As individuals most of us know that a strong, efficiently functioning cardiovascular system is imperative in achieving and maintaining good health. Alarmingly, in today’s society heart disease remains the leading cause of death while high blood pressure and stroke continue to take fearsome tolls. Increasingly, the heart and blood vessels continue to be the major Achilles heel of our health care system, both in terms of lost life and function and in cost.

Of course, the real answer to the problem is to prevent these disease processes from occurring. The pace of new research in this area is staggering and we are rapidly defining the disease processes and with that ways of preventing them. As expected this has more to do with diet and exercise than anything else. It has been estimated that 90% of the high blood pressure in this country can be adequately treated with these life style changes. Even if one has “bad genes” making them susceptible to these diseases, those genes will never be manifested if one makes the right decisions related to diet and exercise patterns. At Integrated Medicine Group we are committed to guiding our patients in learning choices and developing the patterns. In the meantime, it is necessary to treat disease already present.

Traditionally allopathic medicine has relied on medication and surgery to manage such diseases. There are however, good alternative, less invasive and more pleasant, highly successful therapies available. External Counterpulsation or EECP and Chelation Therapy are two such therapies which are offered at Integrated Medicine Group. Newer research demonstrates that the mechanism of action of both EECP and Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy seems to be the release of chemicals from the lining or arteries that stimulate growth of small blood vessels in areas where more blood is needed. A comprehensive evaluation working in conjunction with a cardiologist when appropriate can begin a path of treatment improving the quality and condition of an individual’s life!