Not medical advice. I am a software engineer, not a physician. This page documents my own protocol and the research I read while building it. Talk to a qualified clinician before changing your supplementation, diet or any treatment. Lab reference ranges quoted here vary by laboratory and by individual.
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The heart is a muscular pump that beats roughly 100,000 times per day, circulating approximately 7,500 liters of blood through a network of arteries, veins, and capillaries. It delivers oxygen and nutrients to every cell and removes carbon dioxide and metabolic waste. Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death worldwide, yet the majority of risk can be detected decades in advance through advanced blood biomarkers — and substantially reduced with targeted supplementation and lifestyle changes.
Modern cardiovascular risk assessment goes far beyond standard cholesterol panels. These tests detect atherosclerotic risk, vascular inflammation, and early cardiac damage.
| Test | What It Detects | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Lipid Panel (LDL, HDL, Triglycerides) | Standard lipid fractions; triglyceride/HDL ratio is a strong insulin resistance marker | Lab Tests |
| ApoB | Total atherogenic particle count; superior to LDL-C for predicting cardiovascular events | Lab Tests |
| Lp(a) | Genetically determined risk factor; elevated Lp(a) increases heart attack and stroke risk independently | Lab Tests |
| hs-CRP | Systemic inflammation marker; elevated CRP indicates vascular inflammation and plaque instability | Lab Tests |
| Homocysteine | Elevated levels damage arterial endothelium and promote clot formation | Lab Tests |
| NT-proBNP | Cardiac stress marker; elevated levels indicate heart muscle strain or early heart failure | Lab Tests |
| hs-Troponin | Detects microscopic cardiac muscle damage; useful for early subclinical myocardial injury | Lab Tests |
| Calcium (serum) | Abnormal levels affect heart rhythm; also important for coronary artery calcium scoring context | Lab Tests |
These supplements address the major drivers of cardiovascular disease: lipid oxidation, inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, and mitochondrial energy in cardiac muscle.
| Supplement | How It Helps | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Omega-3 (EPA/DHA) | Reduces triglycerides, lowers inflammation, stabilizes cardiac rhythm, improves endothelial function | Omega-3 |
| CoQ10 + PQQ | CoQ10 is essential for mitochondrial energy in cardiac cells; PQQ promotes mitochondrial biogenesis | CoQ10 + PQQ |
| Berberine | Lowers LDL cholesterol, reduces blood glucose, activates AMPK — comparable to metformin in metabolic effects | Berberine |
| Curcumin | Potent anti-inflammatory; reduces hs-CRP, improves endothelial function, inhibits NF-kB pathway | Curcumin |
| Fiber (Psyllium/Oat) | Binds bile acids and lowers LDL cholesterol by 5-10%; improves lipid particle profile | Supplement Stack |
| EGCG (Green Tea Extract) | Antioxidant that reduces LDL oxidation, improves arterial flexibility, and supports healthy blood pressure | EGCG Green Tea |
| Taurine | Amino acid that supports cardiac muscle contractility, acts as an antioxidant, and helps regulate calcium in heart cells | Taurine |
| Magnesium (Glycinate) | Essential for cardiac rhythm regulation, vascular tone, and blood pressure control; deficiency increases arrhythmia risk | Magnesium Glycinate |
2026 ACC/AHA Dyslipidemia Guideline: universal Lp(a) screening now Class I. Published March 2026 in Circulation and JACC, this landmark guideline recommends that every adult have Lp(a) measured at least once in their lifetime (Class I recommendation). Levels above 125 nmol/L (~50 mg/dL) substantially increase cardiovascular risk, reaching levels comparable to familial hypercholesterolemia at 300-400 nmol/L. Because Lp(a) is genetically determined and inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern, elevated levels should trigger cascade screening of first-degree relatives. ApoB testing also received elevated clinical standing, as observational data show ApoB is more strongly associated with cardiovascular events than LDL-C, particularly in patients with elevated triglycerides (>200 mg/dL), diabetes, or low achieved LDL-C (<70 mg/dL).