The Juniper & Oak Wellness Weekly
- Dana King
- Feb 6
- 3 min read
Issue No. 18, February 6, 2026
New to the blog...
Notes on the 23rd Psalm
My dad is a retired pastor. While recently flipping through a storage box from his old office, I found notes someone had given him on the 23rd Psalm. He does not recall who shared these with him.
Here is what I found (with a few additions and adjustments)...
Let's talk about Cardiovascular Disease: what is a Cardiac Calcium Scoring? (what your medical provider wants you to know)...
February is American Heart Month to raise awareness of cardiovascular disease. Today, February 6th, is National Wear Red Day to promote women’s heart disease awareness as this is the No. 1 killer of women. Let’s talk about it!
As the snow slowly melts away, slick and slushy roadways will be replaced with potholes. (As if we didn't have enough already!?!) These damaged roadways are similar to what can happen inside your arteries. Overtime, various wear and tear occurs. Obesity, smoking, elevated blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugars, and heavy alcohol intake can all create damage to your blood vessels similar to the damage snow, ice, and salt make on our roads.
A whole foods diet with lots of greens, daily exercise, and minimizing simple carbs helps prevent this type of damage. It is also important to avoid smoking and limit alcohol.
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention also includes your yearly physical and bloodwork.
A recommended screening for those aged 40-75, is the Cardiac Calcium Scoring (CCS), or Heartview. We know our heart pumps blood to our body but we often forget our heart has a blood supply of its own called the coronary arteries. A CCS takes detailed pictures of this blood supply and can identify any calcified plaque (a mixture of cholesterol, fat and calcium) narrowing your arteries. This narrowing can potentially restrict blood flow to your heart, causing a heart attacks. Calcified plaque can also cause strokes.
This screening is quick, easy, and not very expensive. It usually takes longer to complete the paperwork than it does to complete the screening. It is non-invasive, you will not need an IV or even to change. Just a quick, fancy pic. Some insurances will cover a CCS. If not, the out-of-pocket amount should be less than $100. You can get a CCS at any medical imaging facility. Of note, a Cardiac Calcium Scoring will typically require an order from your provider.
As always, please remember I share information here not as your provider but as food for thought.
Juniper & Oak Wellness Co. exists to help women stop striving and rest in our Savior. Click the booking links below to schedule a Discovery Call, Wellness Coaching Session, or NP Well Care appointment.
What I am loving...
Bulbs! Mid-winter is the perfect time to enjoy a little green inside. Use a pretty container, grab some bulbs from a local garden store and plant away. You will not be disappointed. Check out this IG account for helpful garden tips.
Need "low spice, low angst" book recommendations? Check out this author.
But GOD!
“Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?”
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
1 Corinthians 15:55-58
Cheering you on,
Dana
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