Cardiovascular Health
Browse all articles in Cardiovascular Health.
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28 articles in Cardiovascular Health
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28 articles in Cardiovascular Health
Optimizing Cholesterol Management: A Closer Look at Statins, Ezetimibe, Fibrates and Emerging Therapies
Introduction Heart disease remains a leading cause of mortality globally, with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease driving most cardiovascular events. A wealth of data has established a causal role for atherogenic lipoproteins, particularly LDL particles and Apolipoprotein B, in initiating and promoting atherosclerosis over a lifetime. Yet many knowledge gaps and misconceptions exist around optimal medical management…
The Potential Health Benefits of Olive Oil
An Overview of Dietary Fats There are three main types of dietary fats – saturated fats, monounsaturated fats, and polyunsaturated fats. These fats have different chemical structures that affect their properties and potential health impacts. Saturated fats have only single bonds between carbon atoms, allowing each carbon to bond with the maximum number of hydrogen…
Early Detection and Prevention of Heart Disease: A Silent Killer
Atherosclerosis Develops Over Decades Before Producing Symptoms Atherosclerosis, the buildup of plaque in arteries, starts developing early in life – often in a person’s 20s and 30s – but clinical events like heart attacks usually don’t occur until much later, typically after age 50. This long lag time between the early stages of plaque accumulation…
The Powerful Longevity Benefits of Cardiorespiratory Fitness
Introduction Cardiorespiratory fitness, as measured by VO2 max testing, is a key indicator of overall health and a powerful predictor of longevity. VO2 max measures the maximum rate of oxygen consumption during intense exercise, reflecting the fitness level of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems. A wealth of research clearly demonstrates that higher VO2 max levels…
The Intricacies of Heart Rate Variability and Alcohol
Understanding Heart Rate Variability Heart rate variability (HRV) refers to subtle variations in the time intervals between heartbeats. It is typically measured in milliseconds using an electrocardiogram (EKG) or other chest-based heart rate monitor. HRV provides insight into the balance between the sympathetic and parasympathetic branches of the autonomic nervous system. The sympathetic system controls…
Preventing and Managing Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease
Why ASCVD Matters Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) is the number one cause of mortality worldwide, responsible for over 18 million deaths per year. It is incredibly common, affecting a staggering number of people to some degree over their lifetimes. Alarmingly, ASCVD does not just impact the elderly – over 50% of men and 33% of…
Latest Perspectives on Cancer, Heart Health, Alzheimer's Risk and More
Revisiting the Potential of Cancer Immunotherapies Over the past couple of years, optimism around cancer immunotherapies has grown substantially. One revelation is that a remarkable 80% of cancer patients have neoantigens on their tumors that are recognized by their own immune systems. The challenge lies in effectively harnessing the power of the immune system to…
Re-evaluating Lean Mass Hyperresponders: assessing cardiovascular risks and potential benefits
Defining the phenotype of lean mass hyperresponders A subset group of people following very low-carb, ketogenic diets are seeing dramatic increases in LDL cholesterol and LDL particle levels. Termed “lean mass hyperresponders,” these individuals tend to be very athletic with high lean mass and are metabolically flexible. In addition to increased LDL cholesterol, they also…
Rethinking Heart Health: Challenging the Coronary Calcium Score
The Limitations of the CAC Test The coronary artery calcium (CAC) score is a common screening tool used to assess heart disease risk. It is measured using a CT scan to detect calcification in the coronary arteries. Many have come to rely on the CAC score as an infallible indicator – a CAC score of…
The Far-Reaching Impacts of Sleep on Health and Disease
Funding to Support Trusted Health Content Many popular health podcasts rely on advertising revenue, which can introduce conflicts of interest regarding the products and services promoted. To avoid this issue and maintain trust with listeners, some podcast creators have adopted alternative funding models based on voluntary listener support. In exchange for subscriber payments, podcast creators…
Understanding Blood Pressure: Definitions, Risks, and How to Optimize Yours
What is Blood Pressure and How is it Measured? Blood pressure refers to the force that blood exerts on the walls of arteries as it is pumped from the heart throughout the body. It has two components – systolic and diastolic pressure. Systolic pressure represents the pressure in the arteries when the heart contracts and…
The Important Role of Lipoprotein(a) in Heart Health
What is Lipoprotein(a)? Lipoprotein(a), or LP(a), is a lipoprotein particle consisting of a low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particle bound to a protein called apolipoprotein(a). The levels of LP(a) are determined primarily by the liver's production rate of apolipoprotein(a). LP(a) Levels in the Population About 20% of people have elevated LP(a) levels, with higher rates seen in…