10 Things You Can Do Today to Prevent/Reverse Heart Disease

1. Get moving — incorporate aerobic (cardiovascular), strength, flexibility, balance and coordination into your exercise routine; the bottom line is to stay active
2. Participate in a community you enjoy – family, friends, church, volunteer, workplace, book club, exercise group, etc.
3. Know your numbers - Cholesterol, LDL, HDL, Triglycerides, Fasting Glucose, and in some cases hs-CRP, Vitamin D, Vitamin B12, insulin levels, HbA1c, and Coronary Calcium Score. Normal Blood pressure is 130/80 or less. Normal BMI is 20 – 25.
4. Eat plant strong - Eat greens, beans, vibrant colors (fruits and vegetables), whole grains, nuts and seeds. Walk away from the Standard American Diet (SAD) and toward a whole-food, plant-based diet. Plant-Strong Cookbooks: Happy Herbivore, Plant Pure Nation, Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease Cookbook.

.

1. Read labels - including both the Nutrition Facts and the Ingredient Lists
2. Get 7-8 hours of restful sleep every night. 
3. Spend quality time alone and pursue peacefulness - 15-30 minutes daily, removing yourself from life stressors. Don’t sweat the small stuff. Learn and practice the Relaxation Response (Herbert Benson, MD) and learn to avoid the Fight or Flight Stress response. Examples: meditating, reading, T’ai Chi, yoga, exercising, music, Heart-Math (biofeedback)
4. Don’t smoke and avoid second-hand smoke
5. Turn off the TV
6. Create your own Program - The bigger the investment, the bigger the return