Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States. Every year, millions are diagnosed with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, atherosclerosis, arrhythmias, and heart failure.

Most conventional treatments focus on controlling symptoms with medication—lowering blood pressure, reducing cholesterol, or thinning the blood. While these tools can be lifesaving, they rarely address why cardiovascular problems developed in the first place.

At Sheen Vein (Aesthetics and Functional Medicine), we take a different approach. We use functional medicine to look beyond the surface, finding and treating the root causes that contribute to heart and vascular disease. By addressing these deeper imbalances, patients often experience not just improved lab numbers, but better energy, improved circulation, and long-term protection against heart problems.

The Functional Medicine Difference

Functional medicine is an evidence-based, patient-centered approach that focuses on identifying and correcting the underlying causes of disease.

Instead of asking:

“What drug will treat this condition?”

We ask:

“What is causing this condition, and how can we reverse it?”

For cardiovascular health, that means we look at factors like:

• Inflammation and oxidative stress
• Hormone imbalances
• Nutrient deficiencies
• Gut health and microbiome balance
• Insulin resistance and blood sugar control
• Environmental toxin exposure
• Lifestyle stressors

When these factors are optimized, your heart and blood vessels are better able to function the way nature intended.

Why Conventional Cardiology Often Falls Short

Traditional cardiology does an incredible job in emergencies—saving lives during heart attacks, implanting stents, and managing arrhythmias. But when it comes to long-term prevention, the system often defaults to:

• Statins for cholesterol
• Beta-blockers for blood pressure
• Anticoagulants for clot prevention

While these medications have their place, they don’t fix the root issues. For example:

• Statins lower LDL cholesterol but don’t necessarily reduce arterial inflammation.
• Blood pressure drugs lower numbers without improving the health of vessel walls.
• Blood thinners prevent clots but don’t correct the reasons blood is sticky in the first place.

This is where functional medicine fills the gap.

Key Root Causes of Cardiovascular Problems

Through a functional lens, most cardiovascular issues stem from a combination of the following:

1. Chronic Inflammation

Inflammation damages the endothelium, the thin lining inside your blood vessels. This damage makes it easier for cholesterol to penetrate vessel walls and form plaque. Measuring markers like CRP (C-reactive protein) and homocysteine helps identify this hidden risk.

2. Oxidative Stress

Oxidative stress is an imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants in your body. It oxidizes LDL cholesterol, making it far more harmful, and accelerates vessel aging.

3. Nutritional Deficiencies

Magnesium, potassium, CoQ10, vitamin D, omega-3 fatty acids, and nitric oxide precursors are essential for heart and vascular health. Deficiencies can affect everything from blood pressure regulation to heart rhythm.

4. Insulin Resistance and Blood Sugar Spikes

Even without diabetes, blood sugar fluctuations damage vessels, increase inflammation, and make blood more likely to clot.

5. Poor Nitric Oxide Production

Nitric oxide relaxes blood vessels, improves circulation, and protects against plaque buildup. Production naturally declines with age, but the decline is accelerated by poor diet, inactivity, and chronic illness.

6. Gut Health Imbalances

A disrupted microbiome can drive systemic inflammation, produce harmful metabolites, and even influence cholesterol metabolism.

The Functional Medicine Evaluation

When a patient comes to us with cardiovascular concerns, we go far beyond a standard lipid panel. Your evaluation may include:

• Advanced lipid testing – Particle size and oxidation status matter more than total LDL.
• Inflammatory markers – CRP, homocysteine, fibrinogen.
• Micronutrient testing – Identifies deficiencies in heart-critical vitamins and minerals.
• Insulin sensitivity testing – Detects metabolic issues early.
• Gut microbiome analysis – Looks for harmful bacteria that promote vascular inflammation.
• Toxin testing – Heavy metals, mold toxins, and other pollutants that affect vascular health.

This comprehensive picture allows us to build a plan that is truly personalized.

Functional Medicine Strategies for Cardiovascular Health

Our treatment plans combine science-backed interventions in four key areas:

1. Nutrition for Heart Health

We emphasize an anti-inflammatory, nutrient-dense diet that supports vascular repair and optimal circulation.

• More: Colorful vegetables, leafy greens, fatty fish, berries, nuts, seeds, and olive oil.
• Less: Processed foods, refined sugar, trans fats, and excessive alcohol.
• Targeted foods like beets and arugula to boost nitric oxide production.

2. Targeted Supplementation

Based on your test results, we may recommend:

• Omega-3 fish oil – Anti-inflammatory and plaque-stabilizing.
• Magnesium – Supports normal blood pressure and rhythm.
• CoQ10 – Essential for heart cell energy production.
• Vitamin D – Immune and vascular health.
• L-citrulline – Boosts nitric oxide production naturally.

3. Lifestyle and Stress Management

• Regular exercise – Both aerobic and resistance training improve vascular flexibility.
• Stress reduction – Chronic stress elevates cortisol, which raises blood pressure and promotes inflammation.
• Quality sleep – Restorative sleep supports heart repair and hormone balance.

4. Advanced Therapies

For some patients, we add therapies that directly improve endothelial health and circulation:

• Photobiomodulation (PBM) – Uses specific light wavelengths to reduce inflammation, improve nitric oxide production, and support mitochondrial energy in heart tissue.
• Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) Therapy – Improves microcirculation and supports vascular repair.

Case Example: A Functional Approach in Action

A 58-year-old male patient came to us with borderline hypertension, elevated LDL, and fatigue. His conventional doctor recommended starting medication immediately.

Our evaluation revealed:

• Elevated CRP indicating inflammation
• Low magnesium and vitamin D levels
• Early insulin resistance
• Low nitric oxide production

We created a plan that included:

• Anti-inflammatory, low-glycemic diet
• Magnesium glycinate and vitamin D3 supplementation
• Beetroot extract to boost nitric oxide
• A walking and strength-training routine
• PBM sessions to improve endothelial function

After three months, his blood pressure normalized, LDL particle size improved, inflammation markers dropped, and his energy returned—without starting medication.

Why This Matters

A functional medicine approach doesn’t replace emergency interventions—it prevents you from needing them. By addressing inflammation, oxidative stress, and nutrient deficiencies, we reduce the chances of a heart attack, stroke, or heart failure in the first place.

Final Thoughts

Cardiovascular disease is not just a matter of bad luck or genetics—it’s often the result of multiple modifiable factors working silently over time. Functional medicine gives us the tools to identify those factors early and correct them before serious problems occur.

At Sheen Vein (Aesthetics and Functional Medicine), we believe in proactive, root-cause care. Whether you’re trying to prevent heart disease or manage an existing condition, we can help you build a plan that strengthens your heart, improves circulation, and enhances your quality of life.

📍 Serving St. Louis, Sunset Hills, Kirkwood, Webster Groves, and surrounding Missouri communities

📞 Call 314-842-1441 or schedule your consultation online to start your personalized cardiovascular health plan today.

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