Your initial workup includes the following:

	A comprehensive personal and family history.
	A thorough physical examination.
	High-resolution blood vessel imaging, a non-invasive procedure utilizing ultrasound to find the degree of atherosclerosis (blockage in the arteries).
	Nutri-scan blood chemistry evaluation, a highly sophisticated nutritional assessment of your functional blood vitamin and mineral levels, including antioxidants. The importance of these nutrients in the body - in particular Vitamin C and E, and beta-carotene - has been well documented both in medical journals and the public media.
	A blood chemistry analysis, including thyroid and hormone levels, is done as part of our general health evaluation.
	Extensive lipid studies are performed, focusing on cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL and LDL.
	A functional cardiac exercise tolerance test, also known as a stress test, may be given to detect signs of premature coronary disease.
	Body composition studies allow us to determine your lean body mass and percentage of body fat.
	Sophisticated ambulatory and transtelephonic cardiac monitoring are performed when deemed necessary.

With the data gathered, our cardiac specialists can begin formulating a recommended, personalized nutritional program focusing on daily vitamin and mineral supplements, weight reduction and exercise. Depending on lifestyle and personal diet, certain patients may require more of certain supplements than others. Weight reduction is similarly an individualized program: some patients are urged to adopt a low-fat, modified carbohydrate-restricted diet - in effect an insulin-regulating diet - while to others we advocate a more intensive lipid-lowering regime as part of an atherosclerosis reversal protocol. Naturally, many factors will determine the exercise routine given to a specific patient. But make no mistake about it: increased age or complicated cardiac problems don't translate to an inability to exercise. All it calls for is a careful evaluation of the type and level of exercise prescribed. We feel exercise is vital for developing and maintaining proper health no matter how old one gets.

We can't stress enough our opinion that "drugs and surgery aren't necessarily necessary" in many cases for the prevention, treatment, and even the after-care of heart disease. We've proven quite often that proper health management can be a viable and successful alternative to angiograms, angioplasty or bypass surgery. However, in those cases where drug therapy, invasive procedures, or surgery is warranted, that is the course of action we prescribe.

In these cases, Dr.Vagnini's decision is based upon his 25 years of experience as a leading cardiovascular surgeon. His wealth of knowledge also uniquely qualifies him as an excellent source for second opinions. In addition to patients considering first time surgery, The Wellness Center also offers consultations in secondary prevention for patients who have already had a heart attack, suffer from angina, or who have gone through any form of invasive surgery, and are looking to avoid further serious health problems.

Get with the Programs!

Our extraordinary successes utilizing nutrition and natural therapies in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases led us to create several additional programs aimed at reducing dependence on drugs and surgery, and concentrating instead on patients taking a more active role in their healthcare. These new offerings include:

Weight Reduction/Control Program
The same truth that applies to treating cardiovascular disease applies to weight reduction and control: no one approach is ideal for everyone. At The Wellness Center, you are part of a custom-designed, medically-supervised weight reduction program, geared to your specific needs and particular lifestyle. No one else receives the exact same program. Your unique treatment is derived from information compiled from the following elements:

	Complete physical examination, personal/family medical history.
	Comprehensive blood chemistries.
	Functional blood vitamin and mineral assay.
	Thorough cardiovascular diagnostic testing.
	Body composition studies.
	Complete digestive analysis including parasite evaluation.
	Extensive studies for food allergies or sensitivities.
	Personalized food regimen, including an insulin-regulating diet program.
	Metabolic-enhancing nutrient program.
	Drug therapy (if necessary) for appetite suppression or behavior therapy.
	Complete glucose/insulin metabolic evaluation.
	Individualized exercise programs

It's important to remember that while weight reduction is desired, life-long weight control is the goal of our programs. Whether you suffer from severe obesity or need to lose 20 pounds, keep it off, and increase your energy levels, the weight reduction/control programs at The Heart Diabetes & Weight Loss Centers of New York can help you help yourself to achieve your ideal body, inside and out.

Osteoporosis Prevention/Treatment
Through the Center's new Osteoporosis Evaluation and Management Program, we employ state-of-the-art bone densitometry to first measure bone density, then calculate the risk or degree of osteoporosis. Nutritional and lifestyle modification therapy is then prescribed accordingly. In certain instances hormone or drug therapy is advised.

Testosterone Supplementation
We've had a great deal of success in treating male sexual dysfunction through our new testosterone replacement program. We've also found it to be effective in the management of male menopause.

"Nothing's Wrong ... But Something's Not Right"
So you've just seen your doctor, and gotten a check-up and blood tests, only to be told there's nothing wrong with you...except for the fact that you don't feel good. Well, just because your doctor didn't find anything doesn't mean there's nothing there. Very few doctors check for nutritional factors when diagnosing patients' problems. For example, maybe certain nutrient levels are off. You may have unknown food allergies. Or any one of dozens of related factors may lie undiscovered because your doctor isn't looking for it.

At The Wellness Center, we practice a program called Nutri-Pharmacology, which simply means treating vitamins and minerals as drugs that help the body maintain proper health.

Following a comprehensive blood chemistry, a nutritional program is specially designed to cleanse your system of damaging, energy-depleting toxins, and improve the vitamin, mineral, and antioxidant levels in your blood. Early indications have shown a significant increase in patients' energy and endurance levels.

Corporate Health Program
In an attempt to combat high medical insurance premiums, and because a healthy, happy employee is a productive employee, many corporate employers have embraced the concept of preventive medicine. Responding to numerous requests and queries, The Heart Diabetes & Weight Loss Centers of New York now offers specialized diagnostic programs aimed at significantly reducing the risk of heart attack and stroke in the workforce.

Our Only Goal is Your Complete Well-Being!
There really is no other place quite like The Heart Diabetes & Weight Loss Centers of New York. Everyone here - from the experienced medical professionals to our dedicated support staff - shares the common desire to help you achieve and maintain good health, and enjoy life to the fullest.

Here's to Your Good Health!
Now, more than ever before, virtually every day brings exciting new advances in medical technology, or significant changes in what medical experts only recently thought of as gospel. The more we learn, the more services we can provide. And the better we're able to provide them.

At the The Heart Diabetes & Weight Loss Centers of New York, we pride ourselves on being at the forefront of the nutritional medicine revolution. We consistently strive to provide our patients, whenever possible, with the latest in non-invasive alternatives to conventional surgical and drug therapies. And we never forget that the most important person in your healthcare picture is you! That's why here is the place for your good health. We look forward to being able to be your healthcare partner. Call today and make an appointment.