The NeuroEndoMetabolic (NEM) stress response is your body’s stress management system. It consists of the neuroendocrine component, which involves hormones and organs, and the metabolic component, which oversees bodily functions. If your NEM response is overwhelmed by stress, it can lead to Cardionomic circuit dysfunction, disrupting the balance between these two components.
Your Cardionomic circuit, thyroid, adrenal glands, autonomic system, central nervous system, and gastrointestinal tract all fall under the neuroendocrine component of the NEM stress response.
What Causes Cardionomic Circuit Dysfunction?
Your body’s first response to stress is through the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. The HPA axis then activates the NEM stress response. This calls for an increase in stress hormone production. Cortisol is an example of one of these stress hormones.
The cardiovascular system (CVS) and autonomic system (ANS) are also activated. Both fall under the Cardionomic circuit. Initially, they can easily deal with mild stress. Their activity may increase as stress levels rise or the condition persists for an extended period.
Exposure to stress initially causes an increase in cortisol production. If stress persists, your cortisol production increases. This is to help your body cope. Your heart rate increases during this time as your NEM initiates fight-or-flight mode. Mental alertness also increases.
However, prolonged stress may lead to a decline in cortisol production.[1] This is because the adrenals start dysregulating due to overwork. Cardiovascular dysfunction may occur when adrenal exhaustion sets in.
An increase in stress hormone production leads to activation of the CVS, causing the heart to work harder under stress. The ANS releases increasing amounts of norepinephrine and epinephrine (adrenaline).
If the situation persists, your anxiety levels and heart rate increase. You may also suffer from insomnia.
Further Cardionomic circuit dysfunction progression could result in heart health issues associated with damage to the cardiac nodes. Symptoms may include atrial fibrillation, blood pressure instability, and idiopathic supraventricular tachycardia. These can severely affect cardiovascular health.
Key Hormones Involved In Cardionomic Circuit Dysfunction
The body’s main goal during stressful periods is to maintain survival. This means protecting the Cardionomic system. The body cannot work properly with a heart in a state of distress.
The three hormones mainly responsible for regulating the Cardionomic circuit are:
- cortisol
- norepinephrine
- epinephrine
Cortisol
The steroid hormone cortisol is produced in the adrenals from cholesterol. It helps with stress management, waking up, and exercising. It also helps the body select nutrients needed for energy. This is key to proper heart function during stressful events.
Short-term increases in cortisol are vital for survival. But only in the short term.
High cortisol levels over a prolonged period can lead to Cardionomic circuit dysfunction.
This is because the hormone raises blood glucose levels to provide energy. It also causes an increase in blood pressure and lowers your good cholesterol levels. These effects over a long period of time can raise your risk of heart disease.
Norepinephrine
Norepinephrine acts as a hormone and a neurotransmitter.[2] The hormone enhances heart function and mental alertness.
During prolonged periods of stress, these higher levels can increase the heart’s workload. Your heart may start to suffer, and you could end up with Cardionomic circuit dysfunction.
Epinephrine
Epinephrine is the primary fight-or-flight hormone. It increases heart rate and prepares the body to react against physical threats. Prolonged elevated epinephrine levels can disrupt blood pressure and promote various heart issues.
Dysautonomia and Its Effect on Cardionomic Circuit Dysfunction
Dysautonomia is an ANS issue. The term relates to an ANS in a state of disruption.[3]
The ANS controls your body’s automatic functions. These include digestion, blood pressure, heart rate, and body temperature. Dysautonomia can promote Cardionomic circuit dysfunction or worsen existing heart problems.
The most common causes of dysautonomia include:
- Problems with how the heart rate changes.
- A faster, harder, stronger heartbeat due to increased activity during the fight-or-flight response.
- The heart experiences difficulties when adjusting to blood pressure changes when you change positions.
If you have dysautonomia together with existing heart issues, your outlook may worsen, and available therapies may be affected. The heart and brain may also be impacted due to issues with blood flow to these areas.
