Your labs came back “normal,” so your heart must be fine… right? Download this free guide for a practical, whole-body approach to cardiovascular protection, including the functional markers your standard panel is probably missing.
Millions of people are told their bloodwork looks fine every year, while early warning signs of cardiovascular disease go completely untested. Standard panels check the basics, but they routinely miss markers like ApoB, Lp(a), fasting insulin, and hs-CRP that paint a far more accurate picture of what is actually happening inside your arteries.
Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States, and the vast majority of cardiovascular events are preventable. But prevention requires the right information, not just a cholesterol number and a pat on the back.
This free guide by IMA Senior Fellow Dr. Kristina Carman cuts through the noise and gives you a clear, evidence-based roadmap for protecting your heart, starting today.
📖 What’s in the Guide?
This guide covers the essentials of heart health in a concise, patient-friendly format, including:
- 🥗 Nutrition Foundations
- 💊 Targeted Supplements
- 🌿 Herbal and Botanical Support
- 🏋️ Heart Healthy Lifestyle
- 🔬 Functional Markers to Consider
1. 🥗 Nutrition Foundations
Heart-protective eating starts with polyphenol-rich, anti-inflammatory whole foods. This section covers:
- Why “eating the rainbow” is more than a slogan — and which foods deliver the most vascular protection
- The anti-inflammatory fats worth prioritizing (and the ones to avoid)
- The often-overlooked connection between protein, muscle, and long-term cardiovascular risk
- Four categories of foods to limit
2. 💊 Targeted Supplements
Not everyone needs the same stack, and Dr. Carman emphasizes individualizing based on labs. The guide covers five targeted supplements, including:
- Which forms of magnesium are best for cardiovascular support (not all are equal)
- A supplement that’s especially critical if you’re on statins
- The omega-3 markers to watch beyond just “taking fish oil”
- How to support LDL and your microbiome with one addition
3. 🌿 Herbal and Botanical Support
Three botanicals with well-established cardiovascular applications:
- A traditional cardiac tonic used for centuries to support coronary circulation
- One of the most studied natural compounds for cholesterol and platelet health
- A botanical gaining traction for insulin sensitivity and metabolic syndrome
4. 🏋️ Heart Healthy Lifestyle
No overcomplicated protocols here, just consistent, sustainable habits that compound over time:
- Resistance training (3x/week minimum)
- Daily walking
- Prioritize sleep (7-9 hours)
- Stress modulation (breathwork, nature, community)
- Sauna/heat exposure (when appropriate)
5. 🔬 Functional Markers to Consider
This may be the most important section for anyone who has been told their labs “look fine.” Dr. Carman outlines seven functional markers that paint a far more complete picture of cardiovascular risk than standard panels, including:
- Two markers most standard cholesterol panels never test
- A ratio that’s more predictive than LDL alone
- The inflammation marker that can signal trouble years before symptoms appear
- Why fasting insulin belongs on every heart health panel
❤️ The Big Picture
Heart disease is rarely a cholesterol problem alone. It is a metabolic, inflammatory, and lifestyle-driven condition, and protecting your heart goes well beyond a single number on a lab report. This guide offers a clear, practical starting point for anyone ready to take a more complete approach to cardiovascular health. Consistency matters more than perfection.
