Beyond Statins: Holistic Tools for a Stronger Heart 

November 4, 2025

Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in America, claiming nearly 700,000 lives each year. Yet, amid these sobering statistics, widespread misconceptions still cloud our understanding of true heart health. 

For decades, conventional medicine has blamed cholesterol as the primary villain behind heart disease. However, research tells a different story. Inflammation, not cholesterol alone, fuels coronary artery disease. In fact, more than half of all heart attack victims have normal cholesterol levels.¹  

This revelation should cause us to pause and look deeper—not at the number on the lab report, but at the whole picture of how your heart functions within your body’s unique design. 

Cholesterol: Friend, Not Foe 

At the Hotze Health & Wellness Center, we believe that all the negative dialogue around high cholesterol and the fact that you must be on statin drugs to control your cholesterol levels is a myth, to a large degree. We believe that the dialogue is directed by the pharmaceutical companies, who push conventional doctors and providers in this direction because pharmaceutical companies want you on statin drugs. After all, it makes their “cash register ring”!  In fact, your body actually needs cholesterol. It’s essential for building and repairing cell membranes and creating key hormones like progesterone, testosterone, estrogen, and cortisol. It supports brain function, digestion, vitamin D synthesis, and immune balance. 

Yet, statin drugs are prescribed to millions of Americans every year to suppress cholesterol production. Statins block an enzyme in the liver (HMG-CoA reductase), but they also block your body’s ability to produce Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), the molecule that powers your cells’ energy factories. 

When CoQ10 levels drop, your heart struggles to make energy. That’s why many people on statins experience fatigue, brain fog, or muscle pain.² Despite their popularity, studies show statins don’t consistently prevent cardiac events, and in some populations, they may even increase overall mortality.³  Now there may be cases where lowering cholesterol is required, but in my 35 years of experience and personal research, the number of cases should be far fewer than people who are advised they need statin drugs. 

The good news is that you can strengthen your heart naturally through lifestyle and nutritional changes that target the root causes of inflammation.  When you are advised that you need a statin drug, you should immediately become a self-advocate. Ask your provider more questions and do your own research. Look at the side effects and the negatives and then, ultimately, you decide what is right for you. Ask yourself the following questions: Is my cholesterol high enough to go on a statin drug? Is high really a concern for me (there are many factors to consider when working with the right provider)? Can I lower my cholesterol, naturally, by taking healthier steps to improve my lifestyle rather than accepting a prescription drug?  Why am I so eager to take a prescription drug that has unwanted side effects?  Do I really understand cholesterol and the benefits to my body (why don’t my providers educate me on this?), Is there a more natural way for me to accomplish heart health and overall health? Again, only you can decide what is best for you in the end.  However, education is key, and researching statin drugs can make a significant difference in your overall health. 

1. Nourish Your Heart with Anti-Inflammatory Foods 

Food is one of the most powerful tools for heart health. Instead of focusing on restriction, think in terms of nourishment—giving your body what it truly needs to thrive. 

• Choose whole foods. Fill your plate with colorful vegetables, fruits, and healthy fats. 
• Try the Mediterranean diet. Rich in olive oil, nuts, and wild-caught fish, it’s been shown to reduce heart attack risk by up to 30%.⁵ 
• Add omega-3s. Salmon, sardines, or a high-quality fish oil supplement can support heart rhythm and reduce inflammation.⁶ 
• Snack smart. Almonds, walnuts, and seeds deliver healthy fats and plant-based protein. 
• Eat for antioxidants. Berries, spinach, and citrus protect your arteries from oxidative stress. 

One practical step is to set a reminder on your phone to pause and eat mindfully. Slowing down supports digestion and helps you notice what your body needs. 

2. Move Your Body Every Hour, Every Day 

Movement is medicine. Exercise strengthens your heart muscle, improves circulation, and lowers blood pressure while easing the stress hormones that strain your cardiovascular system. 

You don’t need a gym or fancy equipment, just consistency. 

• Walk briskly for 30 minutes a day. 
• If you have a desk job, set an hourly alarm to stand, stretch, or take a few steps. 
• Keep a pair of hand weights nearby and use them while reading emails. 
• Try yoga or Pilates for flexibility and stress relief. 

Even short bouts of activity make a difference. Research shows that combining aerobic exercise, such as walking or biking, with resistance training provides the greatest benefit for heart health.⁹ ¹⁰ 

3. Calm the Mind to Protect the Heart 

Chronic stress quietly wears down the cardiovascular system. It raises blood pressure, triggers inflammation, and keeps your body stuck in “fight or flight” mode. Learning to restore calm is essential for lasting heart health. 

