What's really important in life? Most people will say it's their health and their families. They’ll say this while they are chasing their schedules, eating on the run and feeling anxious about the commitments they can’t make. The first commitment we should all make is to ourselves. If we experience joy and have a purpose in life, we are taking care of our hearts and our souls. This is where heart disease prevention truly begins.

In this issue, we celebrate National Heart Month by sharing information that is both familiar and eye opening. By now most people know that heart disease can be prevented by eating the right foods, getting regular exercise, managing stress and embracing some kind of spirituality or mind-body discipline. Most people also know their basic numbers – blood pressure, weight and cholesterol.

It’s not enough. We need to look beyond the results of the annual physical exam to discover our own risk profile for heart disease. I suggest you take the “Learn and Live” quiz on americanheart.org to uncover your personal risk factors for heart disease. The American Heart Association also offers excellent information for women at goredforwomen.org. I also suggest a book called Before the Heart Attacks by cardiologist Robert Superko, M.D. It’s a fascinating read.

For now, take a moment to read this issue of our newsletter. We hope it inspires you to stop running around and start paying attention to your life, your dreams and your emotions. What’s important in your life is ultimately what’s important to your heart.

Blessings,
Mimi Guarneri, M.D., FACC

Medical Director

Scripps Center for Integrative Medicine