Cardiovascular diseases claim more lives than the other top 4 leading causes of death combined in the U.S. Functional medicine treatments for heart disease target the root causes of poor cardiovascular health. The increasing number of patients around the world suffering from heart disease emphasizes the need for integrative strategies for more effective prevention and treatment. For most types of cardiovascular disease, lifestyle, stress, and diet have a significant impact on the risk and management of all types of heart disease.
To begin your integrative treatment for heart disease, contact us today — virtual appointments are available!
Functional medicine helps you stay proactive about heart disease with:
Cholesterol Management
New research shows that traditional cholesterol tests may be too simplistic. Functional testing may provide a more thorough picture of your overall cholesterol levels & heart disease risk.
Early Detection
A functional provider will help you assess family history and identify your personal risk factors to help you create a heart-healthy plan.
Lifestyle Changes
Stress, mental health, and activity levels are just a few of the ways your daily choices can impact the prognosis of heart disease.
What is Heart Disease?
Heart disease doesn’t refer to just one problem but an umbrella term for various problems that involve the heart muscle itself, your blood vessels, and the way your heartbeats.
Types of cardiovascular diseases include:
- Arrhythmia is an abnormal heart rhythm.
- Atherosclerosis is a hardening of the arteries through the buildup of cholesterol, called plaque.
- Cardiomyopathy makes it harder for the heart to pump blood to the rest of the body. Cardiomyopathy can lead to heart failure.
- Congenital heart defects include any condition present at birth that affects the way your heart works.
- Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the narrowing or blockage of arteries around the heart, usually caused by atherosclerosis
Frequently Asked Questions about Cardiovascular Disease
Does heart disease affect women?
Yes. Especially women who are past menopause should work with their doctor to identify & address risk factors.
Do foods with cholesterol cause heart disease?
Long-term and ongoing studies don’t support a link between intake of dietary cholesterol alone and heart disease.
Should I be worried about a family history of heart disease?
It’s estimated that nearly 80% of cardiovascular disease cases are entirely preventable through diet and lifestyle measures.
Functional Medicine for Heart Disease
Functional treatment for heart disease allows patients to reduce the risk of development and progression of heart disease by addressing a broad range of risk factors. In partnership with your integrative team at CentreSpringMD, we’ll design a treatment plan centered around a whole-body & individualized approach.
Risk factors for heart disease:
- Smoking
- Obesity
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Insulin resistance & diabetes
- Hyperlipidemia (high levels of cholesterol and triglycerides)
- Hypertension (high blood pressure)
- Genetic predisposition
- High stress levels
- Systemic inflammation
- Chronic infections
Testing for Cardiovascular Disease
Measure different risk factors for the various types of heart disease. Your functional medicine doctor will help you determine which of these are right for you and help you interpret your results.
Find out which tests are available at CentreSpringMD to help you be proactive about heart disease.
- Lipid panel to measure total cholesterol, ratio of HDL to triglycerides, and LDL levels.
- Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)
- Genetic testing such as CIMT or MTHFR
- Homocysteine
- Metabolic stress test
- Fasting insulin or HbA1c
- C-RP or High-sensitivity CRP (hsCRP)
- Testosterone levels
- Chronic infections, such as H. pylori and C. pneumoniae
Supporting Services for Cardiovascular Disease Treatment
Health Coaching
Cardiovascular disease is treated through medications and lifestyle modifications, but adhering to a plan is crucial—and also difficult for many patients. Health Coaches provide patient education on the topics of nutrition, physical activity, as well as creating and maintaining behavior change, and integrative treatment strategies.
Chinese Medicine
Chinese herbal medicine has been widely used throughout history to restore balance to the body. Herbal compounds act at cellular levels, including upon vascular cells, endothelial cells, cardiomyocytes, and immune cells without the potential side effects of modern pharmaceuticals. Studies show the safety and effectiveness of traditional Chinese medicine is a promising way for prevention and treatment of patients with cardiovascular diseases.
Chinese medicine has been shown to benefit:
- Cholesterol levels
- Blood pressure
- Stress
- Inflammation
Chinese Medicine is an ancient approach to health based on the holistic understanding of the person: what happens in one part of the body affects the whole body and is deeply connected to the mind.
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