When most people think about heart health, they think about cholesterol numbers, blood pressure readings, and prescriptions. But cardiovascular disease is more than a numbers game and is still the leading cause of death worldwide. It’s a progressive condition influenced by inflammation, hormone balance, metabolic function, stress, nutrition, and more.
At Vida Revival, Dr. Diana Alavi takes a functional medicine approach to cardiovascular health, going beyond surface-level symptoms to address the root causes of risk. This means looking at the full picture: how your body is functioning on a cellular level, how your environment and lifestyle impact inflammation, and how personalized therapies can help prevent disease before it starts.
Whether you’ve been diagnosed with high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, or have a family history of heart disease, understanding cardiovascular risk from a functional lens can open up new options for prevention, healing, and long-term vitality.
What Are Cardiovascular Risk Factors?
Cardiovascular risk factors are conditions or habits that increase the likelihood of developing heart disease or stroke. Conventional medicine often focuses on a few key markers:
- High LDL cholesterol
- High blood pressure
- Smoking
- Diabetes or prediabetes
- Obesity
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Family history of heart disease
While these are important, they don’t always tell the whole story. Two people with similar lab results can have very different cardiovascular outcomes. That’s because heart disease doesn’t develop in isolation—it reflects deeper imbalances within the body.
A Functional Medicine View: Looking Deeper
In functional medicine, we ask a different set of questions: What’s driving the inflammation that leads to plaque buildup? Why is blood pressure rising in the first place? Are there underlying nutrient deficiencies, hormonal shifts, or gut issues contributing to risk?
This root-cause approach helps uncover factors that are often missed in a routine exam.
Inflammation and Oxidative Stress
Chronic, low-grade inflammation plays a central role in heart disease. It contributes to arterial damage, plaque instability, and blood vessel dysfunction. Inflammation can stem from poor diet, toxin exposure, autoimmune activity, unresolved infections, or even chronic stress.
Functional lab testing often includes markers like:
- High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP)
- Homocysteine
- Fibrinogen
- Oxidized LDL
Addressing these markers early can significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular events.
Insulin Resistance and Metabolic Health
Even in patients without diabetes, insulin resistance is a major driver of cardiovascular disease. It increases triglycerides, lowers HDL (“good” cholesterol), and contributes to blood vessel damage. Many people have metabolic dysfunction years before blood sugar levels rise.
A functional approach includes:
- Fasting insulin and glucose
- Hemoglobin A1c
- Advanced lipid profiles
- Waist circumference and body composition—not just BMI
By improving insulin sensitivity through nutrition, movement, and targeted therapies, long-term risk can be reduced.
Hormonal Imbalances
Hormones play a larger role in heart health than many realize. Low testosterone in men and imbalanced estrogen/progesterone in women can negatively affect lipid profiles, blood pressure, and inflammatory markers. Cortisol, the stress hormone, when chronically elevated, also raises cardiovascular risk.
At Vida Revival, hormone testing is part of a cardiovascular prevention strategy, especially when fatigue, mood changes, or weight gain are present alongside heart risk factors.
Functional Tools to Address Cardiovascular Risk
Dr. Alavi uses a range of advanced therapies that support cardiovascular health at the foundational level. These are often combined with lifestyle strategies for a truly personalized plan.
IV Nutrient Therapy
IV therapy delivers key vitamins and minerals directly into the bloodstream, bypassing digestion and ensuring maximum absorption.
Nutrients that support cardiovascular function include:
- Magnesium: Helps regulate blood pressure and supports blood vessel relaxation
- Vitamin C: An antioxidant that protects arteries from oxidative damage
- Glutathione: Reduces oxidative stress and supports detoxification
- B vitamins: Lower homocysteine levels and support energy metabolism
Patients often notice improved energy and mental clarity, and long-term use can help stabilize inflammation and support vascular health.
Peptide Therapy
Peptides are small chains of amino acids that regulate cellular function. Certain peptides have shown promise in:
- Improving endothelial (blood vessel) function
- Reducing inflammation
- Enhancing metabolic flexibility
- Supporting recovery from cardiovascular strain
These therapies are tailored to the individual and often used to complement nutritional or hormonal protocols.
Bioidentical Hormone Therapy (BHRT)
For patients whose hormone levels contribute to cardiovascular risk, BHRT offers a safe and targeted way to restore balance. Bioidentical hormones mimic those naturally produced by the body and may help:
- Improve cholesterol ratios
- Reduce inflammation
- Support metabolism and energy
- Protect vascular integrity, particularly in postmenopausal women
Careful monitoring ensures therapy is customized and supportive of whole-body health—not just heart health.
Stem Cell Therapy (When Appropriate)
While still evolving, regenerative therapies like mesenchymal stem cells may one day offer direct repair of vascular tissue damaged by chronic disease. These therapies are currently being explored for their potential to reduce inflammation and promote long-term repair in high-risk patients.
Lifestyle Foundations Still Matter
Advanced therapies are powerful, but they’re most effective when paired with the right daily practices. At Vida Revival, Dr. Alavi emphasizes personalized lifestyle medicine as the cornerstone of cardiovascular care:
- Nutrition: Anti-inflammatory, whole-food diets rich in fiber, healthy fats, and antioxidants
- Movement: A balance of cardio, strength, and flexibility training adapted to your body
- Stress Reduction: Managing cortisol levels through mindfulness, breathwork, or targeted support
- Sleep: Optimizing restorative sleep to support hormonal and metabolic balance
- Detox Support: Identifying and reducing exposure to environmental toxins that can harm the vascular system
With this whole-person approach, prevention becomes practical, and healing becomes sustainable.
Who Should Consider a Functional Approach?
Anyone with a personal or family history of heart disease can benefit from a deeper look. This includes individuals who:
- Have “normal” labs but still feel off
- Experience fatigue, brain fog, or blood pressure fluctuations
- Are already taking medications but want to reduce risk naturally
- Want a prevention plan that’s proactive, not reactive
- Are ready to understand the deeper drivers behind their symptoms
Even if you’ve never had a cardiovascular event, early intervention is one of the most powerful tools for long-term protection.
Innovative Functional Health Care from Vida Revival
Cardiovascular disease is not just about cholesterol. It’s about how your body functions as a whole. At Vida Revival, Dr. Diana Alavi brings a functional medicine perspective to heart health, uncovering root causes and designing personalized, science-backed treatment plans that support healing from the inside out.
With therapies like IV nutrients, peptide support, BHRT, and regenerative care, you can take control of your heart health in ways that are preventive, restorative, and aligned with your long-term wellness.
Serving Thousand Oaks, Agoura Hills, Calabasas, Westlake Village, and surrounding Los Angeles County communities. If you’re ready to take a more comprehensive approach to cardiovascular wellness, call 818-232-8432 and schedule your consultation today.
