Protect Your Heart Before It Asks for Help
Most heart disease builds quietly for years before the first symptom. We look past the basic cholesterol check at blood sugar, inflammation, blood pressure, hormones, sleep and stress, then help you change what's raising your risk while there's still plenty of time.
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What Does Heart Health Care Include?
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States, and much of the risk can be lowered with early action. Key risk factors include family history, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, high blood sugar, excess belly fat, smoking, inactivity, poor sleep and chronic inflammation. For women, risk rises during the menopause transition. At the Osteopathic Center for Healing in Rockville, MD, Dr. Neil Spiegel, DO, MBA and Jennifer Gularson, PA-C, IFMCP focus on prevention, using labs, genetic testing and history to find your risk factors early, then building a plan around food, movement, sleep, stress, weight and hormones. We work alongside your cardiologist and don't provide emergency care.
Source: CDC Heart Disease Facts
What Raises Heart Disease Risk Besides Cholesterol?
The American Heart Association tracks eight things that shape heart health. Four are numbers we measure. Four are things you do every day.
What We Measure
What You Do
What a Quick Checkup Can Miss
Standard visits often stop at a basic cholesterol panel and a blood pressure reading. We also look at inflammation, early blood sugar problems, hormone changes, genetic risk, sleep and stress, because they all feed into heart risk.
How Do Hormones Change Your Heart Risk?
The Menopause Shift
Heart risk climbs during the menopause transition. LDL cholesterol rises, fat moves to the belly and hot flashes have been linked to changes in blood vessels. Research suggests hormone therapy started before 60, or within 10 years of menopause, may lower heart risk for the right patients.
Menopause and perimenopause careTestosterone and Metabolism
Low testosterone tends to travel with belly fat, insulin resistance and low energy, which all affect the heart. When we treat low testosterone, we keep a close eye on heart health and blood work.
Low testosterone careWhat If Heart Disease Runs in Your Family?
If a parent, brother or sister had a heart attack or stroke early, before 55 for men or 65 for women, your own risk is higher. The same goes for families with high cholesterol, high blood pressure or diabetes.
Your genes don't decide everything. Knowing your risk early gives you more years to change it, and that's where prevention does the most good.
Map Your Family History
Who had heart disease, stroke, high cholesterol or diabetes, and at what age. It's one of the strongest clues we have.
Genetic Testing
Testing for inherited factors that affect how your body handles cholesterol and inflammation, so we know what we're working with.
Start Prevention Earlier
Earlier screening, closer monitoring and a plan built around your risk. What you learn can help your family get checked too.
How Do We Lower Your Risk?
Know Your Numbers
A full history, lab work and genetic testing when it fits, to see where you stand and what's driving your risk.
Eat for Your Heart
A Mediterranean-style plan with vegetables, beans, fish, nuts and olive oil, built around foods you'll eat.
Move More
Working up to about 150 minutes a week, at a pace that's safe for you.
Sleep and Stress
Better sleep and real stress tools, because both raise blood pressure and inflammation.
Weight and Hormones
Support with our weight loss program and hormone care when they're part of the picture.
Targeted Support
Supplements or medication when your labs call for them, and regular rechecks to track progress.
Call 911 Right Away If You Have
- Chest pain, pressure or squeezing
- Pain spreading to the arm, back, neck or jaw
- Shortness of breath, cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness
- Sudden face drooping, arm weakness or trouble speaking
We focus on prevention and don't provide emergency care.
How Do We Work With Your Cardiologist?
If you already see a cardiologist, we work alongside them. They handle diagnosis and procedures, and we focus on the day-to-day things that lower your risk, like food, sleep, weight, hormones and inflammation. If something in your labs needs a cardiologist, we'll tell you and help you get there.
Who Will Build Your Plan?
Related: Chronic Inflammation · Healthy Aging · Weight Loss & Peptides
What Do People Ask About Heart Health?
What Raises My Risk of Heart Disease?
The biggest factors are high blood pressure, high cholesterol, high blood sugar, smoking, excess belly fat, inactivity, poor sleep and chronic inflammation. Family history and age matter too.
Does Menopause Raise Heart Disease Risk?
Yes. During the menopause transition, LDL cholesterol tends to rise and fat shifts to the belly, both of which raise heart risk.
Is Cholesterol the Only Number That Matters?
No. Blood pressure, blood sugar, inflammation, weight, sleep and stress all affect heart health. We look at the whole set.
How Can I Lower My Heart Risk Without Medication?
Eating a Mediterranean-style diet, moving about 150 minutes a week, sleeping 7 to 9 hours, managing stress and not smoking all lower risk. Some people still need medication, and we'll tell you if you do.
Does Heart Disease Run in Families?
Yes. If a parent or sibling had heart disease or a stroke early, before 55 for men or 65 for women, your risk is higher. Knowing your family history and genetic risk lets us start prevention earlier.
Do You Offer Genetic Testing for Heart Disease Risk?
Yes. Genetic testing can show inherited risk factors, like how your body handles cholesterol and inflammation, so we can start prevention earlier and tailor your plan. We look at it alongside your family history and labs.
Do You Replace My Cardiologist?
No. We work alongside your cardiologist and focus on prevention and lifestyle, hormones, weight and inflammation.
When Should I Start Thinking About Heart Health?
Now. Heart disease builds over decades, and your 30s, 40s and 50s are the best time to change your risk, especially during perimenopause and menopause.
Request an Appointment
Tell us what you're concerned about, and our team will reach out to schedule your heart health visit.
Let's Look at Your Whole Heart Picture
Book a visit with Dr. Spiegel and Jennifer in Rockville, MD.
Not ready to book? Start with a free 15-minute call