The Best Health Report Card I Could Have Asked For!

For years, I’ve carried a quiet concern about my cardiovascular health, and with good reason.

My father survived an aortic aneurysm 20 years ago, something that still feels miraculous. Five years ago, I lost my mother to a sudden cardiac event. Then last December, my sibling had a heart attack at just 50 years old! Genetically, I am high risk. 

Those experiences changed the way I think about prevention. I did not want to wait for symptoms, assume that a “normal” basic lab panel meant everything was fine, or let family history create fear without taking meaningful action.

I wanted to understand my actual risk.

Looking beyond standard labs:

I decided to take a deeper look at my cardiovascular health with advanced testing.

My standard lipid panel looked very good, but my advanced lipid testing told a more nuanced story. My ApoB is elevated at 83, optimally I want it below 70. My lipoprotein(a), or Lp(a), is elevated at 208.8(optimally it is <50!! Both markers can be important when evaluating cardiovascular risk, especially in the context of a strong family history and when a standard lipid panel is normal. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34677405/

Rather than panic, I used that information to become more proactive.

I tests I scheduled included:

1)A coronary artery calcium (CAC) scan

2)An ultrasound of my aorta to evaluate for signs of an early aneurysm

3)A DEXA scan to assess bone density and body composition

*The DEXA scan was not specifically related to cardiac risk, but maintaining strong bones and lean muscle is a major part of the longevity picture for me. So I decided it was important to have that information as well. 

My results:

I was honestly elated when the results came in.

1)My coronary artery calcium score was zero.

That means there was no detectable calcified plaque in my coronary arteries on the scan. Considering my family history and advanced lipid markers, this was incredibly reassuring.

2)My aortic ultrasound also showed no evidence of an aneurysm forming.

3)And then there was my DEXA scan. My doctor told me I have “the bones of an 18-year-old,” with an estimated 0.1% risk of hip fracture over the next 10 years.

I will happily take that compliment.

An important part of my longevity plan: BHRT(Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy): 

Another important piece of my personal health story is that I have been on bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) since going through menopause five years ago.

For me, supporting hormone health has been an essential part of aging proactively. Menopause is a major transition, and I did not want to simply accept declining energy, reduced muscle and bone support, sleep disruption, or feeling unlike myself as inevitable.

BHRT has been one component of a larger, personalized strategy that includes nutrition, exercise, sleep, stress management, targeted supplementation, and advanced testing. I believe it has played an important role in helping me maintain my vitality, body composition, bone health, and overall quality of life during this stage of my life. 

My outstanding DEXA results are especially meaningful to me. Bone health is not something we should wait to consider after a fracture or osteopenia diagnosis. It is something worth protecting early—particularly through the menopausal transition and beyond. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35797481/

Why this matters to me?

These results did not happen by accident. They reflect years of consistently investing in my health, not through perfection, extreme restriction, or quick fixes, but through foundational habits repeated day after day and a personalized approach to supporting my health through menopause and beyond. 

My personal longevity routine includes:

-Eating a whole-foods diet with very limited processed food

-Prioritizing adequate daily protein and fiber

-Supplementing thoughtfully with omega-3s and amino acids

-Staying well hydrated

-Exercising every day

-Protecting my sleep

-Actively managing stress

-Using individualized BHRT since menopause to support hormone health, well-being, and healthy aging.

-Using targeted foundational support such as vitamin D, magnesium, and digestive enzymes to support nutrient status, digestion, and absorption.

Your longevity plan should be personal

One of the most important lessons from this process is that basic testing alone does not always tell the full story.

You may look “fine” on a routine lab panel but still benefit from a closer look at cardiovascular markers, metabolic health, inflammation, body composition, bone density, hormones, digestion, nutrient status, lifestyle patterns, and family history.

For many women, the menopausal transition is also a powerful opportunity to reassess their long-term health plan. Hormones, muscle, bone density, cardiovascular risk, sleep, cognition, and metabolic health are all interconnected. The best strategy is never one-size-fits-all—it is a thoughtful plan based on your personal history, symptoms, goals, labs, risk factors, and preferences.

Your plan should not be copied from someone else’s supplement cabinet or pulled from a social-media post. It should be built around your body and your long-term vision for health.

That is the work I love to do.

If you are ready to take a more proactive, personalized approach to health, including support through perimenopause, menopause, or beyond, I would love to help you create your own longevity plan.

Because the goal is not simply to live longer. It is to feel strong, capable, energized, and confident in your health for as many years as possible.

This article shares my personal health experience and is for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for individualized medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.