Mastering your heart health
A Personalized Guide for Prevention and Wellness
Are you worried about heart disease but unsure where to start? Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of death globally, affecting both men and women. The good news? Many risks are preventable with early detection and proactive care.
At Well Endocrinology, I emphasize comprehensive testing, lifestyle optimization, and tailored interventions to help you protect your heart and overall wellness. Let’s explore how traditional and advanced tools work together to assess your cardiovascular risks and guide your prevention plan.
Risk Stratification: From Lipid Panels to Advanced Markers
The foundation of cardiovascular risk assessment begins with a detailed history, physical exam, and a standard lipid panel. Measures like total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, and triglycerides offer insights into your baseline risk for heart disease. Beyond these numbers, the ASCVD risk score estimates your 10-year likelihood of developing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
Components of the ASCVD Risk Score
Risk categories include:
Low risk: <5%
Borderline risk: 5% to <7.5%
Intermediate risk: 7.5% to <20%
High risk: ≥20%
While the ASCVD score is an excellent starting point, it doesn’t account for factors like genetics or chronic inflammation that can further elevate your risk. For patients in the intermediate risk category, advanced testing can provide a more detailed picture:
Apolipoprotein B (ApoB): Indicates the number of atherogenic particles that can clog arteries, a stronger predictor of cardiovascular events than LDL cholesterol alone.
Lipoprotein(a): A genetically determined marker that independently raises cardiovascular risk.
Non-HDL Cholesterol: Includes all harmful cholesterol particles, particularly valuable for assessing those with diabetes or metabolic syndrome.
These tools refine risk assessment and inform whether interventions like statins or lifestyle modifications are warranted.
Is the Coronary Artery Calcium (CAC) Score Right for You?
For those with intermediate ASCVD risk or conflicting factors, the CAC score can be a game-changer. This non-invasive CT scan detects calcified plaque in the coronary arteries, offering direct evidence of atherosclerosis progression.
Who benefits most from a CAC score?
Patients with an ASCVD risk of 7.5%–20% may use the CAC score to guide treatment decisions. For example:A CAC score of zero suggests little to no plaque, allowing some patients to delay statin therapy safely.
A higher CAC score indicates the presence of calcified plaque and the need for more aggressive prevention strategies.
Strengths and Limitations
While the CAC score identifies calcified plaque, it does not detect soft plaques, which can also signal early arterial damage. Combining CAC results with advanced markers like ApoB provides a more complete risk profile, ensuring decisions are evidence-based and personalized.
By integrating traditional tools, advanced biomarkers, and imaging like the CAC score, we create a tailored prevention strategy to protect your heart health.
Your Comprehensive Heart Health Plan
I take a holistic view of heart health, addressing lifestyle, diet, weight, and more. Your personalized plan may include:
1. Nutrition That Supports Your Heart
A heart-healthy diet is foundational. The Mediterranean or DASH-style diet—rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats—has been proven to reduce cardiovascular risk. Learn more about heart-friendly eating in our blog: Food as Medicine: Nourishing Your Body with a Plant-Based Diet.
2. Exercise and Activity Levels
Regular physical activity strengthens your heart and lowers blood pressure. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous activity weekly, tailored to your fitness level.
3. Weight and Body Composition Assessments
Understanding your body composition (not just your weight) is key. Using advanced tools like InBody analysis, we evaluate fat distribution and muscle mass to create realistic and sustainable goals.
4. Managing Stress and Sleep
Chronic stress and poor sleep take a toll on your heart. Prioritize 7–9 hours of quality sleep and incorporate stress-reducing practices like mindfulness or yoga to improve overall well-being.
5. Family and Hormonal Factors
A family history of early heart disease or hormonal changes (like menopause in women or testosterone imbalances in men) can increase risk. Together, we’ll assess these factors and develop strategies to minimize their impact.
Taking Proactive Steps: Lifestyle Meets Precision Medicine
Wherever you’re starting, these simple habits can help you live a longer, healthier life:
When Lifestyle Alone Isn’t Enough
Sometimes, targeted medical interventions are necessary. Based on your unique risks, you maybe recommended:
Medications: Statins, PCSK9 inhibitors, or newer therapies like bempedoic acid to lower cholesterol effectively.
Hormonal Therapy: Menopause management or testosterone replacement, tailored to individual needs.
Weight-Management Support: Evidence-based treatments like GLP-1 receptor agonists (Wegovy, Zepbound) can aid in weight loss and reduce cardiovascular risks.
Your Heart, Your Future
Heart health is about more than preventing disease—it’s about living life to its fullest potential. At Well Endocrinology, I combine evidence-based testing with holistic care to empower you with actionable strategies that protect your heart and enhance your well-being.
Don’t wait to take control of your heart health. Schedule a consultation today to create a prevention plan tailored to you. Together, we’ll work toward a healthier tomorrow.
