Is chest pain, increased heart rate, dizziness or low blood pressure affecting your training? How’s your heart health?
Cardiovascular fitness is a great way to reduce your risk of heart disease, however, if you’re suffering from symptoms of low blood pressure such as dizziness, rapid heart rate, fatigue, or chest pain, there may be a systemic health problem, leading to complication with your heart health. These types of heart complaints can affect you at any age and any fitness level, and can be life threatening.
Conditions related to inflammation of the heart tissues such as Pericarditis, are most commonly caused by infections, be it bacterial, fungal or viral, and can be just as life threatening as heart disease brought on by a sedentary lifestyle, poor diet and lifestyle habits such as smoking and alcohol consumption.
Pericarditis can present with other symptoms such as dry cough, fever, fatigue and anxiety, and in acute stages, be very similar to symptoms of myocardial infarction (heart attack) pain. It can be misdiagnosed, and if not identified, can progress with complications to heart failure.
Specific blood and stool testing is necessary to identify the type of bacterial, viral or fungal infection. Each type of infection will respond differently to different types of treatment. Accurate treatment measures are then undertaken resulting in complete recovery, rather than relying on medications to control symptoms possibly for life. Medications to control symptoms rather than treating the cause can lead to side effects, which may create further health complications in the future, which is why it is important to completely investigate your particular circumstances.
A recent patient, aged 80, with a history of high blood pressure and a heart attack at the age of 50, presented with a dangerously high aortic blood pressure of 150/110, which was caused by high levels of inflammation in the heart tissues, even though he was medicated for the previous 30 years. With this type of investigation, we found 2 forms of infection and high levels of inflammation produced by triggers in his diet. Within 10 months, his blood pressure normalised, his cholesterol and triglycerides dropped to within normal levels, and inflammatory markers were reduced. He was then able to remove his medication with the support of his doctor after 30 years, which was an incredibly successful result for him.
In clinic testing can confirm if you are at risk of inflammatory heart conditions, or for further information on your health concerns contact Advanced Wellness and Behavioural Centre for a free half hour consultation.
