Strategies for a Healthy Heart
Are You at Risk for Heart Disease?
Do you have a strong family history of heart disease? Or perhaps your cholesterol is high, and you’re unsure of the best course of action? Heart disease is preventable, and the key to long-term cardiovascular health lies in early detection, comprehensive risk assessment, and a proactive prevention strategy.
Dr. Rajsree Nambudripad, MD, specializes in advanced cardiovascular prevention, using a functional and integrative approach to assess your unique risk factors and develop a personalized plan to optimize heart health.
Comprehensive Cardiovascular Risk Assessment
Dr. Rajsree evaluates your entire health history, lifestyle, genetic predisposition, and specialized laboratory markers to determine your true risk of heart disease. In addition to standard cholesterol testing, she offers cutting-edge cardiovascular diagnostics, including:
- Cardiac Inflammatory Markers – Assessing inflammation in the blood vessels, a key driver of heart disease.
- Advanced Lipid Testing These tests provide a deeper look at cholesterol beyond just LDL and HDL, including:
- Small, Dense LDL – The most dangerous type of LDL, which easily penetrates artery walls.
- Oxidized LDL – A marker of oxidative stress and a key contributor to plaque formation.
- Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] – A genetic risk factor for heart disease that is not detected on standard cholesterol panels. Elevated Lp(a) significantly increases cardiovascular risk.
- Apolipoprotein B (Apo B) – A more accurate measure of atherogenic particles in the blood, offering better risk prediction than LDL cholesterol alone.
- Omega-3 Fatty Acid Profile – Evaluating your omega-3 index, a critical factor in reducing inflammation and cardiovascular risk.
Holistic Strategies to Lower Cholesterol & Inflammation
For patients with high cholesterol or a strong family history of heart disease, Dr. Rajsree employs a holistic, evidence-based approach to improve lipid profiles naturally. She focuses on:
- Dietary Modifications – Optimizing macronutrient balance, increasing fiber intake, and reducing inflammatory foods.
- Targeted Nutritional Support – Key nutrients and natural supplements that support heart health, including:
- Berberine Pro – A natural compound that lowers LDL and blood sugar.
- Red Yeast Rice – A natural alternative to statins that can reduce cholesterol.
- Bergamot – A citrus extract shown to lower LDL cholesterol and improve lipid metabolism.
- Omega 3 Fish Oil – Essential for reducing triglycerides and systemic inflammation.
Dr. Rajsree also weighs the pros and cons of statin therapy for each individual, ensuring that any medication recommendations are fully personalized based on risk factors and genetic predisposition.
Assessing Heart Disease Risk Beyond Cholesterol
While cholesterol is a key marker, plaque buildup in the arteries is the true indicator of cardiovascular disease. Dr. Rajsree frequently utilizes:
- Coronary Artery Calcium (CAC) Scans – A non-invasive imaging test that detects the presence of arterial plaque, helping to determine whether statins or aspirin therapy are necessary.
- Gut Microbiome Analysis – Emerging research links gut inflammation and microbiome imbalances to systemic inflammation and cardiovascular disease. By addressing gut health, Dr. Rajsree helps optimize vascular function and overall metabolic health.
Integrative Approach to Heart Health
In functional medicine, heart disease is not just about cholesterol—it is an inflammatory condition of the blood vessels. Dr. Rajsree’s approach includes:
- Reducing Systemic Inflammation through diet, lifestyle, and gut health optimization.
- Personalized Exercise & Movement Plans to improve cardiovascular function and metabolic health.
- Comprehensive Hormone & Metabolic Testing to assess the role of insulin resistance, thyroid dysfunction, and stress hormones in heart disease risk.
When Specialist Care is Needed
For patients with complex cardiovascular conditions, Dr. Rajsree collaborates with cardiologists for additional cardiac testing a stress test, echocardiogram, or a Holter monitor.
Should You Be Taking a Daily Aspirin?
Aspirin therapy is not one-size-fits-all—the latest research suggests that the benefits depend on individual risk factors. Click here to learn more about Dr. Rajsree’s evidence-based approach to aspirin therapy.
Watch Dr. Rajsree’s Video on Cholesterol Management
To learn more about Dr. Rajsree’s approach to cholesterol, including natural strategies for optimizing lipid health, watch her video above where she explains how to take a functional medicine approach to heart health.
Take Control of Your Heart Health Today
Heart disease is preventable. Whether you have elevated cholesterol, a family history of heart disease, or concerns about inflammation, Dr. Rajsree provides a comprehensive and integrative approach to protect your cardiovascular health for years to come.
Submit an application today to take charge of your heart health.
Dr. Rajsree is a caring and compassionate physician, who is board-certified in both Internal Medicine and Integrative/Holistic medicine. She is passionate about helping patients optimize their health through a preventative approach involving healthy lifestyle, dietary changes, targeted nutritional supplementation, and optimizing hormones. Her practice is unique in the personalized attention she devotes to each and every patient.