Angina

Why Angina Deserves a Root‑Cause Approach

Angina—chest discomfort due to inadequate blood flow to the heart—signifies more than temporary pain. It’s a warning sign of cardiovascular strain. At Patients Medical in New York City, we use a functional medicine model to go deeper. We uncover the lifestyle, metabolic, inflammatory, and hormonal factors fueling your symptoms—not just mask them with medications.

What Is Angina?

Angina is chest pain or pressure that occurs when your heart muscle doesn’t receive sufficient oxygenated blood. Common triggers include exertion, stress, heavy meals, or cold weather. There are several forms:

  • Stable Angina – Predictable pain with exertion, relieved by rest or nitroglycerin
  • Unstable Angina – New or worsening pain that may signal a heart attack
  • Variant (Prinzmetal) Angina – Caused by coronary artery spasms
  • Microvascular Angina – Pain from small-vessel coronary dysfunction more common in women

Though standard care focuses on medications, we aim to improve outcomes by correcting the root causes.

Common Symptoms of Angina

Be mindful if you feel:

If these occur during rest or progressively, seek immediate evaluation.

Root Causes of Angina

Functional medicine seeks to uncover the why behind your chest pain:

  • Atherosclerosis and endothelial dysfunction
  • Chronic inflammation (e.g., high CRP, rheumatoid conditions)
  • Insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome
  • Microvascular or coronary spasm
  • High stress and cortisol dysregulation
  • Dyslipidemia—oxidized LDL, low HDL
  • Nutrient deficiencies—magnesium, CoQ10, omega‑3s
  • Detox impairment—heavy metals, endocrine disruptors
  • Hormonal imbalance—thyroid, estrogen, testosterone

Diagnostic Testing We Use

We combine conventional and functional labs to fully evaluate cardiac health:  

Resting EKG, stress testing (treadmill or echo)

Coronary calcium score (CT) or CT angiography

Lipid panel—including advanced LDL particle size

hs-CRP, Homocysteine, Lipoprotein(a)

Fasting insulin/glucose, HbA1c, HOMA-IR

Magnesium, CoQ10, omega-3 index

Hormone panel—thyroid, cortisol, sex hormones

Heavy metal and toxin assessment

Autonomic testing for coronary spasms

Integrative Treatments for Angina

Nutritional Therapy

We personalize heart-healthy, anti-inflammatory diets:

  • Mediterranean or plant-forward diets rich in omega‑3s
  • Low-glycemic plans to improve insulin sensitivity
  • Elimination diets to reduce inflammation
  • Adequate intake of magnesium, potassium, and fiber

IV Vitamin & Nutrient Support

Boost cardiac and metabolic health via targeted IV support:

  • Magnesium and vitamin C to relieve spasms and support vessels
  • CoQ10, L-carnitine, and B-complex for energy and mitochondrial health
  • Glutathione detox to optimize endothelial function

Herbal & Nutraceuticals

Evidence-based supplements to complement conventional treatment:
  • Omega‑3 fatty acids – reduce inflammation and platelet aggregation
  • Magnesium threonate or malate – for vascular tone
  • Hawthorn extract – supports coronary circulation
  • Garlic extract – anti-inflammatory and lipid modulation
  • Berberine – metabolic support
All prescribed and monitored by our physicians.

Stress Reduction & Lifestyle Enhancement

Stress is a major driver of angina. We support you through:

  • Breathwork, meditation, and mindful movement
  • Acupuncture to improve vascular and autonomic balance
  • Yoga and gentle aerobic exercises tailored to fitness level

Hormonal & Metabolic Optimization

Balanced hormones and metabolism are key to cardiac resilience:

  • Thyroid and adrenal hormone support
  • Insulin-sensitizing strategies utilizing diet and supplements
  • Weight management protocols to reduce cardiac stress

Real Case Study: John’s Path to Pain‑Free Life

John, 58, arrived with exertional chest tightness and a coronary calcium score of 250. He was overweight, prediabetic, and on statins.

Our approach included:

  • Anti-inflammatory Mediterranean diet with daily omega-3s
  • Magnesium IV support for two months
  • Stress management (yoga, breathwork, acupuncture)
  • Lifestyle coaching for weight reduction and exercise

Results after 5 months:

  • No angina episodes
  • 10% weight loss
  • Improved insulin sensitivity
  • Stabilized arterial plaque and lower CRP

Testimonials

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, many patients improve significantly with integrative lifestyle, dietary, and metabolic interventions.

Absolutely. We coordinate care with your cardiologist or interventionalist for comprehensive, patient-safe care.

Some patients can reduce their medication under medical supervision once underlying issues are addressed.

Yes—stress can trigger coronary spasms and worsen plaque. Our protocol addresses it head-on.

We are out-of-network but provide superbills for possible reimbursement. Some labs and imaging may be covered.

Begin Your Journey with Patients Medical

Patients Medical specializes in gently helping the patient identify the root cause of their medical issues and then assist them to recover from their problems to help them move forward to good health.

Request your consultation today!

To schedule an in person on Tele-medicine appointment, please call our office at (212) 794-8800 or email us at info@PatientsMedical.com We look forward to hearing from you

Our medical center in New York City.

Patients Medical PC
1148 Fifth Avenue, Suite 1B New York, NY 10128

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