The Difference Between LDL-Cholesterol (LDL-C) and LDL Particle Number(LDL-P)

The role of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in the evolution of heart disease is fairly well established. In addition, the benefits of pharmacological treatment with agents that lower LDL-C in high-risk patients are well documented. Lipoproteins are biochemical structures that enable the transport of lipids such as cholesterol in the circulation. LDL-C represents the amount … Read more

Non-HDL Cholesterol (non-HDL-C)

Non-HDL cholesterol (non-HDL-C) is a fraction that can be easily calculated from a traditional lipid panel. The value is strongly associated with an increased risk of heart disease. Over the years, LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) has been the most commonly used lipid variable to predict risk (1). However, current evidence suggests that non-HDL cholesterol may be … Read more

LDL-Cholesterol – The “Bad” Cholesterol Explained

There are several reasons why we should be interested in the amount of cholesterol circulating in our bloodstream. However, to interpret our cholesterol numbers, we have to know certain things about cholesterol and its role in health and disease. What Is Cholesterol? Cholesterol is classified as a sterol (a combination of steroid and alcohol) and … Read more

The Fate of the PURE Study – Fat and Carbohydrate Intake Revisited

Most experts agree that diet is an important modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease and many other chronic noncommunicable disorders. Hence, defining and implementing a healthy diet is a matter of great public health interest. However, although there is substantial agreement on many issues, such as the importance of fruits and vegetables, several matters are still … Read more

The CANTOS Trial – Is Targeting Inflammation the Solution to Heart Disease?

The recently published results of the long awaited CANTOS trial may forever change our approach to the prevention and treatment of coronary artery disease (1). Inescapably, there is now proof that targeting inflammation, in this case by a drug, significantly improves outcome for certain very high-risk patients. But, as so often in clinical research, things … Read more