Heart Health Questions and Answers
Vital Health Zone is proud to announce Lisa Nelson, who is our resident heart health and weight loss expert and who is available to answer questions about heart health and weight loss.
Lisa has a private practice and is available for distance consultation, via telephone or email, as well as consultation at her practice.
Lisa answers all your heart health and weight loss questions below:
- Posssible angina with digestive issues
- Chest pain with exercise - is it due to a heart condition?
- What is the best diet for maintaining a healthy heart?
Q: My brother has been having digestive issues for over 10 years and for the last 4 years, he has been getting a lot of chest pain and headaches. The chest pain comes on when he is resting/inactive. I have read that this could be prinzmetal angina, would this be a resonable observation?
Also, he is currently being treated by a Nutritional Doctor who believes my brother has low stomach acid, which is preventing many essential nutrients getting to his body. He also believes the lack of protein breakdown is preventing neurotransmitters being created, which may be the cause of his anxiety.
Any assistance you can provide would be fantastic!?
A: Your specific health issues are not my area of specialty; however, I do want to refer you to where you can learn more about coronary artery spasms (Prinzmetal's angina).
I recommend you continue to work with your medical physician to determine the cause and appropriate treatment of your brothers chest pain and headaches. Also, discuss the possibility of low gastric acid, so your brother can be tested.
Q: I've led a sedentary life working on computers before owning my Total Gym exercise unit. I notice when using it, I get sharp electrical type pains in my chest area which I've never felt before. I'm obese and 61 yrs old and not on any medications but am taking supplements for heart, thyroid and multivitamins. I grill or microwave my food and eat minimal meats. My father and his mother both died of heart attack and both were obese. Could this be a sign that I too have a heart condition?
A: I recommend you make an appointment to visit your medical doctor to investigate your chest pains, to determine if they are being caused by a heart condition.
Any type of chest pain should be investigated by your medical physician to rule out any heart condition (or diagnose it). Your doctor will need to perform a number of tests to determine the cause of your chest pain and advise you on treatment for your specific situation. This is the only way to diagnose a heart condition (or rule it out).
In the meantime, if you notice any pain in your chest while you are exercising, you should stop what you are doing and rest. If the pain becomes worse, seek immediate medical attention.
Q: Hi, I was wondering what would be the best possible food menu in order to keep a healthy heart. What kinds of foods would I have to include in my diet? Is olive leaf really a good thing for the heart?
A: To promote heart health with your food menu it’s best to implement the basic principles of the Mediterranean diet.
- Consume high intake of fruits and vegetables
- Select whole grains
- Consume healthy fats (canola and olive oil)
- Eat nuts in moderation
- Low red wine consumption
- Limit eggs to less than 4 times per week
- Consume little red meat
- Eat fish regularly
You can learn more about the Mediterraean diet if you view the detailed information on the pages below:
- Mediterranean Diet - by Lisa Nelson
- Mediterranean Diet
Olive leaf, the leaf from the olive tree, has been studied and shown to reduce LDL cholesterol, lower blood pressure and increase blood flow by dilating (relaxing) arteries. It is also a good source of antioxidants. I recommend you discuss all supplements with your physician. There is potential for a drug nutrient interaction if you take medications.
Enjoy better health!
