By: Dr. Hassan Kafri
When most people think about nutrition and exercise, they immediately connect them to weight loss. But the truth is, the benefits of these lifestyle choices extend far beyond shedding pounds. What we eat, when we eat, how we exercise, when we exercise, and how we manage stress and mood all have profound effects on overall health—especially when it comes to heart disease prevention and blood pressure management. For example:
- Timing matters – Eating too late at night can spike insulin and blood pressure levels.
- Exercise isn’t just about burning calories – A structured exercise plan lowers blood pressure, improves cholesterol, and reduces inflammation even if weight doesn’t change.
- Managing stress is heart care – Chronic stress raises cortisol, which in turn raises blood pressure and disrupts sleep—major contributors to heart disease.
This is why we are expanding our partnership with Enara Health to launch multiple programs focused on cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention. Our new initiative is designed to move beyond weight loss alone and address the full spectrum of heart health through personalized, evidence-based interventions.
Your Personalized Heart Risk Score
Heart disease doesn’t happen overnight. It builds up over years due to high cholesterol, high blood pressure, inflammation, stress, and other lifestyle factors. But many people don’t know their risk—until it’s too late.
That’s where our program comes in. It starts with an ASCVD risk assessment, a simple yet powerful way to predict your risk of having a heart attack or stroke in the next 10 years.
ASCVD stands for Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease, which refers to the buildup of plaque in your arteries—the main cause of heart disease and strokes.
Here’s how the risk assessment works:
- We calculate your personal risk using factors like age, cholesterol levels, blood pressure, smoking history, and diabetes status.
- We go a step further by including hsCRP (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein), a special blood test that detects hidden inflammation—a major cause of heart disease that standard cholesterol tests don’t catch.
- You get a clear, easy-to-understand score that tells you where you stand and what you can do to lower your risk.
Knowing your risk early gives you the power to take action now—before a problem arises.
What Happens After Your Risk Score?
Once we determine your personalized risk, we build a custom prevention plan to target key areas of heart health. Our programs include:
- Hypertensive Reset – A structured program for those with high blood pressure. This plan focuses on diet, exercise, stress reduction, and (if needed) medications to bring your blood pressure back into a healthy range and prevent future damage to your heart and arteries.
- Cholesterol Balance – Our cholesterol management program that helps lower harmful LDL cholesterol, raise good HDL cholesterol, and reduce dangerous inflammation using a mix of nutrition, exercise, and personalized treatment options.
- Smoking Cessation and Behavioral Counseling – Reduce your risk by 50% or more and tackle lifestyle changes that matter most.
Lastly, our traditional weight and obesity comprehensive treatment program.
Enara’s CardioCare Connect isn’t just a one-time assessment—it’s an ongoing partnership in your health:
- Every patient gets a dedicated heart health coach who tracks their exercise, nutrition, and lifestyle habits.
- We monitor your heart health quarterly, making adjustments as needed to ensure lasting progress.
- Digital tools provide real-time feedback on heart-healthy habits.
Why Prevention Matters Now
Heart disease doesn’t happen overnight. It builds over years of small, unnoticed risk factors. The good news? The earlier you take action, the better your long-term heart health.
At Kafri Heart and Vascular, we’re not just treating heart disease—we’re helping you prevent it. Whether you are overweight, at a normal weight, or simply looking to optimize your cardiovascular health.
Ready to take control of your heart health? Join the CardioCare Connect Program today and take proactive steps toward a healthier, longer life.
