Is Heart Disease a Chronic Disease?

Introduction: Why Heart Disease Demands a Whole-Body Approach

Heart disease remains the #1 cause of death in the U.S., affecting millions and often developing silently over years. While conventional medicine focuses on cholesterol and blood pressure, at Patients Medical in NYC, we take a broader, root-cause approach—combining conventional, holistic, and functional medicine to support cardiovascular health from the inside out.

Heart disease is a chronic disease, but that doesn’t mean it’s inevitable—or irreversible.

What Is Heart Disease?

“Heart disease” is an umbrella term for a range of chronic cardiovascular conditions. These include:

  • Coronary artery disease (CAD): Plaque buildup in arteries, reducing blood flow to the heart
  • Congestive heart failure (CHF): A weakened heart that struggles to pump blood efficiently
  • Arrhythmias: Irregular heart rhythms
  • Cardiomyopathy: Disease of the heart muscle
  • Hypertension (high blood pressure): A key risk factor and often a silent killer

Many of these conditions develop gradually, driven by lifestyle, inflammation, metabolic dysfunction, and stress—making them classic chronic diseases.

Common Symptoms of Heart Disease

Heart disease may be silent for years. Warning signs to watch for include:

Root Causes: Why Did You Develop Heart Disease?

Our functional medicine approach digs deeper into the “why”—why your arteries are inflamed, your blood pressure is rising, or your heart is under strain. Common root causes include:

  • Poor diet: High in sugar, refined carbs, seed oils, and trans fats
  • Chronic stress: Raises cortisol and blood pressure
  • Mitochondrial dysfunction: Affects energy production in heart cells
  • Toxin exposure: Heavy metals and endocrine disruptors can damage vascular integrity
  • Leaky gut and inflammation: Systemic inflammation contributes to arterial plaque
  • Insulin resistance & blood sugar imbalance: A major and underdiagnosed driver
  • Nutrient deficiencies: Especially magnesium, CoQ10, B vitamins, and omega-3s
  • Thyroid or adrenal dysfunction: Can elevate cholesterol and affect cardiac rhythm

Advanced Testing We Use to Assess Cardiovascular Risk

We go beyond basic labs to uncover deeper dysfunction:

Lipid particle testing (LDL-P, ApoB, HDL subtypes)

Inflammatory markers (hs-CRP, fibrinogen, homocysteine)

Advanced metabolic markers (HbA1C, fasting insulin, glucose)

CIMT ultrasound for early plaque detection

Heavy metal testing (mercury, lead, cadmium)

Thyroid and adrenal hormone panels

Genetic predispositions (MTHFR, ApoE, etc.)

Micronutrient panels and mitochondrial function tests

Our Integrative Treatment Approach to Heart Disease

Nutritional Therapy

  • Heart-healthy, anti-inflammatory meal plans
  • Mediterranean and DASH-inspired diets
  • Low-glycemic, insulin-balancing approaches

Elimination diets to reduce inflammation triggers

IV Nutrient Therapy

  • CoQ10 for mitochondrial support
  • Glutathione for detoxification
  • Magnesium, B-complex, and taurine for vascular relaxation

Herbal & Nutraceutical Support

  • Omega-3 fatty acids (EPA/DHA)
  • Berberine or inositol for insulin resistance
  • Hawthorn, garlic, and magnesium for blood pressure

Stress Reduction & Heart-Brain Connection

  • Acupuncture, biofeedback, and meditation
  • Adaptogenic herbs (ashwagandha, rhodiola)
  • Heart rate variability training for autonomic balance

Hormone & Thyroid Optimization

  • Treat subclinical hypothyroidism
  • Address cortisol imbalances linked to hypertension and inflammation

Weight & Blood Sugar Management

  • Medically supervised weight loss
  • Intermittent fasting protocols
  • Blood sugar stabilization to reverse metabolic syndrome

Case Study: Robert’s Road to Recovery

Robert, age 60, came to Patients Medical with a history of high blood pressure and borderline diabetes. He had already suffered a mild heart attack and was on four medications—but still felt exhausted and anxious.

Testing revealed:

  • Elevated insulin and inflammatory markers
  • Low magnesium and CoQ10
  • MTHFR mutation affecting detox pathways
  • Signs of adrenal fatigue

We implemented a 4-month integrative plan:

  • Heart-smart diet + elimination of inflammatory foods
  • Weekly IV therapy with glutathione and CoQ10
  • Herbal adaptogens and adrenal support
  • Micronutrient repletion

Within 4 months, his energy improved, blood pressure normalized, A1C dropped from 6.3 to 5.6—and his cardiologist agreed to taper one of his medications.

Testimonials

Frequently Asked Questions

 Yes. It develops gradually and often requires long-term lifestyle and medical management—but it’s not irreversible.

Early stages often can be. With the right combination of nutrition, detox, stress relief, and targeted supplementation, we’ve helped many patients reduce plaque, inflammation, and medication needs.

 Not always. Some patients improve enough to reduce or stop medications—with their doctor’s guidance.

No. We work in conjunction with your cardiologist to give you the most comprehensive care.

 Absolutely. Chronic stress raises blood pressure, disrupts hormones, and damages arteries.

 Yes. Standard labs often miss inflammation, genetic risk, or metabolic issues. We use in-depth testing to uncover what others miss.

 When administered under physician supervision, IV therapies can be extremely beneficial for mitochondrial and vascular support.

 We customize based on your labs, but most plans are anti-inflammatory, low in sugar, and rich in healthy fats and fiber.

CoQ10, magnesium, omega-3s, and B vitamins are often foundational. Others depend on your lab findings.

We are an out-of-network provider but offer superbills for potential reimbursement. Lab work may be partially covered.

Begin Your Journey with Patients Medical

Patients Medical specializes in gently helping the patient identify the root cause of their medical issues and then assist them to recover from their problems to help them move forward to good health.

Request your consultation today!

To schedule an in person on Tele-medicine appointment, please call our office at (212) 794-8800 or email us at info@PatientsMedical.com We look forward to hearing from you

Our medical center in New York City.

Patients Medical PC
1148 Fifth Avenue, Suite 1B New York, NY 10128

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