Keep Your Heart Healthy

Understanding and Reducing Your Cardiovascular Risk

Cardiovascular disease remains one of the leading causes of illness in the U.S., yet much of it is preventable. At MI Partner Health our healthcare providers focus on proactive, personalized cardiovascular care. We combine evidence-based nutrition, sustainable lifestyle strategies, and advanced screening to help protect your heart long before symptoms appear.

Nutrition & Lifestyle: The Foundation of Heart Health

Daily habits are where real prevention happens. A Mediterranean Diet, widely supported by cardiovascular research, has been shown to reduce inflammation, improve cholesterol profiles, and lower overall cardiovascular risk. This eating pattern emphasizes:

• Fruits and vegetables

• Whole grains and legumes

• Olive oil as the primary fat source

• Nuts, seeds, and fatty fish

• Limited processed foods, sugar, and red meat

Fiber Supplementation can be a simple, effective addition to a heart-healthy routine when dietary intake isn’t enough. Adequate fiber:

• Helps lower LDL (“bad”) cholesterol

• Improves blood sugar control

• Supports gut health, which plays a role in systemic inflammation

Cardiovascular Screening

Many people with heart disease feel perfectly well until a major event occurs. Traditional risk factors—such as blood pressure, cholesterol, and family history—are important, but they don’t always tell the whole story. Advanced screening allows us to identify silent inflammation, genetic risk, and early plaque buildup, giving you a clearer picture of your true cardiovascular risk.

Advanced Blood Tests

These targeted labs go beyond routine testing and provide deeper insight into your cardiovascular health:

High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hs-CRP)

• Measures low-grade inflammation in the body

• Chronic inflammation is a known contributor to atherosclerosis (plaque buildup)

• Elevated levels may signal higher cardiovascular risk—even with normal cholesterol

Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)]

• A genetically inherited cholesterol particle

• High levels are associated with increased risk of heart attack and stroke

• Particularly helpful for patients with a strong family history of heart disease

Comprehensive Lipid Panel

• Includes total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, and triglycerides

• Helps guide personalized nutrition and treatment decisions

• When combined with hs-CRP and Lp(a), provides a more complete risk profile

Cardiovascular Screening Packages

You may benefit from imaging or electrical assessment of your heart. These screenings are often bundled into cardiovascular prevention packages, making it easier for you to access meaningful data without unnecessary testing.

Coronary Calcium CT Scan

• A quick, non-invasive CT scan that measures calcium buildup in coronary arteries

• Detects early plaque before symptoms develop

• Useful for refining risk and guiding preventive strategies

Electrocardiogram (EKG)

• Evaluates heart rhythm and electrical activity

• Helps identify arrhythmias, conduction abnormalities, or prior silent heart events

A Personalized, Preventive Approach

Cardiovascular care isn’t one-size-fits-all. We help our patients:

• Understand their individual risk factors

• Translate results into clear, actionable next steps

• Build sustainable nutrition and lifestyle plans that fit real life

• Coordinate advanced labs and imaging when appropriate

Take the Next Step

If you’re interested in learning more about your cardiovascular risk—or exploring advanced screening and prevention options—our clinicians can help assess and guide. Contact us, today.