Taking Care of Your Heart and Your Hormones - Embarking on True Wellness
Written by Dr. Suzanne Tang
February 15th, 2025
February is Women’s Heart Health Month and preventing heart disease is especially near and dear to my heart. Not only because heart disease is the number one cause of death in the US accounting for 50% of deaths in men and women but also because my family is riddled with cardiovascular diseases.
A Family History of Heart Disease
My grandfather died of a heart attack at age 58 before he was about to immigrate to the US. My great-uncles also had the same fate. My beloved grandma, the matriarch and glue of our family, passed away from a stroke alone in her apartment shortly after I graduated from naturopathic medical and acupuncture school.
Understandably, my father, who has high blood pressure and high cholesterol and had heart valve replacement and stent surgeries, is petrified of dying of a heart attack or stroke. He worked hard to take care of us and his extended family, oftentimes neglecting his own health. Plus he loves sweet and savory food and rarely resisted the pastries at 85 degree Bakery or a burger at In-N-Out. Sadly he is on thirteen medications and has been in and out of the hospital multiple times a year over the past several years but his last visit to the ER was a major wake-up call for him. He had a severe allergic reaction to the contrast dye during his CT scan and almost died; not from heart disease but from a medical test. Thank goodness he survived and he is ready to focus on changing his lifestyle, diet, and mindset and reducing his medications. He shared “I think all these hospital visits and medications are killing me. I need to make a change.”
Our DNA is not our destiny! Healthy lifestyle and dietary changes with effective interventions to support our hormones and reduce inflammation and free radical damage can prevent chronic diseases and shift the trajectory of our health from surviving to thriving. I believe and want this, not just for myself and my family, but for everyone. Our bodies are an amazing vehicle for living our full purpose and spending quality time with our loved ones. We cannot fully be in our purpose if we aren’t healthy.
A beautiful hike on a recent family trip. Dad overcame his fears and finished the hike with us!
Hormone Wellness and The Heart
My other passion is hormone wellness and hormones are directly linked to heart health. Peri-menopausal and menopausal women are particularly susceptible to having heart disease, obesity, and Type 2 diabetes. Many patients come to our clinic shocked by their rising cholesterol, blood sugar, and insulin levels and elevated blood pressure as they enter peri-menopause despite a clean diet and an active lifestyle. Peri-menopause often starts in our 40s but can start as early as age 35 and last up to ten years before menopause.
I have also noticed that my hemoglobin A1c, fasting glucose, triglycerides, LDL cholesterol, and apolipoprotein B markers are starting to creep up with a super healthy anti-inflammatory diet and regular exercise. Adding chia seed, basil seed, and flax seed pudding to my diet and heart-healthy supplements berberine and non-flush niacin while also prioritizing sleep and stress reduction has significantly improved my metabolic and cardiovascular markers and metabolism. Deep into perimenopause with my family history, I didn’t waste any time in getting a coronary calcium score test to check whether I have calcifications in my arteries. Thankfully my calcium score was zero but knowing that menopause is just around the corner and that my risk for developing heart disease and Type 2 diabetes significantly increases during this time, I will need to stay on top of my wellness care.
Estrogen and progesterone have a protective effect on the heart and arteries, not to mention the bones, brains, muscles, and skin. A drop in estrogen can lead to fat accumulation in the arteries, narrowing them and increasing coronary artery disease and the risk of stroke or heart attack. A decline in estrogen also raises blood sugar, insulin, and blood pressure, causes weight gain, particularly belly fat, and decreases muscle mass. Early menopause, before the age of 45, incurs a 50% increased risk of heart disease compared to women who went through menopause at the age of 50 - 51! Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is associated with less menopausal weight gain and significantly reduces the risk of a coronary event by 50%.
So many women going through peri-menopause and menopause are suffering from hot flashes, night sweats, anxiety, depression, insomnia, brain fog, fatigue, vaginal dryness or pain, frequent bladder infections, urinary incontinence, osteopenia, loss of muscle mass, joint pain, and weight gain.
