Heart disease remains the #1 cause of death in the United States — for both men and women.
Epidemiology shows:
1 in 5 deaths is due to cardiovascular disease
Men tend to develop disease earlier (40s–50s)
Women often present later and are more frequently misdiagnosed, especially during perimenopause and menopause
Symptoms in women can be atypical (fatigue, nausea, jaw discomfort, shortness of breath)
And here’s the most alarming fact:
Most people find out they have heart disease at their first heart attack.
It should never be that way.
Risk Factors Are More Than Cholesterol
We were taught that high LDL = heart disease.
But modern cardiometabolic medicine tells a different story:
Heart disease is driven by:
inflammation
oxidative stress
insulin resistance
gut dysbiosis
liver health (lipid metabolism)
sleep deprivation
stress, cortisol dysregulation
high blood pressure
hormonal changes
Yes — cholesterol matters. But context matters more.
Two people with identical cholesterol levels can have completely different levels of disease based on inflammation, plaque stability, insulin signaling, and endothelial health.
Sleep Apnea: The Silent Driver
Undiagnosed sleep apnea is one of the most overlooked cardiovascular risk factors.
It increases:
blood pressure
inflammation
arrhythmia risk
insulin resistance
oxidative stress
If you are 40+ with snoring, daytime fatigue, or resistant hypertension — you should be screened for obstructive sleep apnea — full stop.
The Testing Gap: CAC Score vs Cleerly (CCTA)
1. Coronary Calcium Score (CAC)
A quick CT scan that measures calcified plaque.
Great for establishing lifetime plaque burden
Radiation is low
Score of 0 is reassuring, but not perfect (range is 0 to >400)
Does not detect soft plaque (the most dangerous kind)
2. Cleerly Scan (AI-Enhanced Coronary CT Angiography)
This is next-generation imaging. It detects:
Soft plaque (the unstable, rupture-prone plaque that causes heart attacks)
Inflammation
Plaque characteristics
Blood vessel narrowing
Early disease long before symptoms
In functional medicine, this is GOLD.
Because it catches disease before it becomes an emergency.
Why Conventional Medicine Uses These Tools Too Late
Most traditional cardiology testing is only ordered after symptoms appear — chest pain, shortness of breath, abnormal stress tests.
But by then?
Disease is already established.
We have the ability to detect plaque formation years before a heart attack ever occurs — and reverse the trajectory with lifestyle, medications if indicated, nutraceuticals, stress management, sleep optimization, and targeted metabolic work.
Heart disease should be preventable, not predictable.
Where to Start Today
prioritize sleep; screen for apnea
strength train + zone 2 training
stabilize blood sugar
reduce chronic stress and cortisol load
address gut inflammation
optimize thyroid and sex hormones
test early: fasting insulin, ApoB, Lp(a), hs-CRP, CMP, CAC, or Cleerly when appropriate
don’t wait for symptoms
Your heart is one of the most resilient organs in the body — it wants to heal.
You simply need the right data, the right tools, and the right timing.
This information is intended for education and empowerment and should not replace individualized medical guidance from your healthcare provider. For any recommendations or questions, please reach out ❤️ Liz <3