A significant number of Americans deal with cardiovascular issues each year.

The American Heart Association estimates that in 2019, some 46% of Americans (about 116.4 million) had hypertension. The CDC also reported that cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in men and women in the US. Cardiovascular disease costs the US healthcare system more than 200 billion dollars per year, making it an area of health that deserves a robust preventive approach through patient education. Dr. Mielke, ND, is one of Richmond Natural Medicine’s naturopaths who works with cardiovascular issues.

Q: What are some common cardiology issues that you see with your patients? What are their signs and symptoms?

1. High blood pressure or hypertension which may lead to stroke or kidney damage.
2. Coronary Artery Disease which may lead to a heart attack or angina.
3. Peripheral Vascular (arterial or venous) Disease which may lead to pain, numbness, or weakness.

There are very few symptoms of these conditions until they are well-advanced and have already caused injury. So, screening and prevention are highly important. People who receive regular conventional medical care are screened at every visit for high blood pressure and emergency rooms rule out life-threatening events, like strokes and heart attacks. Conventional cardiology has effective tools for diagnosing and treating advanced cardiovascular disease. Naturopathic medicine can work alongside conventional care in cases of an advanced disease to mitigate future events and any effects of necessary medications.

Q: From a naturopathic perspective, how do you approach cardiology health issues?

Ideally, we prevent significant cardiovascular events from occurring. I “screen” individuals for early signs of health issues that contribute to the above conditions, including sleep, exercise, and diet. Family history also plays an important part in risk assessment of each individual. If a significant risk is identified, then additional investigation is appropriate, which may involve home monitoring, referral to a primary care doctor, or referral to a cardiologist for testing. The detailed health and family history, any blood labs, and advanced testing reports are used to develop an individualized care plan that details naturopathic therapies (independently or in conjunction with conventional medication), lifestyle adjustments, and nutrition upgrades.

It is not uncommon to find people who are starting to experience spikes in blood pressure or “white coat” syndrome, which is elevated blood pressure when visiting the doctor. Prescription medication for lowering blood pressure is not typically used at this point, because it could result in too much lowering of blood pressure and potential injuries from fainting. However, naturopathic medicine has interventions appropriate to modulate blood pressure response before it is chronically elevated. I think it is important to intervene before prescriptions are needed. Spikes in blood pressure during normal daily life are signs that the body is adapting through blood pressure and that adaptive capacity needs to be bolstered for the entire system.

Q: How can naturopathic medicine be used alongside conventional treatment options, including medications?

When cardiovascular disease is already present, I provide support before and after surgery, during cardiac rehabilitation, and in the years following for prevention of a future event. I coach patients regarding appropriate exercise and how to incorporate a heart-healthy diet in real life. Some diet fads are not heart-friendly and genetics play a role in cholesterol management. Naturopathic therapies are useful when an individual’s blood pressure is not well-controlled on pharmaceuticals, managing early kidney disease resulting from hypertension or diabetes, and providing natural medicines if prescription medications are not well-tolerated.

Q: What are some things you highly recommend to your patients for cardiovascular health prevention?

For healthy individuals, there is nothing better than exercise for prevention. High-intensity interval training on a bicycle, treadmill, or elliptical is very efficient. Attending fitness classes with others or scheduling a personal trainer is what keeps some people continuing to meet their fitness goals. If time and conditioning are a challenge, start where you are, walking is awesome!

If you are seeking support with cardiovascular health and would like to incorporate the principles of functional medicine and naturopathic medicine into your health plan. Request an appointment or call our office for more information, (804) 977-2634.