Understanding Heart Disease

Heart disease, also known as cardiovascular disease, refers to a range of conditions that affect the heart and blood vessels. It is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. At You Holistic, we focus on the root causes of these conditions to provide personalized care.

Types of Heart Disease:

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD):

Description: This is the most common type, where the coronary arteries that supply blood to the heart become narrowed by plaque buildup.

Associated Conditions: Hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes, and obesity can exacerbate CAD.

Heart Failure:

Description: When the heart cannot pump blood effectively, leading to fatigue, shortness of breath, and fluid buildup.

Associated Conditions: Often a result of CAD, cardiomyopathy, or past heart attacks.

Arrhythmias:

Description: Irregular heartbeats which can be too fast, too slow, or irregular.

Associated Conditions: Can be linked to electrolyte imbalances, heart attacks, or genetic factors.

Valvular Heart Disease:

Description: Involves damage to or defects in one or more of the heart valves, affecting blood flow.

Associated Conditions: Rheumatic fever, congenital heart defects, or age-related wear and tear.

Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD):

Description: A condition where narrowed arteries reduce blood flow to the limbs, typically the legs.

Associated Conditions: Similar risk factors as CAD, including smoking, diabetes, and high blood pressure.

Associated Conditions and Risk Factors:

• Hypertension (High Blood Pressure): Increases the workload on the heart and arteries, contributing to heart disease.
• Hyperlipidemia (High Cholesterol): Leads to plaque formation in arteries.
• Diabetes: Affects blood sugar levels, which can damage blood vessels over time.
• Obesity: Strains the cardiovascular system and is linked to multiple risk factors.
• Smoking: Damages the cardiovascular system and accelerates artery disease.
• Sedentary Lifestyle: Lack of physical activity can worsen all risk factors.

Functional Medicine Approach:

At You Holistic, we believe in treating the whole person, not just the disease. Here’s how we approach heart disease:

• Personalized Treatment Plans: Based on genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors.
• Nutrition and Diet: Tailored to reduce inflammation, improve lipid profiles, and manage blood sugar.
• Stress Management: Techniques like mindfulness, yoga, or therapy to reduce stress which impacts heart health.
• Supplementation: Where necessary, to address deficiencies or enhance heart function.
• Regular Monitoring: Using advanced diagnostics to track progress and adjust treatments.

Getting Started:

If you or someone you know is dealing with heart disease or its risk factors, we invite you to contact us for a consultation. Our team at You Holistic is dedicated to helping you achieve optimal heart health through a holistic and integrative approach.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call us at 603-309-2030.