How to Know If You Have Cardionomic Circuit Dysfunction
Various body systems play a role in stress management. Chronic stress may cause issues with these systems, resulting in symptoms. We can directly trace some of the symptoms to Cardionomic circuit dysfunction.
Most of these symptoms originate from issues with the adrenal glands and the ANS.
Cardionomic circuit dysfunction symptoms include:
- POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome)
- Orthostatic hypotension
- Gut health issues like bloating, irritable bowel syndrome, constipation, and diarrhea
- Brain fog
- Fatigue
- Reduced ability to exercise
- Issues resulting from hormonal imbalances, like low libido, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol levels
- Atrial fibrillation
- Severe and chronic insomnia
- Panic attacks
- Premature ventricular contractions
Please note that many of these symptoms have multiple possible causes and are not necessarily caused by issues in one system.
Other possible symptoms indicative of Cardionomic circuit dysfunction include:
- Tinnitus
- Breathlessness when climbing steps
- Salt cravings
- Low blood pressure
- Easy dehydration
- Excessive urination for no apparent reason
- Temperature intolerance
- Electrolyte and fluid imbalance
- Tingling sensation going down the extremities
- Twitching eyelids
- Sweaty palms
You do not need to have all these symptoms for a Cardionomic circuit dysfunction diagnosis.
Also, not everyone has the same symptoms or severity. Symptoms could be fleeting. They may come and go and vary in intensity.
When to See A Doctor
If your symptoms persist, go see your healthcare practitioner. The most common symptoms of Cardionomic circuit dysfunction that indicate you need medical care include:
- shortness of breath
- persistent heart palpitations
- persistent high blood pressure
- dizziness
- significant exercise intolerance
Important Warning: Seek immediate medical attention if you suddenly experience severe chest pains. You may also experience pain in your arms or jaw, together with vomiting or nausea, for longer than a few minutes. These point to a possible heart attack.
Cardionomic Circuit Dysfunction Therapy Options
Identifying Cardionomic circuit dysfunction is not easy.
Labs may turn up with unremarkable results. Physical examinations may show the same. Even hormone labs may show nothing conclusive, as could serum electrolytes and fecal studies. Furthermore, even saliva cortisol testing may show high in the morning, which is normal with a flat curve throughout the day.
In many cases, a functional medicine approach that takes the whole picture into account is more helpful.
The Conventional Recovery Approach to Cardionomic Circuit Dysfunction
The conventional recovery approach largely focuses on managing the symptoms and not the root cause of the condition. As a result, care may include the following:
- Beta blockers to reduce heart rate
- Anti-arrhythmic medications for PVS and atrial fibrillation
- A blood thinner if cardiovascular accident risk is high
- Anti-anxiety medications
- Sleeping medications
- Antidepressants
- A Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI) may be recommended, but it can worsen the condition
- Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP), and melatonin for sleep
- Zinc and vitamin B6 are often started, but can worsen the condition
- Acupuncture may result in a transient improvement, but often not long-term
- Multiple hormones or hormone replacement therapy
While these attempts may help address the various symptoms common to Cardionomic circuit dysfunction, many may have side effects or give rise to other health issues. Also, they do not address the reason for the symptoms, i.e. stress. In the end, they could do more harm than good.
The heart, for example, has different redundancy pathways for rhythm and rate control. If a medication suppresses one pathway by means of a beta-blocker, your body may automatically activate less robust pathways.
These alternate pathways were designed for use only in an emergency. They cannot provide a permanent solution to a problem. By suppressing your heart’s primary pathways, you may succeed in reducing your heart rate but increase your risk of developing further heart issues over time.
Testing For Cardionomic Circuit Dysfunction
Here at Lam Clinic, our goal is root-cause clarity. We use functional and integrative testing to figure out what’s overloading your heart–autonomic axis and to guide a personalized plan toward your functional goals.
