Written by Dr Sandra Miranda, ND

February is known as the month when people express their love on Valentine’s Day.  Those displays of affections often get communicated with greeting cards, roses and heart shaped boxes of chocolates and other symbols of love.

With all of these heart shaped symbols flying around this month it is good to note that February is also a month that promotes Heart Health.  So let’s bring to everyone’s awareness that the #1 cause of death in the world is …heart disease

While the term “Heart Disease” covers a myriad of heart issues, I don’t want to bore you or depress you with all the medical data, statistics and facts out there.  But, I do want to take this opportunity to express my frustrations around heart disease and share some simple steps we can all do in the hope of improving the statistics.

I’m sure, many of you reading this have experienced a loss of a loved one due to heart failure or are possibly dealing with some aspect of heart disease in your family right now.  I too have lost family members, friends and loved ones to heart disease. Some people suffer from a stroke, others from a heart attack and others from a long struggle with blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes, all of which can lead to ultimate heart failure

Why am I frustrated & angry about this? Because in most cases it is preventable. Every time they ordered that big burger and supersized fries, with a large soda at the drive thru window, every time they lit that next cigarette, poured that “one too many” drink, every time they added the little bit of extra syrup to those pancakes or stopped by the donut shop for a “treat” … little by little every single day of their lives they unwittingly contributed to and added to their heart health problem until ultimately their heart was broken to the point it could no longer function.

As a Naturopathic Doctor, knowing what I know now after several years in the health industry, having been to hundreds of educational seminars, having helped thousands of patients change their habits, having spent years educating people about the effects of processed foods, and encouraging them day after day to live a healthier lifestyle … I am here to tell you, we are breaking our own hearts every day and if you can relate to this blog, I am here to help you change!

Don’t worry, I’m not going to tell you to only eat salad and walk for 3 hours a day, I’m simply suggesting that you pay attention to what you are eating and the lifestyle you are living.

Not only can we stop doing damage to our hearts, the great news is we can actually reverse some of the damage we’ve already done!

How? Simple version: Eat Better – Move More!

It really is that simple!

It’s never easy to break a habit or to make a lifestyle change; it takes commitment, will power and motivation to do things.

By starting with small changes to your diet, from processed (poison) food to real, natural, nutritious, delicious, healthy food and by adding at least 30 minutes of exercise a day to your routine, you can and will, not only feel unbelievably better with more energy and zest for life, but you may also reduce your cholesterol, lower your blood pressure, clear your arteries, strengthen your heart and maybe … just maybe, enjoy a long happy, healthy life surrounded by people who love you and whom you want to express your love for every Valentine’s Day for years to come! 

As your doctor and friend I ask you, please, stop breaking your heart and have a very happy, healthy heart month & a wonderful love filled Valentine’s Day! 

If you have any questions on how you can prevent heart disease, call us at 905-239-3900 for a free “Meet&Greet” with Dr Miranda.  We are happy to help!