1.  Move your body!
Your heart muscle, just like any other muscle in the body needs exercise to maintain top form.  You should aim to move your body for 20-30 minutes, 3-5 times a week, at an intensity level high enough to increase your heart rate and induce sweating.

2.  Include omega-3 fatty acids in your diet.
Fish (mackerel, sardines, herring, wild salmon) are great sources of omega-3 fats that are protective against heart disease.  Aim for at least 2 servings of healthy fish a week.

3.  Manage your stress.
Stress is the primary cause of heart disease and knowing how you can help your body manage stress goes a long way.  Whether it is taking a holiday, taking a walk, yoga, meditation, laughing with friends, reading a book, or watching a movie, find something you enjoy doing to help you de-stress.

4.  Test your heavy metal load.
Heavy metal accumulation in the body is highly implicated in the development of heart disease.  Heavy metals come from different sources in our environment and can lead to many health concerns.  If heavy metals are detected to be a problem in your body, an individualized heavy metal removal program will be recommended.

5.  Get a comprehensive cardiovascular assessment.
In addition to the typical blood tests done through your general physician, a much more thorough cardiovascular assessment can be done at Vive Health.  This includes our suite of in-office testing, in particular, our Pulse Wave Analyzer that takes a look at your arterial elasticity and heart efficiency.  Also, we offer a comprehensive cardiovascular risk profile that looks at markers of risk and the status of key antioxidants.