Statins and Heart Health: A Wellness Way Perspective on Cholesterol, Risk, and Root Causes
- Dr. Ryan DeNome
- Sep 3
- 2 min read
Statins are some of the most prescribed medications in the world, often handed out as the first line of defense against high cholesterol and heart disease. But at The Wellness Way Mason, we believe your heart health deserves more than a prescription—it deserves a full investigation into the why behind your numbers.
Cholesterol: More Than Just a Number
We’ve all heard cholesterol labeled as “good” or “bad.” But the truth is, cholesterol isn’t the enemy—it’s essential for your body. Cholesterol helps build hormones, create vitamin D, support your nerves, and even aid in digestion.
Here’s the problem: traditional medicine often looks at one simple lipid panel (LDL, HDL, triglycerides, total cholesterol) and makes a decision based on that snapshot. But those numbers don’t tell the whole story.
At The Wellness Way Mason, we ask:
What’s the size of the cholesterol particles?
Are there signs of inflammation?
Is blood sugar affecting your heart health?
These questions give us a clearer picture of what’s really going on.
Statins: Commonly Prescribed, Rarely Explained
Millions of people are put on statins—even if their cholesterol isn’t dangerously high. Why? Sometimes it’s caution, sometimes it’s pressure, and sometimes it’s just “standard procedure.”
But here’s what you need to know:
Statins can lower cholesterol numbers, but they don’t always solve the root cause of heart problems.
Side effects are real—muscle pain, fatigue, and even an increased risk of type 2 diabetes in certain people.
Lowering cholesterol doesn’t always equal lowering your risk for heart disease.
We’ve seen too many patients come in frustrated—still struggling with heart health even after years of medication.
The Functional Medicine Approach to Heart Health
Instead of jumping straight to prescriptions, we use testing that digs deeper. Our Cardiometabolic Panel goes beyond the standard cholesterol check to measure things like:
Cholesterol particle size and type
Inflammation markers
Blood sugar and insulin resistance patterns
This helps us identify what’s really stressing your heart—whether it’s inflammation, diet, stress, toxins, or something else entirely.
Because true healing doesn’t come from masking symptoms. It comes from finding and addressing the cause.
What You Can Do for Your Heart
Here’s how to take control of your heart health—without relying only on a pill bottle:
Rethink cholesterol: It’s not “bad”—it’s a tool your body needs.
Look at the big picture: Inflammation, blood sugar, and lifestyle all matter more than a single lab number.
Ask for the right tests: Don’t settle for a basic lipid panel.
Make lifestyle changes that stick: Diet, stress, sleep, and movement all play powerful roles in your heart health.
Partner with a provider who digs deeper: That’s what we do at The Wellness Way Mason.
Final Thoughts
At The Wellness Way Mason, we don’t just manage symptoms—we help you uncover the hidden stressors affecting your heart. Statins might lower cholesterol on paper, but true health means asking why your body is out of balance in the first place.
Your heart is too important to settle for quick fixes. Let’s find the root cause together.
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