A Functional Medicine Approach 

Cardiovascular health is central to overall well-being. Whether you are managing high blood pressure, high cholesterol, a family history of heart disease, or simply want to prevent cardiovascular issues before they arise, functional medicine offers a comprehensive, root-cause approach.

Dr. Marie Andersson is uniquely qualified in this area. In addition to over 27 years of experience in functional and integrative medicine, she holds an Advanced Functional Cardiology Certification from the Association for the Advancement of Restorative Medicine (AARM). This advanced training allows her to identify early cardiovascular risk factors, use cutting-edge diagnostic tools, and create personalized, effective care plans focused on heart health, prevention, and optimal longevity.

Signs and Symptoms of Cardiovascular Imbalance

Many signs of cardiovascular dysfunction can be subtle or mistaken for other issues. Dr. Andersson considers the full range of possible symptoms when assessing heart health, including:

• High blood pressure or wide fluctuations in blood pressure

• Elevated cholesterol or triglycerides

• Chest tightness or palpitations

• Shortness of breath, especially with exertion

• Dizziness or fainting spells

• Fatigue or poor exercise tolerance

• Swelling in the legs, ankles, or hands

• Poor circulation (cold hands/feet)

• Erectile dysfunction or low libido

• Headaches or brain fog

• Family history of heart disease, stroke, or aneurysm

Even in the absence of overt symptoms, hidden inflammation, oxidative stress, and insulin resistance can silently damage the cardiovascular system.

Functional Medicine Testing for Cardiovascular Risk

Unlike conventional testing that often focuses only on total cholesterol or blood pressure, Dr. Andersson uses a broad panel of functional cardiology markers to uncover root causes and guide treatment. Testing may include:

• Advanced Lipid Testing: Particle size and number (LDL-P, HDL subtypes), ApoB, Lp(a)

• Inflammatory Markers: hs-CRP, fibrinogen, homocysteine

• Oxidative Stress Markers: OxLDL, 8-OHdG

• Insulin & Glucose Markers: Fasting insulin, HbA1c, HOMA-IR

• Genetic Markers: MTHFR, ApoE, 9p21 and other SNPs associated with heart disease

• Nutrient Testing: Magnesium, CoQ10, Omega-3 index, B vitamins

• Toxin & Heavy Metal Assessment: Lead, mercury, cadmium—linked to vascular damage

• Mitochondrial Function & Energy Production Markers

These insights allow Dr. Andersson to develop a truly individualized plan for prevention or reversal of cardiovascular concerns.