If you have developed cardiovascular health issues, we can help. Working in conjunction with Zurich's best hospitals, we can provide a bespoke and holistic treatment programme to help you create the necessary lifestyle modifications.
At Paracelsus Recovery, we only ever treat one client at a time, so a team of 15+ doctors will be focused exclusively on you and your wellbeing.
Heart disease is an umbrella team used to describe various cardiovascular chronic health conditions. These include coronary artery disease, arrhythmia, heart valve disease, heart failure, etc. The most common type is coronary artery disease (CAS) which affects blood flow to the heart and can lead to heart attacks. It is usually caused by atherosclerosis (blocked arteries).
We understand that being diagnosed with cardiovascular issues is frightening. We also know that those fears are multiplied by ten if you have just experienced a stroke or heart attack. It is daunting to realise your health is in bad shape. It can also be confusing and jolting to learn that some aspects of your lifestyle have contributed to those issues. Anger, guilt and despair or defence mechanisms like denial are common reactions.
However, while heart disease is considered a chronic condition, it is highly treatable. Usually, the first line of defence when dealing with heart disease is to implement lifestyle changes. For example, a low-fat and low-sodium diet, moderate exercise, quitting smoking and limiting your alcohol intake are essential.
If these changes aren’t enough, your doctor may prescribe medication (statins, beta-blockers, aspirin, etc.) to help you manage your symptoms. If these treatments still aren’t effective, you may need surgery. But that is usually only required either post-heart attack or when an individual is very close to one.
At Paracelsus Recovery, we work closely with all hospitals in Zurich, so you can undergo medical treatment and let us support you with the rest. Our holistic treatment programme will help minimise the psychological stress and help you implement the necessary lifestyle changes.
Like all our other treatment programmes, we will conduct an elaborate testing procedure and create a tailored-to-you treatment plan to tackle your specific issues. Our 360-degree consultation process includes numerous disciplines and points of view (medical, orthomolecular, psychological, TCM, physiotherapy, amongst others).
We only ever treat one client at any time to ensure we can provide unparalleled confidentiality and care. It also means that you will have a team of over 20 doctors, psychotherapists, and specialists focused solely on your health and wellbeing.
Atherosclerosis occurs when chronic inflammation over activates the immune system in our artery wall. When this happens, it leads to two outcomes. Firstly, fatty deposits build up and clog the blood vessel. Secondly, these lipids harden and lead to a build-up of plaque in the inner lining of your artery.
As a result, your heart must work harder to push blood through a smaller space. The plague also hardens our artery walls which means the heart must pump blood against an extra resistance (a healthy artery, in comparison, expands when blood moves through it.) This process then spikes up a person's blood pressure and sets the stage for heart health issues like angina, myocardial infractions, transient ischaemic attacks, and strokes. A heart attack occurs when the arteries become so clogged that blood flow to the heart is blocked.
While heart disease is undoubtedly challenging, it is essential to remember that it is widespread. For example, at least 48% of the US population will develop cardiovascular disease. Because it is so common, it also means many treatment options are out there.
Unfortunately, there are numerous medical comorbidities with heart disease. For example, diabetes, hypertension, kidney disease, inflammatory conditions like arthritis and various antipsychotic medications can all contribute to heart disease. Hence, if you are suffering from one of these conditions or are on antipsychotic medication, it is vital to be extra mindful of your heart health. If you are worried that you are not looking after your health and don't even know where to start, we can help you figure all this out.
Substance abuse and alcohol dependence are also strongly correlated with heart disease. The most prominent drugs associated with cardiovascular disease are stimulants and opioid drugs. These increase your risk of developing heart disease because they disrupt the balance of certain neurotransmitters (known as catecholamines) in your brain and body.
Long-term stimulant abuse can lead to heart inflammation and irregularities, which sows the seeds for heart disease. For example, heavy cocaine or methamphetamine abuse hardens the arteries and capillaries associated with our heart. As a result, it can lead to blocked arteries and a heart attack.
We understand that if you are suffering from a dependency, hearing that you are harming your health does little than invoke more stress. But, you can overcome your dependency and restore your health. If nothing else, there are few moments as powerful for our self-esteem
than when you realise that the days of worrying about the health implications of a dependency you cannot control are behind you.
Heart disease refers to various conditions that weaken our heart's ability to pump blood around our body. Sadly, heart disease is one of the most common causes of death in the Western world, causing 1 in 4 deaths in the US every year. The most common types include coronary artery disease, heart valve disease, heart failure, and arrhythmia.
The main signs of a heart attack include chest discomfort (often on the left-hand side). Pain in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw, and stomach is also common. When we say discomfort, although it can vary in intensity, it is usually excruciating and feels like a tightness or heavy pressure. Other signs include shortness of breath, breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea, and light-headedness.
Heart disease treatment usually includes lifestyle modifications and a medication routine. For example, you lower your risk of heart attack by eating a low-fat and low-sodium diet, getting at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise five days a week, limiting alcohol and quitting smoking.
At Paracelsus Recovery, we work in conjunction with your doctor and hospital staff to help you implement the necessary lifestyle modifications and treat any co-occurring substance abuse issue or mental health condition. For example, we have helped numerous clients overcome heart disease and minimise their risk of myocardial infarctions via nutritional supplementation, biochemical restoration, and psychological support. We also have experience in restoring our client's health post-heart attack.
Substance abuse, particularly cocaine, alcohol, and methamphetamine, can dramatically increase your risk of developing a heart condition or experiencing a heart attack. For example, substances increase your heart rate and blood pressure while lowering the heart's oxygen supply. This inconsistency between oxygen and blood flow puts immense stress on the heart. An overdose occurs when a person goes into cardiac arrest, which means their heart has stopped pumping blood around their body (this is different from a heart attack in which blood flow to the heart is blocked).