Simple daily habits can help you shift back into a “rest and restore” state: 

• Take 10 minutes each day for deep, slow breathing. Inhale for four counts, exhale for six. 
• Practice mindfulness, prayer, or meditation each morning to start your day in peace. 
• Write in a gratitude journal before bed to release mental tension. 
• Step outside for a few minutes of sunshine or a quiet walk in nature. 
• Consider relaxation tools such as Truvaga, a handheld device that gently stimulates the vagus nerve to help calm the body’s stress response. Just two minutes a day encourages your system to move from survival to stability. 
• Prioritize 7–9 hours of quality sleep and unplug from screens before bed. 

These small daily rhythms help regulate stress hormones, improve blood pressure, and support a steady, resilient heart.¹¹ ¹² 

4. Balance Hormones and Support with Key Nutrients 

Your hormones play a major role in cardiovascular health. When thyroid, estrogen, progesterone, or testosterone levels decline, heart function often does too. 

• Low thyroid increases coronary risk.¹³ 
• Balanced estrogen and progesterone protect arteries in women. 
• Testosterone optimization supports vascular integrity in men. 

Supplements can also help strengthen your cardiovascular foundation: 

• CoQ10 enhances circulation and energy production. 
• Vitamin D regulates blood pressure and inflammation.¹⁴ 
• Magnesium helps maintain normal rhythm and muscle relaxation. 
• Fish oil delivers heart-protective omega-3 fatty acids. 

By nourishing the body naturally, you help the heart do what it was designed to do—thrive. 

Our Integrative Approach to Heart Health 

At Hotze Health & Wellness Center, we go beyond simply managing symptoms or lowering numbers on a chart. We look at the whole person. We prefer prevention above all else, and our practice works with thousands of guests (we call our patients guests) every day to prevent illness by boosting the immune system and increasing energy levels. However, when you have symptoms, we prefer getting to the root cause and treating them naturally. We tell our guests all the time, “You do not have symptoms because your body is lacking a pharmaceutical drug. You have symptoms because your body is lacking something it needs or needs to eliminate.”  

Our approach is rooted in listening—truly listening—to your story, symptoms, and experiences. For 35 years, we’ve specialized in uncovering the root causes of fatigue, brain fog, weight gain, and low energy that often go hand in hand with cardiovascular imbalance. 

When you come to us, you’ll receive more than a prescription. You’ll receive a personalized plan that considers your hormones, thyroid function, inflammation, and nutrient status. Together, we’ll help your body restore balance naturally through hormone replenishment (when indicated), targeted nutrition, and lifestyle support. 

We believe your body is designed by God to heal itself when given the right tools. 

If you’re ready to explore a new path to wellness, click HERE to schedule your complimentary phone consultation with one of our Wellness Consultants. Our consultations are always free. It’s a pressure-free conversation where you can ask questions, share your concerns, and discover whether our natural, root-cause approach is the right fit for you. It would be our privilege to serve you. 

References

1. Landé, Kurt E., and Warren M. Sperry. Archives of Pathology, vol. 22, 1936, pp. 301–12. 
2. Graveline, Duane. Lipitor: Thief of Memory. Infinity Publishing, 2006. 
3. Anderson, Keaven M., et al. Circulation, vol. 83, no. 1, 1991, pp. 356–62. 
4. Newman, Connie B., et al. Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology, vol. 39, no. 2, 2019, pp. e38–e81. 
5. Smart Nutrition International, 17 Aug. 2025. 
6. Lichtenstein, Alice H., et al. Circulation, vol. 144, no. 23, 2021, pp. e472–e487. 
7. American Heart Association, 25 Oct. 2023. 
8. PMC, National Institutes of Health, 21 Apr. 2023. 
9. Franklin, Barry A., et al. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, vol. 80, no. 11, 2022, pp. 1091–106. 
10. Sharma, Ravi Kant, et al. Rejuvenation Research, vol. 24, no. 6, 2021, pp. 433–45. 
11. Aboujaoudé, Aya, et al. Cureus, vol. 16, no. 6, 2024. 
12. Taylor & Francis Online, 2025. 
13. Asvold, Bjørn O., et al. Archives of Internal Medicine, vol. 168, no. 8, 2008, pp. 855–60. 
14. Harvard Health Publishing, 9 Nov. 2023. 

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