Inflammatory Testing is Essential to Assessing Cardiovascular Disease Risk

When most people think of cardiovascular disease, they typically think of high cholesterol. As a result most people and some doctors, take the narrow approach of testing cholesterol and lowering cholesterol for heart cardiovascular risk and prevention. While elevated cholesterol can be a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, it does not give a full picture of someone’s risk or existence of cardiovascular disease.

In a recent publication in the peer reviewed journal Nutrients from 2018, titled Inflammation, not Cholesterol, is a Cause of Chronic Disease, the authors note that, “that the key to longevity and the prevention of chronic disease development is not the reduction of dietary or serum cholesterol but the control of systemic inflammation.”

At Functional Medicine Colorado, I test cardio specific inflammation risk markers that have proved to be a much more reliable and earlier sign of risk for cardiovascular disease risk compared to a stand alone lipid panel. Many times my patients find that their risk is higher than they think, because the patient has only been measuring basic lipids. Once they receive an online consultation and order an advanced cardiovascular risk profile, they realize that although their cholesterol is within normal limits, their other risk factors for cardiovascular disease are quite high.

The good news is, once my patients are empowered with a better picture of their health, we can address and lower these risk factors using individualized diet, exercise, and supplement plans. This lowers their risk for cardiovascular disease and other chronic diseases as well as allows them to thrive and not just survive.

Contact me today to order an advanced cardiovascular risk profile. Order Your Test