Category Archives: Heart Health

Menopause seems to have an effect on cholesterol levels. While estrogen supports high levels of HDL (good) cholesterol during a woman’s reproductive years, once she goes through menopause, her estrogen levels decrease. So do the levels of HDL cholesterol, allowing for LDL levels to rise, thus increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke. Practicing ...click here to read more

LDL “bad” cholesterol can be lowered with a Mediterranean diet and a low-carb vegan diet in men. The study looked at 19 men with metabolic syndrome, which means having three or more risk factors for heart disease and stroke – for example, being overweight, having high blood pressure, and being diabetic. The men were followed ...click here to read more

Ever heard the phrase, “too much of a good thing”? Even when something is good for you, it’s important to keep it in moderation. Case in point, researchers have found that too much HDL cholesterol – commonly referred to as the good cholesterol – can actually contribute to premature death. High HDL cholesterol linked to ...click here to read more

Gallbladder sludge may lead to gallstones in the elderly. Gallbladder sludge, also known as biliary sludge, is a gel-like bile, a potential precursor to cholesterol stones. In the majority of cases, this sludge does not form into stones and can easily dissolve in the gallbladder. Biliary sludge is normal and can be detected through ultrasound. ...click here to read more

Low cholesterol may increase mortality risk in kidney cancer patients, according to research findings. The researchers analyzed the blood cholesterol levels in 867 patients with renal cell carcinoma prior to kidney surgery. The patients were then followed for a median of 52 months. The researchers found that low blood cholesterol was associated with greater tumor ...click here to read more

Cholesterol-lowering statins may disrupt muscle cell function, causing muscle pain, stiffness, and cramps. Statins are a popular mode of treatment for cholesterol, but many patients who take them experience muscle pain, stiffness, cramps, or weakness even without any damage to the muscle. These side effects can negatively affect a person’s quality of life, along with ...click here to read more

High blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes risk may be lowered with brisk walking. The researchers found that the impact of brisk walking is similar to that of running, which means, regardless of your fitness level or age, you can still manage to successfully lower your blood pressure and cholesterol, and control your diabetes with ...click here to read more

Cholesterol is a fatty substance produced by the liver. It takes part in all sorts of bodily functions, including building cell membranes, conducting nerve impulses, and facilitating brain activity. It is also important for hormone production and the metabolizing of vitamins like A, D, E, and K. Without it we would not survive, yet for ...click here to read more

Kidney disease patients on dialysis often have impaired HDL cholesterol. Although higher levels of HDL cholesterol are well-known for helping ward off heart disease, the same doesn’t hold true for kidney disease patients on dialysis. The researchers analyzed blood samples from 24 hemodialysis patients, 14 peritoneal dialysis patients, and 20 healthy controls. They found that ...click here to read more

Mediterranean diet may decrease heart disease risk by lowering post-meal blood triglyceride levels (PPL). High PPL is a known risk factor for cardiovascular events. The findings are supported by an extensive research review involving studies dating as far back as 1957 on the links between food and heart disease. The review results are published in ...click here to read more

We know that the food we eat can have an impact on our cholesterol levels, but did you know that alcohol can play a role, too? It’s been commonly suggested that a glass of red wine a day can actually benefit cholesterol and heart health, but there are still plenty of adverse effects associated with ...click here to read more

Understanding cholesterol numbers is important for keeping your heart healthy. Cholesterol is an integral part of heart health. If your numbers are off, it could be a sign of a future cardiovascular event. Cholesterol is integral to our overall health, but it’s important to maintain the right balance between LDL and HDL cholesterol in order ...click here to read more

Smoking can negatively impact your health in many different ways, including cholesterol. Having high cholesterol levels and smoking can be a dangerous combination for your heart. Your risk of a heart attack and stroke rises significantly if both these factors apply to you. Smoking damages your arteries and blood vessels, increasing the risk of cholesterol ...click here to read more

Triglyceride levels in postmenopausal women may predict ischemic stroke risk more accurately than cholesterol. The study uncovered that common risk factors such as high cholesterol are not as effective in predicting the risk of stroke in postmenopausal women. The researchers suggest focusing on triglyceride levels instead for a more accurate risk estimate. Lead author Jeffrey ...click here to read more