Have peace of mind with artery and heart screening

Have you ever wondered if your actual age matches your biological age? Well, a simple new health screening test to check the health of your heart and arteries is now available in Athlone from Dermot Kinahan of Vibrant Health, which will answer that very question and many more on your overall wellbeing. It's something fans of the TV show How Long Can You Live with Dr Mark Hamilton will be very familiar with as participants learn after a series of tests what their estimated life expectancy is in relation to their current physical health - usually it has to be said to utter shock as it's much less than they thought. On foot of that, steps are taken to improve diet, fitness and the tests are taken again some months later to reveal a vast improvement. Tullamore native Dermot Kinahan agrees that the screening is similar to the test on the hugely popular TV programme, but says theirs is actually more advanced and is fully backed by 25 years of medical research. "It's actually six tests in one using a velocity pulse wave system," Dermot explains at the beginning of the consultation before asking me a list of questions in relation to my health and lifestyle. My height, weight, age and blood pressure are all inputted into the computer programme before I slip a clip on my finger, breathe in and out a couple times and let the machine do its job for a couple of minutes. "It's become extremely popular with people. It's non-invasive, it's simple, straightforward and you get a four page report of where you are here and now," Dermot says of what I can expect prior to receiving my all important results checking the state of my arteries, heart rate, BMI and a measurement of the amount of oxygen attached to the haemoglobin cell in the circulatory system. He stresses that the machine is FDA approved and has been tested extensively all over the world and is extremely accurate. Happily, I discover a few minutes later that I'm three years younger on the inside than the outside, meaning my cardiovascular system as tested is similar or better than a 'normal healthy' person of my age and gender. A lower biological age is a good result, Dermot says, however, were the results at the opposite end of the scale, he would recommend a range of changes to diet, lifestyle and nutritional supplements which could improve the situation before getting tested again in a few months. Another thing measured in the test is what's called the Stiffness Index. Dermot says when your heart beats, it produces a pressure wave, known as a pulse wave. The pulse wave in turn, travels at a certain speed, called pulse wave velocity and the speed of the pulse wave is determined by the stiffness in the arteries. Luckily, my reading is in the right green section, but were it negative Dermot, who is also qualified in reiki, EFT and other complimentary therapies, advises he would then look at reviewing lifestyle in terms of smoking, exercise, food, hydration, stress control and supplementation. He points out that the results of the test determine the kind of advice and steps needed to reverse the situation. If necessary, he points out that he would send a client to the doctor and stresses the result does not replace medical advice. 66% is a normal result for the Reflection Index of the test, which examines the health of the inner lining of my arteries and my heart rate was judged a little lower than average but Dermot, who has been involved in the medical industry for 35 years, 17 of which have been with Vibrant Health, explains that it can vary throughout the day depending on your activities. My Body Mass Index (BMI) at 22 is within the right levels for my height and weight, while my SPO2, a measurement of the amount of oxygen attached to haemoglobin cell in the circulatory system comes in at 97.6%. Dermot explains that around the 96% mark is healthy average. My report card from this health test is really positive, good news Mr Kinahan enthuses, considering it is backed by some of the top professors in the world like Professor Basant K Puri and Professor Brian Peskin. Their nutritional supplements also enjoy the support of the top cardio specialists in the UK like Dr Dorian Dugmore, an adviser to doctors working with Premiership footballers. The Soccermate supplement and Parent Essential oils are particularly popular with sportspeople and top athletes, while Go Nutrix, another food supplement he supplies is also proven to lower blood pressure and support healthy blood flow, among its many benefits. He explains that people from 22 right up to 95 come for consultation and have enjoyed great success in improving different areas of their health as a result, bringing their biological age down with some simple changes. He stressed that it's important to say that the test and the result do not replace the necessity, service or advice of medical professionals in any way. The results are information only as an aid to understanding and do not imply or diagnose a medical condition.