It's well-known that lifestyle changes work wonders for lowering heart disease risk. But sadly, what most physicians do tell their patients is to take a drug -- two-thirds of doctor visits result in a drug being prescribed -- and not much else.

I really believe a large part of the problem is that the vast majority of the physicians are no different from the general population and are clueless about the power and effectiveness of these simple tools to not only prevent but to treat nearly all chronic diseases.

They have been cleverly brainwashed by the existing drug paradigm and/or lack the personal discipline to make these powerful choices in their own life. In other words, it is very difficult to be a strong advocate of these personal health habits when one is not applying them personally. After all, who would believe a 300-pound physician's advice to start exercising?

Cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of death in the United States, but it doesn't have to be that way. Ninety percent of people who had a heart attack also had at least one major risk factor for heart disease (such as cigarette smoking, high cholesterol, diabetes or high blood pressure) that can be easily changed by making smart lifestyle choices.

My strong recommendation to you is to find a healthy doctor who practices what he or she preaches. Why would you want want a health coach who was not congruent?

They need to understand and personally apply lifestyle changes as exercising, eating healthy and releasing negative emotions are nearly always a universally superior alternative to drugs and surgery for addressing a wide range of diseases, including heart disease, diabetes and cancer.

On Vital Votes, reader Cathy from Auckland, New Zealand says:

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