Inflammation and Heart Disease

The development of heart disease is multifaceted and can be influenced by diet, exercise, smoking, blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, etc… Often the conversation about heart disease heavily focuses on cholesterol, or “Good” and “Bad” cholesterol. Though cholesterol plays a significant role in the development of atherosclerosis, it does not give the whole picture.

Evaluating risk for heart disease should include cholesterol (more on this later), but we should also broaden our view to get a more holistic perspective on heart health. To do this I often recommend that we also consider looking at genetic factors and vascular inflammation.

Inflammation is a key player in the development and progression of plaque in our heart, as well as destabilization of plaques. When high amounts of inflammation is present in our arteries, plaques can rupture, leading to a heart attack. By lowering inflammation in the body you can improve heart health and reduce the risk of having a cardiovascular event.

If you are looking for a functional medicine assessment of your heart health, schedule an appointment. Let’s talk about factors that could be influencing your heart health, and together we will develop a personalized treatment plan that address not only cholesterol, but also vascular inflammation.

Dr. Brandon Testa, ND has received advanced training from the Institute of Functional Medicine on cardiovascular and metabolic conditions and offers advanced lab testing to help you better understand your risk of heart disease. He will work with you to provide a personalized treatment plan that can include nutritional recommendations, meal planning, physical activity guidance, and advice on supplemental and herbal treatments.