Alternity Healthcare, leading the way in proactive, preventive healthcare, is the first facility in Connecticut to have this technology available!

 

HeartSmartIMTplus™ is a non-invasive, state-of-the-art, cost-effective diagnostic tool for the earliest detection of cardiovascular disease. It is safe, painless and convenient, taking only 10 minutes in your physician's office.   

 

The value of carotid IMT has been recognized by the American Heart Association, the American College of Cardiology and the American Society of Echocardiography for the early detection of heart disease in asymptomatic patients. 
   

 

A report this year in the New England Journal of Medicine confirmed earlier findings that a higher body mass index (BMI) is significantly associated with mortaility.  More importantly, a large European study found that the risk of premature death increased as waist circumference increased, even among individuals with identical BMI.

 

The risk of premature death for those with a larger waist (at least 40.4 inches for men, and 35 inches for women) was double that for those with a smaller waist (less than 34 inches for men and 28 inches for women).  For each 2 inch increase in waist circumference, mortality increased 17% for men, and 13% for women.

 

Lurking behind that expanding waistline is the real danger.  Intra-abdominal adiposity, or visceral fat, is a highly metabolically active generator of silent inflammation.  These fat cells produce and release inflammatory cytokines that cause a cascade of inflammatory responses throughout the body, that can lead to high blood pressure, blood sugar imbalances, insulin resistance, excess lipid levels, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and premature death.     

 

Compounding this issue is the interaction of viceral fat with the cannabinoid hormone system (named after the marijuana or cannabis, plant).  These hormones are made from omega-6-fatty acids.  In the brain they cause overeating (munchies), particularly fatty foods and sugars, resulting in abdominal obesity, which leads to insulin resistance and glucose intolerance. Stimulation of intra-abdominal receptors causes the liver to produce more fat, causing elevated triglyceride and LDL (bad) cholesterol levels. 

 

 

Results of the SYNERGIE trial reported at the 77th European Athersclerosis Society Congress in April 2008, showed the risk factor profile of high-risk, abdominally obese men with features of the metabolic syndrome  was improved by regular consultation with a dietician and kinesiologist (exercise specialist).

 

Among individuals who are equally overweight, those with abdominal cavity fat, or visceral adipose tissue, are at greater risk for cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes.

 

Investigators showed that the lifestyle modification program resulted in significant improvements in many components of the metabolic syndrome:

 Your quest for optimal health and longer life begins with a comprehensive evaluation at Alternity Healthcare to assess your health weakness and strengths.