At South Suburban Family Medicine, we believe in addressing the root causes of heart disease, not just managing symptoms. Our approach recognizes that cholesterol itself is essential for nutrient transport and cellular repair, meaning it’s not inherently “bad.” Instead, factors like inflammation, oxidative stress, and insulin resistance can damage blood vessels, prompting the body to deploy cholesterol as part of the repair process.
Dr. Jeffry Gerber challenges the traditional focus of cholesterol as a primary marker for heart disease, instead, viewing cholesterol as a contributing symptom or repair mechanism. Dr. Gerber emphasizes assessing metabolic markers like insulin resistance and inflammation to evaluate heart disease risk. Through metabolic risk assessments and lifestyle management programs, tackle the root causes such as metabolic syndrome, offering a comprehensive path to wellness.
Metabolic syndrome—a cluster of conditions including insulin resistance, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, unhealthy cholesterol levels, and excess belly fat—is a powerful driver of heart disease and type 2 diabetes. One of its most concerning aspects is hyperinsulinemia or chronically high insulin levels.
When insulin levels are elevated over time, it can trigger a chain reaction of metabolic issues that contribute to inflammation, oxidative stress, and damage to blood vessels. Cholesterol and lipoproteins then try to repair this damage, forming the buildup seen in heart disease. Many people with hyperinsulinemia may have no obvious symptoms, but they’re at increased risk for cardiovascular problems. The traditional approach to heart health is about cholesterol lowering, but that doesn’t address the core metabolic dysregulation that can be at the root of heart disease. Insulin plays a role in heart disease progression and atherosclerosis, which is a chronic inflammatory disease where plaque builds up on artery walls.
At South Suburban Family Medicine, we assess metabolic syndrome thoroughly with advanced testing, including fasting and two-hour insulin levels based on the research by Dr. Joseph Kraft. In Dr. Kraft’s research, at least two-thirds of the population have a problem of hyperinsulinemia. Our clinic has tested post-meal glucose and insulin levels in over 3,000 patients to evaluate insulin imbalance. By identifying hyperinsulinemia early, we can address the root causes of heart disease and take proactive steps to restore heart health.
In our office, we perform standard and advanced lipid testing to get to a comprehensive evaluation fo heart disease risk. Our tests look at total cholesterol, LDL-C, HDL-C, triglycerides, LDL-P, small-LDL-P, sdLDL, ApoB, particle size, and markers of cardiovascular inflammation and oxidative stress. These tests are available through trusted labs like Liposcience NMR, Berkeley Heart Lab, Atherotech VAP, Health Diagnostics Lab HDL, and Cleveland Heart Lab inflammatory testing. We also perform or order cardiovascular imaging studies including carotid intima media thickness (C-IMT), carotid doppler, and EBCT heart calcium scores.
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The Coronary Artery Calcium (CAC) score, determined through a CAC test, is a non-invasive imaging test that uses computed tomography (CT) to detect the presence of calcium within the coronary arteries. This calcium is a marker for atherosclerosis, the buildup of plaques in arteries, which is a significant risk factor for heart disease. The score ranges from 0 (no evidence of coronary artery disease) to the 1000s, indicating severe calcification. A higher CAC score correlates with a higher risk of future cardiovascular events like heart attacks. The test is quick, usually taking less than 15 minutes, and involves minimal radiation exposure, making it a useful tool for assessing heart disease risk beyond traditional risk factors like cholesterol levels or blood pressure. Read more about heart calcium scores.
At South Suburban Family Medicine, we believe in a heart health strategy that leaves no stone unturned. Our holistic and proactive approach combines cutting-edge diagnostics with personalized care plans to not only assess but also prevent heart disease. These services extend beyond diagnosis, providing a pivotal roadmap to a heart-healthy lifestyle.
Connect with us to embark on your journey towards a healthier heart. Whether you’re seeking to prevent heart disease or need guidance on heart nutrition, our services are designed to support you every step of the way.
Mike Mutzel from High Intensity Health visited our office for a chat. In this interview we discuss how the metabolic signature created from blood sugar and insulin imbalance promotes inflammation and oxidative stress. Dr. Gerber also discusses how advanced cholesterol tests, like lipoprotein particle analysis – often touted to be much better than standard tests – are just associations.
Dr. Jeffry Gerber, MD shares studies of insulin resistance and its relation to heart disease risk at a conference in Brisbane, Australia. He mentions a test known as the 5-Hour insulin assay devised by Dr. Joseph Kraft, which is a new method to diagnose diabetes and pre-diabetes. Dr. Gerber shares insights on diet and calcium scans as a proper screening tool for cardiovascular disease.
