- Comprehensive Cardiovascular Assessment1

Heart Disease Risk Is More Than High Cholesterol…

Heart disease (or cardiovascular disease) refers to various disorders affecting blood vessels that feed the heart, most often atherosclerosis.

Contributing factors are diverse and interactive, including genetics, diet and lifestyle, age, emotions, hormonal and biochemical balance in the body.

The number one killer in America today, heart disease claims as many lives as the next leading causes of death combined, including cancer, accidents and AIDS.

Nevertheless, this deadly disease is often preventable. Early identification of underlying and early indicators can significantly impact the disease, thereby halting its progression.

Nearly 50% of all heart attack victims have normal levels of traditional early warning markers for cardiovascular disease (CVD), including total cholesterol. For this reason, improved clinical tools are needed to identify patients with a predisposition to CVD who can benefit from timely, preventative intervention. The Comprehensive Cardiovascular Assessment measures state-of-the-art, independent markers that illuminate the clinical complexity of CVD.

What factors contribute to cardiovascular disease?

Ø High blood pressure

Ø High blood cholesterol

Ø Tobacco smoke

Ø Physical inactivity

Ø Obesity and overweight

Ø Diabetes (Type 2)

Ø Increasing age

Ø Male gender

Ø Race

Based on the latest advancements in cardiovascular research, this assessment measures the most important CVD markers available, including crucial new independent factors, a diverse array of lipoproteins, and two computed ratios.

All of these advanced markers play a critical role in assessing the biochemical environment underlying cardiovascular health. This information allows Dr. Hardy to accurately address abnormalities relating to heart and vascular diseases.

It is currently estimated that 57 million Americans—over one-fifth of the entire U.S. population—suffer from some form of cardiovascular disease.

Testing is strongly recommended for patients with the following history or medical conditions

Ø Personal history of myocardial infarction, peripheral artery disease,
or coronary artery disease

What difference will having this set of comprehensive test results make to me?

Prevention! Many of the multiple risk factors for cardiovascular disease can be reduced or eliminated with individualized integrative therapies.

When abnormalities are found with this panel of indicators, a treatment plan can be customized to your specific needs and risk factors. This plan typically includes lifestyle, diet and nutritional recommendations.

Elevated levels have long been associated with increased Coronary-Vascular Disease (CVD) risk

Patients with high levels of HDL have been shown to be at lower risk of CVD than those with lower levels.

The most atherogenic of the lipoproteins, it constitutes the majority of the cholesterol found in the serum.

Higher incidence of M.I. (High LDL is the best predictor of M.I. for men aged 40-60)

High triglyceride levels are an indisputable risk factor for CVD; increasingly shown to be responsive to the carbohydrate concentration in the body.

A general marker of inflammation or infection in the vascular network. Elevated levels have been shown in individuals with mild or subclinical CVD. The high sensitivity assay (hs-CRP) used for this report can detect increases signaling the early stages of disease.

Ø Subclinical or reactivated infections with Chlamydia pneumoniae, H. pylori, EBV, HSV

In states of tissue injury/inflammation, elevated fibrinogen is correlated with early CVD, and is a better marker of risk for a coronary event than is elevated cholesterol.

The best measure of iron deficiency, elevated ferritin is also an important maker of cardiovascular health.

Many studies, including the Physicians’ Heart Study, have demonstrated the association between elevated homocysteine levels and CVD.

Ø Nutritional deficiencies of B12, B6, folate, serine (which may impair methionine metabolism)

Apolipoprotein(a) complexed with LDL. Lp(a) is associated with development of atherosclerosis similarly to LDL; strong indicator for cerebrovascular disease.

is in the OPTIMAL range, suggesting cardioprotection. This ratio is regarded as an important component of cardiovascular risk, the apolipoproteins being a more refined gauge of risk than HDL & LDL levels .

Here are additional tests for Heart Disease that may help determine
the underlying cause of cardiovascular disease

Nutrition

Imbalances in vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and essential fats can impact a variety of cardiovascular functions.

Fatty Acids

Certain essential fats from the diet guard against hardening of fatty deposits in the arteries and influence blood pressure.

Oxidative Stress

A healthy antioxidant defense helps the body defend against heart disease progression mediated by unstable free radicals.

Amino Acids

Imbalances in amino acids such as taurine, methionine, and arginine can contribute to the development of heart disease and its symptoms.

Heavy Metal Toxicity

Hypertension and other cardiovascular problems have been linked to toxic and nutrient element imbalances.

Melatonin

Decreased melatonin promotes increased night-time sympathetic nervous system activity, in turn linked to heart disease.

Genetic Predisposition

Inherited defects in methylation or control of inflammation in the body can influence the course of heart disease.