Since 1963, February has been known as American Heart Month in the United States. This national observance was created to raise awareness for the numerous risk factors of heart disease, while also drawing attention to the many healing interventions or modalities that can help you avoid this illness in the first place.  

For this month’s Community Spotlight, it only felt natural to bring in a resident expert on holistic cardiovascular wellness, so I’m honored that Dr. Fred Harvey, the Medical Director of Functional Medicine Florida, was eager to share his vast heart health knowledge. I hope you’ll find our conversation both educational and empowering.  

Natural Awakenings: Considering that February is American Heart Month, what do you want our readers to know about the importance of maintaining cardiovascular wellness and the risk factors of overlooking the health of this vital organ?  

Dr. Fred Harvey: February is known for the hearts we associate with Valentine’s Day, so it’s fitting that we also designate February as American Heart Month. In our culture, we talk a lot about the danger of breast cancer in women, but it’s important to know that heart disease is the primary cause of death for both women and men.  

Heart disease also contributes to various forms of disability. Conventional medicine has powerful interventions for acute cardiac events such as heart attacks. This approach to healthcare also offers some helpful medications to manage the impact of cardiovascular disease. But it’s not enough just to treat the illness symptoms. Health promotion is about making sustainable lifestyle choices that will prevent the onset of disease to begin with.   

NA: What role does functional medicine play in bolstering a person's heart health, and what beneficial alternative or integrative modalities exist to strengthen overall heart health, while preventing the onset of cardiovascular issues?   

Dr. Harvey: According to research from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the number of Americans with at least one disability has increased—so has the gap between healthspan and lifespan. On average, Americans now spend 12.4 years unable to live a full and functional life, often being warehoused in long-term care facilities. You need a strong heart to maintain vibrant health, lower this disability risk, and mitigate the end-of-life disability zone. 

Functional medicine’s focus is on whole-person wellness, rather than the treatment of an acute illness. My goal as a functional medicine doctor is to help you maintain optimal health and function throughout your entire lifespan.  

The field of mainstream cardiology has been successful at promoting stents as a treatment for heart disease. Unfortunately, this is not an effective or beneficial solution. Stents control the symptoms of cardiovascular disease—they can relieve chest pain, but they will not manage the condition itself. Stents do not improve your health or lifespan. On the other hand, eliminating the root causes of heart disease, such as high cholesterol and vascular inflammation, will help reverse this illness altogether.  

Statins are a pharmaceutical tool that can reduce the inflammation in the arteries and lower cholesterol. They are important to take in the immediate aftermath of a heart attack because they’ll mitigate the risk of a second heart attack significantly over the next year. Statins are not without side-effects, however. They can increase the risk of diabetes or kidney problems if you don’t incorporate other healthy changes into your life as well.   

NA: What are some practical, accessible lifestyle habits that would you advise implementing on a daily basis to maintain and optimize heart health?   

Dr. Harvey: Toxicity is a significant contributor to cardiovascular disease. Lifestyle choices that help eliminate those toxins will reduce the inflammation that causes arteries to harden or heart attacks to occur. Daily exercise is one of the most important tools we have to eliminate the toxic burden that often leads to inflammation and ultimately cardiovascular disease.  

Simply walking for 20 minutes each day has been shown to reverse type-2 diabetes ( a common precursor to heart disease). Walking can also alleviate depression, which is sometimes associated with acute cardiovascular events as well.  

Eliminating refined or artificial sugar from your diet is another simple change that will lower the toxic burden on your blood vessels. Avoiding processed meats cured with nitrates and limiting saturated fat consumption can also enhance vascular health. Meanwhile, consuming clean fish oil or eating small fish like anchovies, sardines, and herring will improve your omega-3 balance, which can promote heart function, too. Eating a rainbow of fruits and vegetables will help you absorb essential phytochemicals to increase your metabolism and maintain a strong, robust cardiovascular system.  

Finally, don’t overlook the benefits of a mindfulness practice such as meditation. Our consciousness drives our being. When we spend time with ourselves in silence, listening to that small voice within, we cultivate healing inside ourselves. Helping your own consciousness reach a higher frequency state of love, peace, and joy will nourish physical, mental, and spiritual wellness. It doesn’t have to be complicated—these foundational steps can do wonders to help you strengthen and sustain a healthy heart.  

Dr. Fred Harvey is quadruple board-certified in Internal Medicine, Geriatric Medicine, Functional Medicine, and Holistic-Integrative Medicine. He is the Medical Director of Functional Medicine Florida, where he specializes in chronic illness recovery and prevention, as well as defiant aging practices. For more information on Dr. Harvey and to schedule an appointment, call 941-929-9355 or visit https://functionalmedicineflorida.com/