Honestly, the cholesterol world is complicated and almost like the universe 🌌 But there’s a cholesterol number already on your standard blood test that many people overlook: Non-HDL cholesterol (non-HDL-C) Here’s the simple math: Non-HDL-C = Total cholesterol − HDL (“good”...
Did you know exercise is a powerful treatment for symptomatic PAD (narrowing or blockage of arteries in the legs or arms)? It’s called Supervised Exercise Therapy (SET) and it can improve walking ability and reduce leg symptoms. How is SET different from going to the gym? 🏋️...
As PAD Awareness Month continues, let’s talk about Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) and what the symptoms can mean. PAD occurs when arteries supplying the legs become narrowed, reducing blood flow. The Rutherford classification describes clinical severity: 🔹 0 – Asymptomatic...
Beginning of a new week. You don’t need a perfect workout to move more. 🚶 A daily walk counts. Studies consistently show that higher daily step counts are associated with better heart health and lower mortality risk. And pace matters too. A new study of 64,743 adults found...
Sunday Wellness Myth 🥣 ❌ Myth: Cereal is healthy ✅ Reality: Not necessarily A lot of popular breakfast cereals have ~30–40 g of carbs and ~12–15 g of added sugar per serving. “Whole grain” on the box doesn’t automatically make it healthy. And don’t forget the sugar and...
Have you heard of HDL-c? Here is the dilemma of HDL-c—the so-called HDL Paradox: Why raising “good” cholesterol doesn’t necessarily save your heart. For decades, HDL-c was sold as the artery’s clean-up crew. Then modern trials and genetics complicated the story. Very low...
Did you know September is Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) Awareness Month? So, what is PAD? PAD happens when arteries that carry blood to your legs become narrowed or blocked, reducing blood flow. And yes, high LDL cholesterol is one of the major drivers of the...
As a cardiologist, let’s talk about Peripartum Cardiomyopathy (PPCM). PPCM is a rare form of heart failure that can develop in the last month of pregnancy or in the months after giving birth. The heart becomes weakened and enlarged. Who is at higher risk? • Age >30 • African...
What if your “high cholesterol” isn’t just about your diet? Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is an inherited condition that can cause very high LDL (“bad”) cholesterol from a young age, increasing the risk of heart attack and other heart problems much earlier than expected...