These women have been disregarded and ignored because their doctors haven’t been trained in treating menopausal women or aren’t up to date on the research showing that HRT, when implemented at the right time, is safe and effective for treating menopausal symptoms. HRT reduces the risk of death and chronic diseases, such as heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, osteoporosis, and osteoarthritis. Working with a trained hormone wellness specialist is essential to help you through your menopausal journey. Studies show that HRT reduces a coronary event by 50% when it is started within the first ten years of menopause. It also reduces the risk of Alzheimer’s Disease by 45-70% when given within the first five years of menopause, except for women who are 75 years and older. In addition, a healthy dietary and lifestyle-based wellness program with comprehensive testing to identify and treat root causes effectively prevents and treats these chronic diseases.
From Symptom Management to True Wellness
What does a wellness program entail and how can you get started? First, we must rethink healthcare from symptom management to true wellness.
For too long, our healthcare system has focused on treating symptoms rather than addressing the root causes of disease. It’s a model that waits for people to get sick before taking action—where prescription medications, rushed doctor visits, and reactive treatments have become the norm. But what if we flipped the script? What if we prioritized ongoing care, preventative health, and true wellness before symptoms ever appeared?
The reality is that chronic illness is on the rise and the current system profits when people stay trapped in cycles of sickness. The focus has been on managing conditions rather than preventing them in the first place. But we can do better. We must do better. True health means taking care of the whole person—supporting the body, mind, and spirit long before a diagnosis is given.
Introducing a new approach
That’s exactly why we created the Inspire Natural Wellness Member Program—a proactive, personalized approach to health that empowers you to take control of your well-being, rather than waiting for sickness to dictate the course of your life.
Transform Your Health with the Inspire Natural Wellness Member Program - Kickstart Your Journey to Vitality and Sustainable Health!
Part A: Start Your Journey
Step 1: Attend a Free Seminar or Discovery Call
Learn about the program, meet our team, and discover how we can transform your health.
Step 2: Schedule Your Wellness Evaluation (Bring a Loved One!)
Support is key to success! During your consultation, we’ll explore your health goals and challenges.
Step 3: Commit to Your Comprehensive Wellness Plan
Part B: The Comprehensive Wellness Plan
Advanced Testing
Uncover the root causes of your health issues with hormone and functional wellness testing.
Gentle Detoxification
Heal your gut, detox from harmful chemicals, and prepare your body for balance and vitality.
Personalized Plan
Receive a comprehensive plan for nutrition, movement, and mindfulness to fit your needs.
Targeted Supplements
Support your health journey with high-quality supplements based on your unique needs.
Part C: Ongoing Mentorship and Coaching
Stay on track with expert guidance to ensure sustainable success.
Enjoy reoccurring check-ups, community events, health classes, virtual consultations, and more.
Why Choose the Inspire Natural Wellness Member Program?
Empower yourself to take control of your health.
Move beyond survival to a thriving life.
Enjoy time with loved ones and embark on new adventures.
Get expert advice and support from medical professionals.
Subscribe to Your Path to Wellness
What’s Included:
Nutritional counseling
Mindfulness and exercise programs
Supplements tailored to you
Continued mentoring and health coaching
Ready to Reclaim Your Vitality?
Start your wellness journey today – attend a free seminar or book a discovery call. If you are an existing patient, contact our office to schedule your complete wellness evaluation.
We look forward to seeing you and supporting you in your health journey towards true wellness!
Yours in Wellness,
Dr. Suzanne Tang &
The Inspire Natural Wellness Team
Upcoming Classes and Events
Click an image for more information and to register!
Dr Tang’s Recipe Corner
Back by popular demand, Dr Tang’s Chia and Basil Seed Pudding Recipe! Did you know that basil seeds have 15 grams of fiber per serving and are a good source of calcium and iron?
