Frequently Asked Questions

3 Billion Beats focuses specifically on functional cardiology. While your primary care physician (PCP) manages overall health, we specialize in identifying and reversing the root causes of cardiovascular disease.

The standard of care often relies on basic lipid panels and managing symptoms (like prescribing statins). We utilize 50+ advanced biomarkers (including ApoB, Lp(a), inflammation markers, and insulin resistance tests) combined with AI analysis to understand *why* disease is developing. Our goal is disease reversal and prevention, not just management.

This is a critical point. As our CMO Betsy Shor emphasizes, 75% of heart attack victims have "normal" LDL cholesterol levels according to standard panels. Standard panels miss crucial information like LDL particle size, Lp(a) (a genetic risk factor), and underlying inflammation.

Heart disease is often an immune and metabolic issue, not just a plumbing problem. Our advanced testing identifies these hidden risks long before they manifest as an event.

Functional Cardiology looks at the body as an interconnected system. Instead of just focusing on the heart in isolation, it examines how metabolism, inflammation, genetics, hormones, and nutrition impact cardiovascular health. It seeks to answer "why" the disease is occurring and aims to restore optimal function rather than just suppressing symptoms with medication.

Once you select a package, we generate a lab requisition for you. You take this requisition to a partner laboratory (like Quest Diagnostics) for a blood draw. Once the results are ready, they are securely uploaded to your 3 Billion Beats Health OS, where our AI and clinical team analyze the data. You will then receive a comprehensive report and personalized recommendations.

We test over 50 biomarkers. Key advanced markers include:

• Advanced Lipids: ApoB, Lp(a), LDL Fractionation (particle size).
• Inflammation: hs-CRP, MPO, Lp-PLA2, Fibrinogen.
• Metabolic: Fasting Insulin, A1C, HOMA-IR calculation.
• Nutrients: Vitamin D, B12, Homocysteine, Omega 3/6 panel.

For a complete list, please visit our What's Included page.

Yes. For the most accurate results, particularly for lipid and metabolic panels (like insulin and triglycerides), we require you to fast for 10-12 hours before your blood draw. Water and black coffee are generally acceptable.

3 Billion Beats operates outside the traditional insurance model. This allows us to order advanced tests that insurance companies often deem "not medically necessary" until after a cardiac event has occurred. We believe in proactive testing.

Our packages are designed to be comprehensive with transparent pricing, avoiding hidden fees.

In many cases, yes. The advanced lab testing included in our packages often qualifies for HSA/FSA reimbursement. We recommend checking with your specific plan administrator, but we will provide an itemized receipt that you can submit for reimbursement.

The frequency depends on your initial results and the optimization plan you undertake. Generally, we recommend a comprehensive panel (like the Insight or Optimize package) annually. If significant interventions are made (dietary changes, supplements, etc.), follow-up testing on key markers is often recommended 3-6 months later to track progress.