A Functional Medicine Approach to Heart Health: Beyond Statins and Surgery
Here’s a truth I’ve come to know after two decades as a cardiologist and now as a functional medicine-practitioner: your heart’s health is determined long before a stent is needed or a statin is prescribed. If you are aged 35 to 65, the choices you make now—around nutrition, inflammation, stress and metabolism—can set the trajectory toward vitality or decline. I’m Dr. Sanjay Bhojraj, and I want to walk you through how a functional medicine approach can change the outcome.
Why Traditional Cardiology Alone Isn’t Enough
In modern cardiology we have powerful tools: imaging, medications, surgeries. But what I discovered early in my career is that treating the event doesn’t always prevent the event from happening in the first place. A blocked artery may get opened, but if the environment that caused the blockage remains unaddressed you are still vulnerable.
Functional medicine shifts the focus. Instead of only managing cholesterol or blood pressure we ask: What underlying metabolic, inflammatory, lifestyle or environmental factors drove the risk? The Institute for Functional Medicine notes that for cardiometabolic dysfunction we must identify underlying inflammation, hormonal imbalances, toxicity and organ dysfunction.
What I offer my patients is a path that goes beyond statins and surgery, not instead of them—but in alignment with them, with a goal for root-cause change.
Key Drivers of Heart Risk and How Functional Medicine Addresses Them
From clinical research and practice the key drivers of heart disease include: chronic inflammation, insulin resistance and metabolic dysfunction, nutrient deficiencies, oxidative stress and disrupted energy production in the heart.
Here is how I approach each:
Inflammation – Elevated hs-CRP, vascular inflammation and immune dysregulation create a fertile ground for artery damage. Functional medicine seeks to reduce inflammation through diet, lifestyle, gut health, toxin elimination and stress modulation.
Metabolic and insulin resistance – High blood sugar and insulin don’t just relate to diabetes; they drive vascular damage, lipid abnormalities and heart stress. I focus on stabilizing metabolism by real-world interventions, not just medications.
Nutrient and mitochondrial support – The heart is a high-energy organ. If the cells cannot produce energy effectively they deteriorate. I use advanced lab markers and targeted strategies to support mitochondrial health, nutrient sufficiency and cellular efficiency.
Lifestyle integration – Exercise, sleep, stress, toxin exposure all affect cardiovascular resilience. I work with patients to treat these as non-negotiable pillars, not optional extras.
A functional medicine cardiologist looks at your system, not just your numbers.
Why Wear This Lens at Ages 35-65
have normal cholesterol, or controlled blood pressure, but you still feel fatigued, notice digestion issues, or carry excess body fat around the middle. These may not trigger alarm bells yet, but they matter.
Research shows that at mid-life the microbiome changes, metabolism shifts, and inflammation begins accumulating in subtle ways. The typical cardiology model may wait for overt events. A functional medicine model intervenes earlier.
In my practice I’ve observed that patients in this age group who engage a root-cause protocol often avoid escalation to statin intensification, repeat interventions or cardiac events. The biggest advantage isn’t quick fix—it’s long-term resilience.
My Approach: The Laguna Institute of Functional Medicine, Well12 and GLP Rescue
t the Laguna Institute of Functional Medicine, I integrated my background as a board-certified interventional cardiologist with functional medicine training. I launched the Well12 program to provide a structured 12-week journey of metabolic and cardiovascular restoration through personalized nutrition, lifestyle and functional diagnostics.
In addition I developed GLP Rescue, in partnership with functional nutritionist Karen Forsyth Duggan, for patients who have been using GLP-1 medications or struggle with metabolic drag. This program emphasizes gut integrity, metabolic reset and cardiovascular support as part of the healing sequence.
When I refer to a “functional medicine cardiologist” what I mean is this: you’re receiving care that blends high-level cardiovascular acumen with deep root-cause inquiry, of which heart health is one output—not the only focus.
Clinical Evidence That Reinforces the Model
Here are a few compelling studies:
The PREDIMED trial found that a Mediterranean-style diet reduced incidence of major cardiovascular events by about 30 percent.
Functional medicine reviews highlight that assessing and correcting underlying factors like inflammation and metabolic dysfunction provides an opportunity to treat cardiovascular disease rather than just manage it. ifm.org
Clinical commentary points out that traditional cholesterol-centric models miss other modifiable risk factors such as insulin resistance, nutrient deficiencies and mitochondrial dysfunction. Michigan Health and Wellness Center
Together these emphasize that your heart’s future is shaped by what’s happening inside your body now.
What You Should Expect When You Work with Me
When you become a patient under this model, here’s what happens:
Comprehensive Assessment – We assess your cardiovascular history, metabolic labs, inflammation markers, lifestyle, diet, sleep, gut health and stress.
Root Cause Mapping – We identify not just “your cholesterol is high” but “why is your cholesterol high? What underlying factors are driving it?”
Customized Intervention – Based on your biology and goals we tailor nutrition, movement, lifestyle and support strategies. I leverage my Well12 framework and GLP Rescue when indicated.
Integration with Conventional Care – If statins or surgery are needed we don’t ignore them; we complement them with a functional medicine foundation.
Long-Term Monitoring – We adjust as you change. Your 45-year-old body will not be identical to your 60-year-old body. We monitor and adapt.
This isn’t about replacing cardiology—it’s about enhancing it.
Why This Matters for You Right Now
If you are 35 to 65 and reading this you likely already feel something. Maybe it’s fatigue after lunch. Maybe your recovery from exercise is slower. Maybe your digestion is off or your waistline is creeping. These are early signals, not minor details.
Functional medicine lets you act before you need another procedure. It gives you leverage. When you intervene with roots in nutrition, metabolic function, lifestyle, and inflammation you create a buffer against future risk.
In my work I’ve seen people avoid escalation into high-dose statins or multiple interventions because we addressed the cause early. And that matters.
Final Thoughts
Heart health is not built in a day. It is the product of years of internal environment, nutrient status, metabolic regulation, inflammation control and lifestyle alignment. As a functional cardiologist, I’ve committed myself to see beyond arteries. I see systems.
At the Laguna Institute of Functional Medicine, through Well12 and GLP Rescue, I offer you a pathway that is evidence-based, personalized and grounded in clinical cardiovascular care. If you are ready to move beyond statins and surgery and into a place of proactive cardiovascular resilience, this approach is for you.
Your heart’s future begins today—and it begins with how you treat your body now.
