1. What is cardiovascular disease?

        a. Cardiovascular disease consists of multiple conditions including congestive heart failure,         coronary or peripheral artery disease, and strokes. These are serious medical conditions for         which you should regularly see your cardiologist.

2. How can I prevent developing cardiovascular disease?

        a. Cardiovascular disease is caused by a complex interaction between your genetics and         environment. If your parents developed cardiovascular disease it is not predestined that you will         develop the same problems. You cannot change your genetics, but you can change how you         interact with your environment. Unless otherwise told by your doctor, make sure you eat a         balanced diet that is low in processed foods and plentiful in whole foods such as fresh fruits         and vegetables.

3. If I have risk factors for cardiovascular disease, what can I do about it?

        a. Knowledge is power. We have all heard this statement before, but it has never

        been more true when it comes to the prevention of heart disease. Come to your doctor’s         appointment with a brief list of topics or questions that you would like to discuss. Plan ahead to         take control of your health.

4. How can I monitor my risk factors?

        a. Technology has dramatically changed how we interact with our environment. The invention of         smartphones and smart watches will continue to revolutionize healthcare. We have recently         partnered with a company called Chronic Care IQ which has developed a smartphone app that         allows us to monitor our patients’ blood pressure, weight, and other essential data so that we         may react to problems much sooner than your next office visit. This technology has been shown         to reduce hospital visits by 29%. Because of this cost savings, most insurers are paying the vast         majority of the cost for this program.

        b. https://chroniccareiq.com/chronic-care-management/cciq-data-analysis-summary -29-reduction-in-hospital-admissions/

Building health habits begins with self-discipline. Most self-disciplined people get up early in the morning and go to bed early at night.

II. Eat a well-balanced diet of whole (not processed) foods. As a Christian, I think of it as eating food the Lord has made, instead of food that man has made.

III. If you have hypertension, monitor it at least a few times a week. Make sure you are using an appropriately sized upper arm digital cuff while seated, with your arm supported by your side, after you have rested for at least 3-4 minutes. Write your numbers down or keep them in your smartphone to show to your physician.

Finally, here are two tough questions to consider this week:

1. With the widespread availability of smartphone technology, how can you use your phone to improve your health?

2. Corpus Christi has been consistently ranked among the 20 most unhealthy cities in the United States. How can you spread the word that as a city, we are taking back our health? Hint: Help us spread the word by sharing this email, posting on social media, or reviewing our office on Google.