Lakeside Community Healthcare Cardiologist Promotes Lifestyle Changes to Improve Health
NORTHRIDGE, Calif., July 27, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Lakeside Community Healthcare, the largest-owned physician network in Southern California, has announced that one of its cardiologists, Heather Shenkman, M.D., has seen a reversal in heart disease, cholesterol, and blood pressure in many of her patients as a result of a plant-based diet.
Dr. Shenkman, who sees patients in Lakeside's multi-specialty clinic in Burbank, is also an Ironman triathlete and vegan. She has competed in several triathlons, including the Maccabiah Games in Israel, where she earned a bronze medal for the United States as a Masters (adult) level triathlete.
"Having worked with Dr. Shenkman for a number of years, it is refreshing to see a physician that really does 'practice what she preaches.' Dr Shenkman is very health conscious and makes it a point to incorporate healthy lifestyle discussions with her cardiac patients," said Jody Knox, Senior Vice President, Medical Group Operations.
In her research as a cardiology fellow, Dr. Shenkman read about the work that Drs. Esselstyn and Ornish had done to successfully reverse heart disease with a plant-based diet, and learned all she could about the topic – including practicing the diet and lifestyle herself. She's been a vegetarian since her teen years and a vegan for 11 years, training off and on for various races, meets, and triathlons and enjoying sports like cycling and swimming.
"In 2015, The World Health Organization found that processed meat causes cancer," she said. "That's why my goal as an interventional cardiologist is to work with each patient, showing them how changing their lifestyle can permanently change their health."
When she meets with new patients, Dr. Shenkman assesses their current diet and exercise regimen, and then discusses what can be done to improve their health and condition by incorporating more fruits, vegetables, and grains into their diets.
For more information or to make an appointment with Dr. Shenkman, call (818) 295-5920.
About Lakeside Community Healthcare
Lakeside Community Healthcare is an IPA with a network spanning more than 5,000 square miles and thousands of healthcare providers. As part of one of Southern California's largest managed health networks, Heritage Provider Network (HPN), Lakeside is dedicated to quality, affordable healthcare – and putting patients' wellness first. For more information, visit www.lakesidemedicalgroup.com.
Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160727/393530
SOURCE Lakeside Community Healthcare
Share this article