Functional Medicine and Heart Disease – Is There Hope Beyond Prescription Drugs?

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, and research continues to show that the traditional approach to heart disease—with an emphasis on prescription drugs to lower cholesterol and blood pressure—is not working. In fact, it may even be making things worse.

The heart disease epidemic is only getting worse. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more people die from heart disease than any other risk factor in the United States. In 2019, 659,041 died from heart disease - or 161.5 per 100,000 individuals.

These numbers are staggering, and they show no signs of slowing down. But there is hope.

Functional medicine is a science-based approach that looks at the whole person to understand the root causes of disease. It considers all the factors that play a role in health, including diet, lifestyle, environment, and genetics.

And it is making a difference. A growing body of research shows that functional medicine can effectively treat and even reverse heart disease.

Read on to learn a bit more about functional medicine and heart disease and how this approach may help those struggling to find relief.

The Link Between Mitochondria and Cardiac Function

Your mitochondria are responsible for producing ATP, which is the energy source for your cells.

So, when your mitochondrial function is impaired, it can decrease ATP production, which can lead to cardiac dysfunction. Additionally, changes in fuel sources can also contribute to cardiac dysfunction.

For example, when fatty acid oxidation increases in patients with obesity and type 2 diabetes, it can increase free radical production, damaging mitochondria and further contributing to cardiac dysfunction. This can lead to a vicious cycle in which impaired mitochondrial function leads to more cardiac damage, and so on.

The Problem with Modern Medicine’s Approach to Heart Disease

Unfortunately, the modern medical approach to heart disease is often focused on symptom management, rather than addressing the underlying causes of the condition.

For example, patients with heart disease are often prescribed beta-blockers and ACE inhibitors to manage symptoms such as high blood pressure and chest pain. While these medications can effectively manage symptoms in the short term, they do not address the underlying causes of heart disease.

Additionally, these medications can have serious side effects, such as fatigue, dizziness, and sexual dysfunction. So, while they may provide some relief in the short term, they are not a long-term solution.

How Functional Medicine Can Help

Functional medicine is a whole-person approach to health care that looks at all factors contributing to a person’s health.

This includes everything from genetics and lifestyle factors to diet and environmental exposures. By considering all of these factors, functional medicine practitioners can develop a personalized treatment plan that addresses the underlying causes of each individual’s heart disease.

For example, if a patient’s heart disease is caused by mitochondrial dysfunction, a functional medicine practitioner may recommend supplements to support mitochondrial function.

They may also recommend lifestyle changes, such as increasing physical activity and eating a healthy diet, to help improve the patient’s overall health.

Additionally, functional medicine practitioners may also recommend detoxification protocols to help remove toxins from the body that could be contributing to heart disease.

Learn More with Dr. Khan and Internal Healing and Wellness

Functional medicine offers a unique and individualized approach to treating heart disease.

By taking into account all factors that contribute to a person’s health, functional medicine practitioners can develop a personalized treatment plan that addresses the underlying causes of each individual’s heart disease.

If you are struggling to find relief from your heart disease symptoms, consider seeking out a functional medicine practitioner to see if this approach may be right for you. With the right partner in your corner, you can finally start feeling better and take steps toward improving your overall health.

Dr. Khan at Internal Healing and Wellness is helping individuals in The Woodlands, TX, and surrounding areas who are looking for an integrative and individualized approach to their health. Schedule a consultation today to see how functional medicine can help you.