Cardiovascular Care: Testing and Treating Heart Disease in Women with Dr. Kristine Burke

Kristine Burke, MD is a triple board-certified Functional Medicine physician, entrepreneur, author, educator, and researcher. She is an expert in the reversal and prevention of chronic diseases such as dementia, diabetes, heart attacks and strokes. She has a special focus on mold-related illness and its connection to many conditions including research into reversing the cognitive decline of Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia. She teaches Functional Medicine in her role as Asst Clinical Professor of Preventive Medicine at Loma Linda University School of Medicine and is the Founder and Medical Director of True Health Center for Functional Medicine in Northern California - a multi-disciplinary practice that delivers personalized primary care with a proprietary data-driven wellness plan that has successfully prevented any heart attacks from occurring among its patients for over a decade. 

 

Together Dr. Burke and I tackle the topic of the leading cause of death in women – heart disease.  Our conversation centers around tactics for improving cardiovascular care in women, including detection, hormonal insights, testing, and treatment particularly for peri- and postmenopausal women. She challenges possible reasons that cardiovascular health has not been not a main concern for many health practitioners and patients, and underscores the importance of supporting balanced hormones and a healthy endothelial glycocalyx.  Dr. Burke shares a variety of clinical pearls for practitioners and highlights the evolving ideas and tactics that she has embraced as additional testing and research has become available in the world of cardiovascular health over her 30 year career, resulting in healthier, stronger aging women. 

I’m your host, Evelyne Lambrecht, thank you for designing a well world with us.

Key Takeaways:

[2:26] Dr. Burke’s transition from traditional to integrative and functional medicine was fueled by the positive results she was seeing in women. 

[4:58] What students can expect from the introductory course to functional medicine at Loma Linda University, and the impact of the course in a variety of professional settings.

[7:28] The detection and hormonal reasons behind the increasing risk of heart disease as the number one killer of women. 

[9:36] Insights into bioidentical hormone replacement and balance for estrogen, progesterone and testosterone in cardiovascular and brain health.

[12:13] Possible reasons that female cardiovascular health is not a key concern for patients and practitioners.

[14:49] Symptoms associated with the majority of Dr. Burke’s peri- and postmenopausal patients. 

[16:37] Key tests that Dr. Burke offers beyond the conventional cholesterol panel work, including an advanced lipid profile and particle risk profiles. 

[22:27] Dr. Burke’s membership-based program gives patients access to multiple scans and tests throughout the year and a multifaceted team of doctors, dietitians and health coaches. 

[26:26] Diet and lifestyle recommendations for effective cardiovascular disease prevention. 

[35:30] The role that alcohol plays in cardiovascular health, particularly in the United States.

[38:07] Practitioner recommendations for explaining endothelial glycocalyx as it relates to the different pathways of nitric oxide production. 

[46:02] Dr. Burke shares powerful success stories of working with the endothelial glycocalyx. 

[48:53] The role of Arterosil in supporting the healthy endothelial glycocalyx and changes to macular degeneration and neuropathy in clinical practices. 

[52:36] Dr. Burke considers potential applications for Vascanox, including poor circulation, erectile dysfunction, and possibly to address lymphedema and encouraging lymphatic flow.

[56:15] Dr. Burke shares her personal favorite supplements, her resilience health practices and one of the many health ideas she has changed her mind about over her years of practice. 

 

Episode Resources:

Dr. Kristine Burke

Design for Health Resources:

Designs for Health

Research Blog: The Postmenopausal Decline of Estrogen and How it May Influence Cardiovascular Health

Blog: The Latest Research on Antioxidative Status for Optimal Cardiovascular Health

Blog: The Intelligent Inner Lining of Blood Vessels: Nutrients that Support Vascular Health

Research Blog: Exploring the Dual Pathways and Nutrients for Enhanced Nitric Oxide Production

Research Blog: The Role of the Oral Microbiome on Nitric Oxide Production and Healthy Blood Pressure

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