapy, or auricular therapy, or ear acupuncture, or auriculoacupuncture is a form of alternative medicine based on the idea that the ear is a microsystem which reflects the entire body, represented on the auricle, the outer portion of the ear.

The ear map in China then was developed according to the theories of Traditional Chinese Medicine

WESTERN HERBALISM

Western herbalism is a form of the healing arts that draws from herbal traditions of Europe and the Americas, and that emphasizes the study and use of European and Native American herbs in the treatment and prevention of illness

Western herbalism, like the much older system of traditional Chinese medicine, relies on the synergistic and curative properties of the plant to treat symptoms and disease and maintain health.

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NUTRITIONAL COACHING

Foods can be used to balance blood pressure and heart health Proper salt, sugar and protein balancing

Specifics Our bodies run on salts and sugars – bottom line Simple food changes/adjustments (eliminate “natural

salt triggers” – celery sticks, grape tomatoes, cheese Simple water adjustments (distilled water test) Protein/Fat balance with salt – lean meats: broiled,

poached, good seasonings

VITAMIN SUPPLEMENTATION

Latest information about Vitamin D

HOMEOPATHY

A system for treating disease based on the administration of minute doses of a drug that in massive amounts produces symptoms in healthy individuals similar to those of the disease itself.

The lower the number, the less it is diluted. X is based on 10 times dilutions, C is based on 100 times dilution.

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FREQUENCY SPECIFIC MICROCURRENT

Frequency Specific Microcurrent (FSM) is an exciting new way of treating nerve and muscle pain and many other conditions using specific frequencies and micro amperage current.

Pairs of frequencies of microampere-level electrical stimulation are applied to acupuncture points as well as myofascial trigger points on the skin of a patient via probes or gel electrode patches.

DETOXIFICATION

HOW TO SPOT A STROKE

Also ask the person to stick out their tongue. If it extends crooked (off to the side) then that is another sign

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COMPLEMENTARY & INTEGRATIVE THERAPIES

With all these complementary functions We can help prevent onset of conditions We can also delay onset of conditions

After diagnosis and onset of condition We can halt progression We can restore organ function We can improve immune system We can balance hormones & metabolism

COMPLEMENTARY & INTEGRATIVE THERAPIES

Benefits Approaching the whole body and from a functional and

integrative perspective Participative effort with individuals versus directed Complements existing conventional medicine practices

Cautions Some herbal combinations can cause shifts in blood

pressure or changes in regulated balance. Some protocols may not be effective with all individuals.

Each therapy needs to be evaluated on a case by case basis Important to be monitored/supervised by practitioners

NEXT STEPS

Talk to your cardiologist or primary practitioner if you are interested in adding complementary therapies.

Do your homework Update your blood work/tests Monitor your blood pressure at home Keep track of your food/supplements/medicines

and how effective it is

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