Heart Health Institute

Your Bridge To A Healthy Heart

Heart Health Institute What We Do

5 Myths

With the advent of the internet, there is ever more information available to the general public.
Often, there is misinformation and/or out dated information. See how you score on the 5 most common myths relative to heart disease. Then, check out our programs...

The leading causes of death in women over age 55 are breast, lung and ovarian cancers?
False...more than 1/2 of women will die of heart and vascular related diseases

When dieting to reduce heart disease risk, I must avoid all fats?
False....monounsaturated fats such as olive oil, walnuts or almonds, canola, or fish oil are encouraged as part of a healthy heart diet to increase HDL and lower triglycerides and inflammation. Watch the calories and portion size, it is possible to get fat eating too much healthy stuff.

Taking vitamins prevents heart disease?
False...trials of vitamin C, E, Folate, B12 and B6 have all been disappointing. Taking vitamins or minerals to correct deficiency or a daily multivitamin capsule is fine, but diet and lifestyle is much more important than a handful of supplements.

I exercise and I am thin, therefore I don't have high cholesterol or high risk?
False...remember Jim Fixx the marathon runner....preventing heart disease is about doing something for yourself in multiple areas of prevention including: stress reduction, checking blood pressure, stopping smoking and being tested for cholesterol and other risk factors; not about being a fanatic in just one area.

Can you be stressed or scared to death?
True, and the voodoo doctor has known that for years. More scientifically, sudden high outputs of sympathetic nerve chemicals is thought to cause Takosubu Cardiomyopathy, which mimics heart attacks right down to the ECG changes and effect on heart muscle movement. This can and does occur even with perfectly normal coronary arteries and no plaque. In case you think this is very rare, this syndrome accounted for more than 20% of heart attack presentations in women in several community studies.

TAM Program

What is the TAM Program?
TAM (Total Arteriosclerosis Management) is an integrated lifestyle program to prevent and/or reverse the process of cardiovascular disease. Knowing that cardiovascular disease is a chronic, progressive disease and that the lifestyle we live has a significant effect on the rate of progression, we also know we can reverse the process. Each TAM participant is unique and receives an individualized lifestyle plan that they practice in our classes. Ongoing coaching and support is provided by our multidisciplinary, professional team.

How will I benefit from the TAM Program?
Each participant has a different risk profile so each risk reduction plan is developed to meet the needs of that person.

How do I Get Started?
Your program begins the minute your enroll! Call 415-499-1010, or email HHI and we will contact you immediately.

Enrollment
Enrollment must be completed one month prior to the Program you wish to attend. Click here to view the 2011 Calendar. This will insure appropriate time for your pre-TAM consultations. Enrollments after the deadline will be considered individually. Enrollments after the deadline will be considered individually. All participants must be under the care of a physician. A lipid panel is required pre and post TAM. An exercise stress test (treadmill test) is recommended prior to starting TAM. The tests and lab fees are not included in the price of TAM and are billed separately to the participant. Most insurance companies will cover the stress testing and lab fees as part of routine medical care.

Payment
The TAM Program operates on a fee-for-service basis. The Participant Fee is $3,700 but we do have an early registration discount. A deposit of $500.00 is required to secure your place. We accept check or credit card. Please call for more information about discounts and payment options. Members of the Marin Sonoma IPA may qualify for a special discounted rate. Call 415-499-1010 to see if you qualify.

Funding Support
The Heart Health Institute is a not for profit organization that offers funding support. Applications are available from theTAM Program staff by email or call
415-499-1010 and request a Funding Support Application.

Stress Management

Stress, and how we react to it, plays a major role in the progression of heart disease. Through regular practice of mindful activities, one can reduce the toxic effects of stress hormones to the coronary arteries and elsewhere in the body.

HHI offers classes in Tai Chi and Feldenkrais®. Classes are open to the public. Click here to email, or call 415-499-1010 for more information or to register for a class. You are invited to participate in your first class free of charge. Save your space now!

