The BREATHE Technique for Increased Cardiovascular Protection

An experienced cardiologist, John M. Kennedy, MD, teaches his patients about the clear link between stress and cardiovascular health. John M. Kennedy, MD, encourages individuals to manage their stress as a means of reducing risk and offers a framework for doing so in his book The 15-Minute Heart Cure. The method is known as the BREATHE technique.

Controlling daily stress does not require a lot of time or money, but failing to do so puts individuals at risk of cardiac valve disease, congestive heart failure, a heart attack, and arrhythmia. The BREATHE technique is a simple and proven strategy for reducing stress. The acronym stands for beginning, relaxation, envision, apply, treatment, heal, and end. Dr. Kennedy’s book covers each of these steps with specific breathing and guided imagery exercises that people can employ anywhere.

In the book, individuals will find real-life case examples taken directly from the clinic, so that individuals understand how to employee the technique in their daily lives to reduce their stress and lower their risk of damage to their cardiovascular system. Only a few minutes each day are needed to take control of stress and improve overall health.

Data Analytics and Cardiac Disease Risk Factors

Cardiovascular health specialist John M. Kennedy, MD, a recipient of the America’s Top Doctor designation, serves as the medical director of Kindred Health Systems in Los Angeles. As the founder of the mobile app-based Encardia Wellness, John M. Kennedy, MD, is at the forefront of health care technology and medical applications for advanced data analytics.

Scientists and researchers are continuously studying how big data, machine learning, and analytics can be applied to improve cardiac patient outcomes and make preventive medicine more effective.

In 2014, the Harvard School of Public Health entered lifestyle data and the long-term health status of more than 95,000 individuals to pinpoint the most significant indicators for developing cardiovascular disease. The results informed the creation of a predictive analytic tool, the Healthy Heart Score, used by physicians to rate an individual’s risk of heart disease.

Four years later, a team of researchers from Yale University utilized similar methods to create prediction models for people with a recent diagnosis of heart failure. This data will help both clinicians and patients understand the factors that contribute to increasing the lifespan of individuals living with heart disease.

ACC Study Examines CHF in Women with Prior Cardiotoxicity

A board-certified cardiologist with more than 20 years of experience, John M. Kennedy, MD, serves as the medical director of a multidisciplinary team at Kindred Health Systems in Los Angeles. Actively engaged in his profession, John M. Kennedy, MD, is a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology (ACC).

Recent research highlighted in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology shows that young women who have undergone cancer treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy in the thorax area that are associated with a risk of damaging the hear are at a greater risk of developing congestive heart failure (CHF) while they are pregnant or afterward. Researchers looked at data from 78 women who have survived cancer after having received such treatments to determine if there was any correlation to negative heart outcomes either in response to becoming pregnant or postpregnancy.

In examining the data, researchers found a total of 55 patients who had been exposed to anthracycline chemotherapy, while the others were treated with non-anthracycline chemotherapy or had undergone radiation therapy. Of those who received anthracycline treatment, 13 had been diagnosed with cardiotoxicity, and 31 percent of them developed CHF either while they were pregnant or shortly after giving birth.

A Guide to Properly Gripping a Golf Club

The creator of the BREATHE relaxation technique, John M. Kennedy, MD, is a renowned cardiologist who has written dozens of publications and earned several awards for his work. Outside of his role as the CEO of Encardia Wellness, John M. Kennedy, MD, loves playing golf with friends.

During a round of golf, most players grip their club between 70 and 100 times. For this reason, the grip is often the first thing instructors teach their students.

To hold a golf club properly, take the club in your right hand, and hold it out in front of you at a 45-degree angle. Place the grip between the top of the palm and the first knuckles of your left hand, and curl your pinkie, ring finger, and middle finger around the grip. Finally, roll the thumb onto the right side of the grip so that the fleshy part under the thumb presses directly on the handle, and the index finger is curled around under the grip.

At this point, you can check that the positioning is correct. There should be an inch between the end of the club and the top of the grip. Further, the grip should run diagonally along the top of the palm to ensure you have freedom to move your wrist.

Now, it’s time to get your right hand into position. Rest the grip between the palm and first knuckle, and move your right hand toward your left hand. Curl the right pinkie around the index and middle fingers of the left hand, while the right middle and ring fingers curve around the grip. Again, the thumb should be rolled over the left thumb. Both hands should place a comfortable amount of pressure on the club such that there is no tension in the forearms.

The South Bay Bicycle Trail

A graduate of Brown University Medical School, John M. Kennedy, MD, completed his internship and residency at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center before embarking on a medical career that has spanned more than two decades. During his free time, John M. Kennedy, MD, pursues a range of hobbies, including bicycling in the South Bay of Los Angeles.

The temperate climate and beautiful landscape of Southern California offers outdoors lovers and fitness enthusiasts numerous opportunities. Cyclists have no shortage of options for exploring the region by bike. The South Bay Bicycle Trail stands out as one of the most popular routes in the city. 

A paved bicycle path, the South Bay Bicycle Trail spans 22 miles from Will Rogers State Beach at its north end to the Torrance County Beach at its southern terminus. The trail is especially popular because it traverses well-known beaches, including Santa Monica State Beach and Venice City Beach, and allows for easy access to the piers and other attractions of the area. 

The South Bay Bicycle Trail also offers numerous amenities along the route, including access to public restrooms and multiple stands that rent out bicycles, roller skates, and other equipment. However, the trail is one of the most popular in the city and can often get crowded on weekends and later in the day. Those who want to avoid the crowds should consider exploring it in the early morning.

How Stress Impacts the Heart

Renowned heart health specialist and founder of the BREATHE stress reduction technique, John M. Kennedy, MD, has administered care to cardiovascular patients in medical centers across California. An accomplished author and researcher, John M. Kennedy, MD, has spent the majority of his career exploring the links between heart disease and stress.

Stressful situations cause the body to enter the fight or flight response, which can take a toll on the heart. High stress levels have been associated with cardiovascular problems such as hypertension and heart attacks. 

Whether stress is caused by sudden change, chronically difficult circumstances, or an anxiety-related condition, the body responds by producing adrenaline. This triggers the fight or flight response, resulting in increased heart rates and blood pressure. If the stress response is maintained long periods of time, it puts a strain on the cardiovascular system.

During stressful periods, individuals can protect their heart by following a healthy diet, starting an appropriate exercise routine, and engaging in stress-relieving techniques. People with chronic or episodic stress may benefit from more comprehensive lifestyle changes and therapy.