Heart Health Cardiac Rehabilitation

I prepared a long reply, but it did not post.

First try asking over in this forum.

http://exchanges.webmd.com/heart-disease-exchange It is a more appropriate forum.

had chest x-ray yesterday; doctor office called today and said "you have atherosclerosis

You need to make an appointment with your doctor and get some details.

Regular x-rays won't show atherosclerosis.

And you might ask for a referral to a cardiologist for a detailed workup.

If there is calcification of the blockages, the atherosclerosis may be very obvious.

Ms. Jakes:

You can halt the disease, and with diet and exercise over a long time, bring about some reversal. With a properly scaled and gradual rehab, its possible you can do anything you want in three years.

I had blockages so bad that after bypass surgery, with normal patient behavior, I should be dead already, 5 years later. But I'm not, and I go out and play basketball occasionally and vollyeball and badminton. I chase my dog.

Paraoxonase, EPCs, low fat diet, lots of daily anti-oxidants and low stress life, lower blood pressure are keys to recovery.

Canned tuna is a good start, in water. Or salmon.

Paraoxonase is a substance that enhances your good cholesterol, and causes slow reduction in size of blockages. So far, I am only aware that it is from pomegranates. I have juice daly, and eat the fruit when in season.

EPCs are endothelial progenitor cells. Stem cells to maintain proper repair of arteries. All the risk factors for heart disease affect EPCs, making them less numerous and ineffetive at repair. Pistachios and green tea help you produce more EPCs. Low stress, low salt, low fat, no hydrogenated oils, no dairy, no beef, no poulty skin, no smoking.

For more anti-oxidants, cook with herbs DAILY. Eat berries and other red, blue and purple fruits, plus dark chocolate, and prunes or prune juice. No nuts except pistachios, low salt if possible.

Reading, try: http://www.howtolivealongerlife.com/2009/07/longevity-made-simple-book-review.html
This book is by a Denver cardiologist, and Olympic caliber rower, who chose medical school over the 1964 Olympics.


As much as possible, whole grains, and high fiber foods.

thank you for information. i myself did not think x-rays told anything but the nurse kept saying aorta area. anyway, i am waiting for another test to come back and then further action will be taken on my part. i have started watching my food intake A LOT BETTER this past week, trying to stop smoking and that is making me stress out (but i will win that battle) and since cleaning homes is my business i do get daily exercise. but thank you for taking the time to respond.

thank you for all the information. i am watching and more alert to foods to eat this past week; am trying to stop smoking (which brings on the stress) but i will win the battle and increase daily exercise. i appreciate the info you sent.