Community Spotlight: Dr. Jack Wolfson of Wolfson Integrative Cardiology: A Commitment to Supporting Healthy Hearts

Jack M. Wolfson, D.O., FACC, is the owner of Wolfson Integrative Cardiology, in Paradise Valley.

Why did you decide to specialize in cardiology?

My father was a cardiologist and growing up, I idolized my father. He was head of the Department of Cardiology at Midwestern University in Chicago, and from an early age I had an interest in cardiology. I used to play with his stethoscope and listened to others’ hearts.

How would you describe Wolfson Integrative Cardiology?

This is a very unique practice that focuses on finding the cause of disease, as opposed to other doctors that just look for the Band-Aid approach. We take a long time in visits with patients and make sure they have a full understanding of their symptoms and test results. We pride ourselves on customer service. It is also a very family-oriented practice, and we certainly try to treat our patients like family.

Why did you open your practice and what is different about it?

I was getting very frustrated with the typical American medicine paradigm where there are very quick office visits and the docs are not trained to look for the cause of the diseases. So often, patients are listened to for a few minutes, given a prescription and sent out the door. I also respect a patient’s time and do not like to keep people waiting.

I like to think we bring a fresh approach to health care. Our patients are those interested in determining the cause of their symptoms, and they can expect someone that is going to listen and that truly cares about their concerns. They can expect great customer service from my staff.

What training have you had?

I am a medical doctor of osteopathic medicine with a degree from the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine. I spent three years in internal medicine training and got my board certification in internal medicine, then spent an additional three years in a cardiology fellowship. I am board certified in cardiology through the American Board of Internal Medicine. I am a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology. I am also certified in metabolic cardiology.

What services do you provide?

We do in-depth blood analysis for risk factors such as lipids, diabetes, inflammation and genetics. We also test for hormones, heavy metals and food sensitivities, in addition to routine cardiology testing, such as treadmill stress testing, cardiac ultrasound and Holter monitor testing.

When it comes to testing, assessment of risk is done by non-invasive, non-radioactive measures. There are excellent blood tests that really determine heart risk and identify cause. Insurance covers many of these tests.

Conventional cardiologists are incentivized to order tests because they get paid to perform those tests. This is a major problem that the government has tried to limit, but to no avail. The tests that are performed typically do not have much added value, either. For example, a nuclear stress treadmill is not necessary if a person has a normal ECG.

Patients are subjected to unnecessary radiation during tests and an increased risk of a false positive. Stress testing is beneficial when people have symptoms because it can help decide if they are cardiac in nature, but routine stress testing is not beneficial unless someone has diabetes.

What should people understand about heart health?

Two things cause all disease:  poor nutrition and chemicals. People do not have heart attacks because they lack the drug Lipitor. If we can improve nutrition and remove chemicals as much as possible, then people will be able to obtain their best health.

The first thing I recommend to patients is to eat as much organic food as possible. That way they can truly have their cake and eat it, too. Ideally, people would adhere to a low-sugar and gluten-free diet. I am a big proponent of the Paleo diet, but if all you do is to eat organic, then you’ll avoid the chemicals. Even something as simple as switching from pesticide [treated] coffee to organic coffee can make a large difference. If a chemical can kill bugs, then it can kill us, too. Second, nutritional supplements are necessary. Even the best diets do not contain all the necessary vitamins and minerals because the soil is destroyed.

My inspiration to take a natural and holistic approach was my wife, Heather, who is a doctor of chiropractic. She is the one who opened my eyes to an organic lifestyle and is the best mother to our two sons, aged 1 and 6.

Wolfson Integrative Cardiology is located at 10585 N. Tatum Blvd., Ste. D-135, Paradise Valley. For more information, call 480-535-6844 or visit WolfsonIntegrativeCardiology.com.