Tai Chi

Tai Chi is known for its health enhancing attributes and is an excellent stress management practice. Doing some tai chi on a daily basis offers many health benefits including:

• improved cardiovascular function
• lower blood pressure
• increased balance, flexibility and agility
• improved concentration and focus
• decreased muscular tension
• decreased emotional stress
• improved range of motion
• increased muscular strength
• decreased anxiety

Feldenkrais®

The Feldenkrais® method is a gentle approach to musculo-skeletal re-education. By redirecting holding patterns in our musculature we can decrease pain and increase function.

For more information about Kenn Chase, Tai Chi and Feldenkrais® visit his website or call 415-499-1010.

Testimonials

The TAM program gave me the knowledge, support and structure I needed to commit to a heart healthy lifestyle. I looked forward to my sessions each week. This program is like no other because of the bonds that are formed with the participants week after week -- we were all in it together. Each week I gained more tools to integrate into my lifestyle. As a heart survivor and proud graduate, I want to say, Thank you TAM!!! Diane Christiansen, Larkspur

TAM gave me the whole package, especially stress reduction. We’d like to blame ice cream for our problems, but I think it’s from being ‘Type A’! The TAM staff is top-notch. I can’t say enough good things about all of them. They showed me what had happened, how to undo some of the damage, and what to do so I won’t have additional damage. I’ve lost 35 pounds and kept it off.
Rich McCamish, San Rafael

A great cardiologist sent me to the TAM program that changed my life. My new healthier eating plan and exercise routine are now favorite parts of my new lifestyle. I am looking forward to living to be 100 years old, and actually believe it might happen! My sincere "Thank you" goes to the TAM program and its dedicated staff, who excel in their professional skills and provide a pleasant learning environment, educational program and experience. Betty Wallar, Greenbrae

If you are reading this then you probably are or know someone close that is going through the life-changing events that are part of poor or declining cardiac health. We have passed through that period in our lives. Good food and good health go together as we learned with our friends at the TAM program. We were served delicious meals from our chef as we were guided through the process of food choices, shopping, reading labels and cooking for our new lifestyle.
Kim and Lou Arnone

The TAM program was truly one of the important events in my early retirement years. I was in a group with a priest, a man who did Haiku, an airline pilot, a woman with a malignancy, and my oldest daughter’s grade-school classmate. I will be 91 next year and have never for a moment regretted the investment I made in TAM, in time, money or hard work. David Nelson (and Daisy), Santa Rosa

In 2000 I had a heart attack. After angioplasty, one of the nurses recommended the TAM Program. This program gave me some skills that I continue to use today. It taught me about the importance of exercise, diet, and relaxation, as well as enabling me to make these a part of my life. I feel lucky to be alive, and I am thankful to everyone at the TAM Program. Sukh Oberoi

“I’m doing what I love, performing music at a nightclub in San Rafael. I’m a little older, a little wiser, but a lot healthier thanks to the Heart Health Institute. I went from having a 100%-blocked artery to amazing my doctors with my rapid recovery. I wouldn’t trade that for the world.”
Bob Lewis, 61

“It feels good having some health concerns lifted off of me. Thanks to TAM, I now know how to eat right, keep my stress in check and I have an exercise routine that I can stick with.” Mike McDowd, 46

“As a business owner, stress was taking its toll on me. After learning ways to manage stress at the TAM Program and through a little hard work, I’ve reversed my heart disease and in fact just completed a hike to the top of Mt. Whitney. I thankfully learned that other parts of my body will give out before my heart.”
Glenn Allison, 57

“I’ve just completed the Nike Women’s marathon in San Francisco. I did the TAM Program with my mother and the two of us benefited so much from the support network that we found there. I can hardly believe the progress that I’ve made.”
Pat Doyle, 57

“With the stress management and nutrition tools I have now thanks to the TAM Program, I can continue with my life’s passion: art, and teaching art to others. Stress needn’t disrupt anyone’s life.”
JoAnne McDowell, 63

“I had my initial heart health problems back in 1971, and if you were to tell me then that I’d be getting married in 2010, I wouldn’t believe you. Well that’s exactly what happened just last month, and I know I must to stay on track and continue the heart-healthy efforts that the TAM Program has taught me if I want to stick around for my new wife. None of this would have been possible without the Heart Health Institute.”
Seymour Rubinstein, 76