"The sovereign invigorator of the body is excercise, and of all the excerices, walking is the best."

~Thomas Jefferson

Frequently Asked Questions

Who benefits from a wellness exam?

A wellness exam benefits any adult who has concerns about his or her health status, particularly regarding heart disease or subtle evidence of potential problems. Heart disease is the number one killer in the United States of both men and women. Unfortunately, the first sign of heart disease is often the heart attack itself, or sudden death.

If you have a family history of heart disease, problem cholesterol, high blood pressure, or diabetes—you may have genetic predispositions to these problems regardless of your fitness level. A thorough wellness exam can also identify potential thyroid, kidney, liver, and other metabolic disorders.

How does your wellness and prevention approach differ from the typical?

While the majority of U.S. healthcare tends to focus on illness, preventive-based medicine focuses on good health. To help people achieve and maintain it, we review each patient’s family and medical history, assess his or her current status, listen to how the patient perceives his or her own health, identify areas that need attention, implement a plan, and follow-up with counseling and education. In short, we come alongside to guide our patients into a lifetime of better, smarter health.

Another important note is that unlike traditional medicine, preventive medicine involves the patient in the decisions and responsibilities for well being. Also, because wellness treats the whole person—physical, spiritual, psychological—preventive practices are more comprehensive than traditional medicine.

And finally, the physician is your partner and coach, not just a specialist attending to one symptom at a time.

What is the best age to pursue preventive health measures?

Generally speaking, the earlier the better. Early detection increases your options for dealing with problems. When health care is avoided or symptoms are neglected, the damage can shorten your life. People with a family history of heart disease, in particular, should begin an aggressive approach to their health in their 20s. Others would be wise to become aggressive about their health by age 35-40.

What if I am not aware of any family members with heart disease?

Genetics are important, but environment and lifestyle can override good genes. As with most diseases, diagnoses before symptoms develop increase your options for less-invasive treatments and your chances for success.

How is a woman’s health package different from a man’s?

Heart disease doesn’t differentiate between sexes, but some issues are gender related. Women’s hormone levels, cholesterol, metabolism and bone strength (which affects osteoporosis) all change, and her health package accounts for those changes.

Are wellness tests uncomfortable or painful?

Physically, they are no more painful than sitting still to draw blood, walking on a treadmill, and lying still for an X-ray or CT scan. Emotionally, a thorough look into one’s health can be difficult to accept. We are aware that for many people this kind of exam is a big step, and we make the experience as positive and pleasant as possible.

How much time do they take?

Time varies with tests and results. At a minimum, expect to spend two to three hours, including the results review with Dr. Lyles. At the most, expect to devote an entire day to testing and personal guidance to set your pace for a healthier lifestyle and follow-up counsel.

What kind of reports do I receive?

You first receive an oral report - a one-on-one meeting with Dr. Lyles. You’ll also receive a lengthy written outline of test results, diet and vitamin recommendations, and medication prescriptions, if needed, and a follow-up plan. A few weeks after the exam, you will receive a complete booklet that contains a summary of your medical history, all final test results, your health plan and your follow-up schedule.

Once I receive a comprehensive exam here, is that it? How does this information fit into my other healthcare?

Once you complete a HeartHealth and Wellness Center program, we stay available for consultations as needed. Or, you may establish a primary care relationship with Dr. Lyles. If an issue is identified that requires a specialist, we will help you locate the appropriate care and follow your case closely with the specialist. If a hospital stay is required, a hospitalist will assume your care, but we remain available for consultation.

Can the HeartHealth and Wellness Center services help prevent cancer?

Some risk factors for heart disease are believed to increase the risk of developing cancer. We access the latest technology to identify all of cancer’s known risks and help you address them. Laboratory testing, preventive screenings, and CT scans help uncover cancer in its early stages—and provide earlier diagnoses, better treatment options, and improved treatment success.

Does the HeartHealth and Wellness Center offer alternative or complementary medical treatments?

Certainly many tests and treatments once considered alternative are now understood to have potential value for some patients. We are open to discussing alternative treatments and will investigate the potential benefit for each patient, case by case. Before pursuing any treatment, we want to understand its potential side effects and impact. We will help patients locate appropriate alternative therapy providers as needed.

What about vitamin and herb supplements?

In the last decade, vitamins and herbs have received considerable attention—much of it driven by the supplement industry. Unlike prescription drugs, supplements receive inconsistent monitoring. Their claims and safety assurances are difficult to validate, and the industry is not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. The HeartHealth and Wellness physicians and dieticians consider supplement questions case by case. Always notify your doctor and pharmacist of any herbs, vitamins, and over-the-counter medications that you are taking.

What is your opinion on exercise?

Exercise is of universal benefit. We typically encourage a mix of aerobic movement—walking, cycling, swimming, etc.—stretching and strength training. Our approach equips you with a custom exercise plan based on information you provide about your lifestyle, limitations, and preferences. We can also recommend and help you obtain home exercise equipment.

Do you accept health insurance payments?

Most health insurance plans set strict limits on preventive services. To help you recover possible insurance benefits, we provide insurance forms and diagnostic coding, but do not file claims for our patients. For anyone who has completed a HeartHealth and Wellness evaluation, Dr. Lyles can follow up as a primary care physician—and is currently securing preferred provider status with major insurance carriers. Payment in full is required at the time of service and we provide appropriate insurance forms to help you apply for possible insurance reimbursement.