Boost Heart Health and Lower Inflammation with Functional Medicine

Heart disease, along with stroke, remains the leading cause of death in the United States. Based on the latest statistics, these two combined claim more lives than all forms of cancer and chronic lower respiratory disease combined. Yet when thinking of heart disease, many people focus almost exclusively on cholesterol as a measure of risk. While cholesterol is important, it’s only one piece of a much larger puzzle. In my practice, I help patients understand that heart health is about the whole body and not just cholesterol numbers on a lab report.

From inflammation and oxidative stress to insulin resistance, sleep, stress, toxins, and nutrition, multiple factors interact to influence your cardiovascular system. Additionally, one area patients often overlook is oral health, which plays a surprisingly important role in overall heart disease risk.

Beyond Cholesterol: Why the Traditional Approach Falls Short

Many patients think that managing cholesterol alone will protect their hearts. But I regularly see people with “normal” cholesterol who have significant cardiovascular risk, and conversely, patients with elevated cholesterol who are otherwise metabolically healthy.

Functional medicine looks beyond a single marker and asks: What is driving the disease? What are the root causes?

Inflammation: A Key Driver of Heart Disease

Chronic, low-grade inflammation is a major contributor to atherosclerosis. Inflammation can damage blood vessels, promote plaque formation, and accelerate cardiovascular disease, even when cholesterol numbers appear normal. Markers such as high-sensitivity c-reactive protein (hsCRP) and other inflammatory signals can help us identify risk before it becomes symptomatic.

Reducing systemic inflammation through lifestyle, nutrition, and targeted interventions is central to protecting the heart in the long term.

Insulin Resistance and Metabolic Dysfunction

Another often overlooked factor is insulin resistance, a precursor to diabetes and a major contributor to cardiovascular risk. High insulin levels can harm blood vessels, worsen inflammation, and increase oxidative stress. Even modest metabolic dysfunction, like elevated fasting glucose or subtle insulin resistance, can set the stage for heart disease over time.

Addressing diet, physical activity, and weight management early can have a profound effect on long-term cardiovascular health.

Oxidative Stress and Endothelial Health

Oxidative stress occurs when free radicals (molecules that can contribute to significant cell damage)  overwhelm the body’s natural antioxidant defenses, damaging the endothelium - the inner lining of blood vessels. Over time, this damage contributes to plaque formation and increases the risk of heart attacks or strokes. Supporting antioxidant capacity through nutrition and lifestyle is another critical functional medicine strategy. This is why we have Vasolabs come twice a year to our clinic to screen the endothelial lining of our patients’carotid arteries (CIMT) to determine if plaque formation has occurred. This screening will be held on March 4th, 2026 from 9 AM - 5 PM at WeCare Frisco and is open to members, friends and family. Book your spot here before they're gone!

Sleep, Stress, and Heart Health

Quality sleep is essential for cardiovascular function. Poor or insufficient sleep raises inflammatory markers, impairs blood sugar regulation, and contributes to high blood pressure. Chronic stress similarly increases cortisol and triggers sympathetic nervous system activation, further straining the heart. Functional medicine addresses both sleep and stress as foundational pillars of heart health.

Nutrition and Toxins

Nutrition is a cornerstone of functional cardiovascular care. Diets rich in fiber, healthy fats, antioxidants, and whole foods help reduce inflammation, improve lipid profiles, and support metabolic health. Limiting sugar, processed foods, and other pro-inflammatory triggers is equally important.

Environmental toxins, such as certain chemicals and heavy metals, can also promote oxidative stress and vascular injury. Identifying and minimizing exposures, alongside supporting detoxification pathways, helps protect the heart over time.

The Oral Microbiome: A Surprising Factor in Heart Disease

Emerging research has shown a connection between oral health and cardiovascular risk. Poor gum health and an imbalanced oral microbiome, with pathogenic bacterial overgrowth, can increase systemic inflammation. The bacteria in your mouth aren’t just a local issue; they can enter the bloodstream or influence immune function, contributing to endothelial dysfunction and plaque formation.

I recommend patients consider the Simply Perio oral saliva test, which identifies high-risk pathogenic bacteria. This test helps you understand your oral microbiome and address imbalances before they contribute to systemic inflammation and heart disease.

Putting It All Together: A Functional Medicine Approach

At WeCare Frisco, I take a comprehensive view of cardiovascular health. We combine lab analysis, lifestyle evaluation, nutrition guidance, sleep and stress assessment, toxin reduction, and oral microbiome evaluation to create a personalized plan for heart health.

Our goal isn’t to chase perfect lab numbers. It’s to help you feel better, function better, and reduce risk in a sustainable way. By identifying the root causes of inflammation, oxidative stress, metabolic dysfunction, and oral health imbalances, we can intervene early—often before symptoms or serious disease develop.

Take the Next Step Toward Heart Health

Heart disease is complex, but the good news is that it’s also modifiable. By addressing root causes and supporting your body at every level, you can protect your cardiovascular system and improve your overall well-being.

If you’re concerned about your heart health, or if you’ve already taken steps like advanced lab testing or are noticing risk factors, I encourage you to schedule a Foundational Assessment at WeCare Frisco. Together, we can translate data and lifestyle factors into a plan that works for your your heart, your health, and your life.