Your healthcare provider, after reviewing your history and assessing your level of Cardionomic circuit dysfunction, may create a recovery plan suited to your specific needs. Your healthcare provider will assess the six NEM stress circuits, your constitution, diet, resilience, current medications used, and sensitivities. Here are some tests that might be utilized to find the root cause:
- Core labs & markers (as appropriate)
- Electrolyte balance
- Advanced cardiovascular markers
- Cardiac rhythm & pump function
- EKG
- Limited echocardiogram
- Vascular health
- Carotid ultrasound
- Abdominal aorta ultrasound
- Ankle–Brachial Index (ABI)
- Microcirculation testing
- Autonomic & nerve function
- Orthostatic/HRV measures
- Sudomotor testing (neuropathy assessment)
- Breathing assessment
- Spirometry (if breathlessness or cardiorespiratory overlap)
- Endocrine & neurochemical context
- Adrenal 4-point cortisol (diurnal pattern)
- Neurotransmitter testing—markers for epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine
The Natural Recovery Approach to Cardionomic Circuit Dysfunction
According to the functional medicine perspective, Cardionomic circuit dysfunction is an underlying symptom of a much greater issue. It is the result of a body under constant stress with a heart and adrenal system that works overtime. Ultimately, all body systems become affected.
If symptoms are ignored, this continuous state of stress can become life-threatening.
Unfortunately, by the time many people seek help, their bodies are already weak. They may take numerous medications. They may even be bedridden.
A natural supplement that may help early on could make things worse if someone is in the later stages of Cardionomic circuit dysfunction. Even the most common therapies could cause issues. At this point, the body could be so sensitive that most efforts to help could cause an adrenal crash.
Natural Recovery Strategies for Cardionomic Dysfunction
The natural recovery approach does not have a one-size-fits-all recovery solution.
Recovery can also take a long time. Sudden changes may worsen symptoms. Timing is crucial when it comes to restoring Cardionomic balance. Each new addition to the recovery plan is carefully calculated.
It is not uncommon for small changes to worsen the situation before you see any improvement.
Helpful recovery strategies may include:
- Practice adrenal breathing techniques
- Eliminate toxins
- Reduce stressors
- Make an effort to balance hormones
- Provide adrenal glands with gentle support
- Use natural supplements that support heart and adrenal health
- Do not use stimulatory herbs and caffeine
- Stay hydrated
- Do not abruptly change your medications or supplements
- Follow a healthy diet that supports adrenal health, like the Adrenal Fatigue Diet
The following supplements may prove helpful in supporting heart and adrenal health when the Cardionomic circuit is in a state of dysfunction:
- Adrenal Calm: a soothing supplement that relaxes the body and mind.
- Liponano CoQ: has antioxidant properties that promote heart health.
- Mag Three: promotes relaxation, improves sleep quality, and provides a soothing, calming effect on the body and mind.
- Adrenal Quiet: a soothing blend of theanine and inositol; theanine induces relaxation without inducing drowsiness, while inositol plays a role in mood regulation.
- Taurine: plays a role in energy production.
- CV Plex: a blend of herbs designed to support heart health.
If you suffer from Cardionomic circuit dysfunction, please talk to your healthcare provider before starting on a new supplement. They are best able to determine the supplement’s suitability and dosage.
Alternatively, consider contacting the Lam Clinic. We can help you deal with Cardionomic and Adrenal Fatigue issues.
In Closing
A body with Cardionomic circuit dysfunction can be highly sensitive and fragile. This means that even minor changes can worsen the condition. Any adjustments made should be done with caution because they need to consider the body’s current tolerances.
We do not recommend self-navigation when dealing with this type of dysfunction. With the proper care and support, the Cardionomic circuit has a strong ability to self-heal. Do remember that recovery takes a long time.
There is no quick fix, but it can be done. The healthier your body is when you start, the greater your chances are for successful recovery. Lam Clinic believes in Rooted Care that transforms lives and empowers futures. If you would like support, you can contact Lam Clinic so that we can help you find the best recovery strategies for your body.