By Claire Bacon, ACN, CNC
The Heart Sound Recorder is a computer-based, general wellness monitor which uses the principles of auscultation to observe heart sounds. The heart’s reaction to stressors, (such as chemical, nutritional and emotional), can be measured using this type of device. Certain types of heart stressor can be monitored by seeing the rate, rhythm, and tone of the heart cycle.
Your Heart is the Most Important Muscle in the Body.
Every day, your heart beats 100,000 times, sending 2,000 gallons of blood flowing through your body.
History of the Heart Sound Recorder
The Heart Sound Recorder (HSR) was developed in 1937 by Dr. Royal Lee, founder of Standard Process. Dr. Lee recognized the significance of the heart as a diagnostic indicator when he designed the Endocardiograph, an earlier version of the Heart Sound Recorder.
This cardiovascular assessment tool allows us to graph real-time function of the valves. This provides us with valuable information:
- Whether your heart function is optimal
- If your body’s chemistry is balanced
- If your body’s nutritional deficiencies are causing stress on your heart
- Overall motor nerve support and blood viscosity
- specific nutritional support your body needs.
What’s the difference between HSR and an EKG?
In contrast, the electrocardiograph (EKG) records only the surface electrical impulses as it moves through the nerves of the heart tissue. The EKG primarily indicates if the heart tissue has undergone any trauma or permanent damage on an electrical basis. The EKG does not analyze valvular function, muscle efficiency, motor nerve function and blood viscosity. The EKG’s sole purpose is to diagnose disease, while the HSR looks at your heart function to analyze nutrient deficiency, improve health and longevity.
The Heart Sound Recorder provides a picture of heart sounds and analyzes heart function on a graph. We can measure the heart sound as a reflection of balanced body chemistry, nutrition, and overall function of the body’s systems.
The Heart Sound Recorder evaluates several systems, including circulatory, adrenals, kidney function, liver and gallbladder. From this evaluation, we can infer the need for vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids. It is important to emphasize that HSR reflects the efficiency and deficiencies of heart function.
The Heart Sound Recorder, can help detect dysfunctions and deficiencies, thereby helping you make appropriate lifestyle and dietary changes to improve health and wellness.
Three Key Indicators of Heart Health and Function
To function optimally, it is vital for the heart to have the proper nutrients to maintain its correct rate, rhythm, and tone. The Heart Sound Recorder is a general wellness cardiac monitor with a specialized microphone. We place the microphone over each of the four valves of the heart to display specific sounds and movement.
Rate
Your Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) controls the RATE at which your heart beats. The heart rate of your heart is how fast or slow your heart beats. Optimal resting heart rate is 60-80 beats per minutes. Your autonomic nervous system directs functions such as digestion, heart rate, and blood pressure. These functions are strongly influenced by diet, vitamins, minerals, and other lifestyle factors.
One side of your nervous system, sympathetic, controls your “fight or flight” response and can accelerate your heart rate. Meanwhile, the parasympathetic nervous system manages your “rest and digest” response and can slow your heart rat. You need to have a healthy balance between both nervous systems.
Rhythm
The rhythm of your heart is the “lub dub” sound, which pertains to how regular your heart beats. The “lub” sound is associated with S1 and “dub” (S2) should beat in a steady and consistent rhythm. The sounds of the heart should have a specific work to rest ratio. Your heart should be resting twice as long as it is working. We can use the Heart Sound Recorder to observe if your heart is working too hard, or not working hard enough.
The rhythm of your heart can be supported with proper nutrition and essential nutrients, which will help balance heart sounds and function.
Tone
The tone of your heart refers to the strength of the ventricle contractions. This includes the opening and closing of the heart chambers. Using the Heart Sound Recorder we can observe the tone of your heart based on the height and width of the “lub dub” sounds.
Sample of graphs from the Heart Sound Recorder:
What You Can Learn from the Heart Sound Recorder:
- Heart Rate – Is it too fast, too slow, or, just right?
- Heart Rhythm – Is there irregularity, with speeding up and slowing down?
- Heart Tone – Is the valve snapping shut with no signs of weakness? Or is there inefficiency?
- Autonomic Nervous System Balance – Are you constantly “hitting the gas pedal” or “riding the brakes”?
Commonly Recommended Products
There are a variety of Standard Process supplements we typically recommend for cardiovascular issues. These might include:
Cataplex B-Core (Source of Vitamin B4)
- Supports physical and nervous system health.
- Contains B-complex vitamins to support a healthy muscle action and supports a healthy heart.
- Supports energy production in all cells.
- Helps maintain healthy homocysteine levels
- Supports a healthy heart and is beneficial for patients with weak muscle and/or arrhythmia.
Cataplex B2 (formerly Cataplex G – source of Vitamins B2 and B3)
- We call this a “nervous system tranquilizer”
- Maintains nerve health and provides a calmative effect on the nervous system.
- Supports brain and nervous system functions, as well as body’s metabolism.
- Encourages healthy parasympathetic nerve function
Cardiotrophin PMG
- Contains bovine heart extract to support heart muscle function, and normal growth and repair
- Helps support the heart and cardiovascular system for a variety of issues
- Strengthens heart tissue for individuals with weak heart muscle
Cardio-Plus
- Supports the cardiovascular system (multi-vitamin for the heart)
- Provides ingredients with antioxidant activity.
- Supports healthy blood flow and can help individuals with High Blood Pressure
- Supports increased oxygen demand during exercise
Cataplex F
- Supports the body’s inflammatory response function.
- Provides “predigested” Omega-3 fatty acids from plants and calcium for a healthy heart.
- Contains iodine for thyroid support
- Helps improve calcium absorption to maintain a healthy heart
- Promotes healthy skin and hair
Organically Bound Minerals
- Encourages healthy enzyme function and promotes healthy connective tissue.
- Helps maintain proper cellular energy production and provides ingredients with antioxidant activity.
- Contains iodine and potassium from alfalfa and kelp to support proper thyroid function
- Supports nervous system health for patients with unbalanced Autonomic Nervous System.
E-Z Mg
- Plant-based, naturally occurring 5 different forms of magnesium (Mg)
- Helps to ease nervous tension
- Made from key whole-food ingredients: Swiss chard (beet leaf) and buckwheat- both grown on SP’s sustainable and certified organic farm.
Check Your Heart Function Today!
Schedule an appointment for a complete nutritional assessment – using the Heart Sound Recorder or reviewing other appropriate testing.