Heart Health and Chiropractic Care
Research research found in the Annals of Vertebral Subluxation Research have found a case were a patient with cardiovascular disease risk factors (such as high cholesterol and triglycerides) that has been able to reduce his risk of cardiovascular disease by seeking chiropractic care.
Other risk factors for developing cardiovascular disease include:
Obesity
Physical inactivity
Diabetes
Unhealthy diets
Too much alcohol consumption
Tobacco exposure
Hypertension
What is Cardiovascular Disease?
Cardiovascular disease includes a number of conditions that can affect the structures or functioning of your heart.
Cardiovascular disease can include:
Heart attack
Coronary artery disease
Arrythmias (or abnormal heart rhythms)
Heart valve disease
Heart failure
Congential heart disease
Cardiomyopathy (heart muscle disease)
Pericardial disease
Marfan syndrome
Aorta disease
Vascular disease
In the United States, cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women. As a result it is important to understand the risk factors, implications of the diseases and treatments.
This research publication indicates that more than 80 million individuals are diagnosed annually with cardiovascular disease. While cardiovascular disease is a major cause of morbidity worldwide, it is extremely prevalent in the United States as the result of inactive lifestyles and Western diets.
How Chiropractic Care Helps with Cardiovascular Risk Factors:
According to this recent research chiropractic care helps with cardiovascular risk factors. This case includes a 30 year old male, who sought chiropractic care after receiving a diagnosis of high cholesterol and triglycerides by his medical physician. His blood work showed that his triglycerides were 577 mg/dL (the normal range being from 35-150 mg/dL) and his cholesterol level was 246 mg/dL (with the normal range from 130-200 mg/dL). With these numbers, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention would classify this patient as being at a high risk for developing cardiovascular disease. This patient also reported to his chiropractor that he was experiencing signs and symptoms of gout as well as lower back pain for a duration of six weeks.
His chiropractor performed an examination which consisted of a visual postural evaluation, orthopedic tests, motion and static palpation, neurological tests, paraspinal thermography instrumentation and deep tendon reflexes for upper and lower extremities. Based on the findings of this chiropractor's exam, it was found that spinal subluxations were present. To correct these subluxations, specific chiropractic adjustments occurred twice per week. This patient also included lifestyle modification -- diet and exercise -- with his chiropractic treatment regimen.
When it came time for the patient's second visit, the patient noticed a significant improvement in his symptoms as well as with his other complaints -- less joint pain and lower back pain. The patient also reported that his sleeping patterns and his digestion had improved. Upon consulting his medical physician, the patient was able to discontinue his cholesterol and triglyceride medications.
Five weeks into treatment, this patient found that his blood work was now normal. His blood work showed that his triglycerides were 126 mg/dL (the normal range being from 35-150 mg/dL) and his cholesterol level was 188 mg/dL (with the normal range from 130-200 mg/dL).
Both levels were now within normal limits.This case study suggests that adults with cardiovascular disease may lower their risk factors by seeking chiropractic care as well as modifying their lifestyles to include a healthy diet and increased physical activity. One study indicates chiropractic care can lower your cardiovascular risk factors.
Related Studies:
Several other studies have been conducted that suggest chiropractic care helps with cardiovascular disease risk factors.
One study found that adjustments to patients helped to lower their average heart rates -- in patients who had above average heart rates. This major reasoning behind the thought that chiropractic care can help with cardiovascular disease in this study is that back pain, which chiropractic adjustment can help to relieve, may have caused an increase in heart rate. Research indicates that stress can be contributing to an increased heart rate. Another study investigated that connection between systolic and diastolic blood pressure and anxiety levels.
This study sought to quantify changes after the subjects has received chiropractic care. The results showed that patients were able to reduce their blood pressure as well as their anxiety levels.