Cardiometabolic Health

Do you have high cholesterol?

Do you have heart disease or a family history of heart attack or stroke?

LET’S TAKE A PERSONALIZED APPROACH.

Cardiometabolic Risk

Cardiometabolic risk encompasses a cluster of inter-related factors and disorders that increase the risk for cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.

Risk factors include:

  • Dyslipidemia (high LDL, high triglycerides, low HDL)

  • High blood pressure

  • Elevated insulin/blood sugar

  • Abdominal obesity

  • Smoking

  • Family history

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States.

To reduce your risk you need a clear picture of your risk factors. 

Unlike many conventional practitioners, Dr. Nielsen does not rely on cholesterol numbers alone to determine the risk of cardiovascular disease.

There is convincing evidence that reducing risk is not simply a matter of lowering serum cholesterol. In fact, it has been estimated that up to one-half of those who have a heart attack have normal cholesterol levels. Furthermore, driving serum cholesterol to very low numbers is being associated with a significant risk of early cognitive decline. 

Dr. Nielsen takes a personalized approach to cardiometabolic health.  Testing goes beyond basic cholesterol numbers, to include:

  • Advanced lipid fractionation 

  • Blood sugar and insulin

  • Markers of inflammation and oxidative stress

  • Hormones

  • Micronutrient testing

Dr. Nielsen also utilizes state-of-the-art imaging such as coronary artery calcium CT scoring and carotid artery intima-media thickness (CIMT). 

Not Everyone Needs a Statin

Dr. Nielsen does not believe that everyone needs a statin medication as part of their risk reduction strategy. She takes a personalized approach with each patient, utilizing a variety of treatment options to lower risk, including:

  • A “food first” approach

  • Appropriate nutritional supplements

  • Exercise and stress management

  • Hormone balance

  • Gut health

  • Prescription medication when needed (including statins)

For those in which a statin medication is deemed necessary or appropriate, protocols are available to improve statin tolerance and reduce side effects.

Are you ready to get started?