All articles tagged with #preventive cardiology
A Staten Island cardiologist highlights the importance of testing for lipoprotein(a) or Lp(a), a genetic cholesterol marker that increases the risk of heart attack and stroke, which is often overlooked and not affected by diet or exercise, emphasizing early detection and management for better heart health.
A new heart age calculator using standard health measures reveals that most Americans have hearts older than their chronological age, with significant disparities among different demographic groups. While this tool may motivate healthier behaviors, experts caution about potential negative effects and emphasize the need for sensitive communication and further research.
A coronary calcium scan is a quick, non-invasive test that detects calcium deposits in the heart's arteries, providing a calcium score that indicates the level of plaque buildup and heart disease risk, helping to prevent heart attacks through early detection and lifestyle or medication adjustments.
High cholesterol affects two in five American adults, increasing the risk of stroke and heart attack. Certain foods, such as full-fat dairy, red meat, skin on meat, processed foods, and fried foods, can impact cholesterol levels. Experts recommend incorporating lower-fat dairy products, lean protein sources, and avoiding highly processed and fried foods. While genetics play a major role in cholesterol levels, following a heart-healthy lifestyle, including exercise, nutritious food, and medication management if necessary, is important for maintaining cardiovascular health.
A small study conducted by Verve Therapeutics has shown promising results in using gene editing to permanently reduce cholesterol levels in patients at risk of heart disease. The trial involved 10 patients with familial hypercholesterolemia, a genetic abnormality affecting around one million people in the US. The treatment involved a single infusion of lipid nanoparticles carrying a gene editing tool to target and turn off the PCSK9 gene, which raises LDL cholesterol levels. Patients who received higher doses experienced a significant reduction in LDL cholesterol, bringing them closer to their cholesterol goals. While further trials are needed, experts believe this treatment has the potential to transform preventive cardiology. Pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly has invested $60 million in collaborating with Verve Therapeutics and acquiring additional rights to their gene editing programs.
Doctors are using a new genetic test called polygenic risk score to identify people most likely to have heart attacks long before they have them. The test looks at a collection of thousands of genetic variants to assess the risk of heart disease. Those at high risk would be treated aggressively, but the test may also spare some patients from unnecessary treatment if their risk turns out to be low. However, some critics say that a focus on treating younger people is misplaced because they may not comply with taking a statin or another drug for the rest of their lives.
A new study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine has found that nearly half of the participants were found to have signs of coronary heart disease or atherosclerosis despite having no prior symptoms. Researchers from Copenhagen University Hospital in Denmark studied over 9,000 people age 40 or older who had no symptoms and no history of heart disease. Those who showed obstructive and extensive disease were at the highest risk for future heart attacks, the findings stated. The primary risk factors for heart disease include smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, high low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, unhealthy diet, a sedentary lifestyle and secondhand smoke exposure.