Atherosclerosis Archives

CT Calcium Score vs. CT Coronary Angiography: Understanding the Difference

Cardiovascular imaging has revolutionized the assessment of heart disease, providing powerful tools to detect and evaluate coronary artery disease (CAD) before it leads to serious complications. Two common heart imaging tests—CT Calcium Scoring (CAC) and CT Coronary Angiography (CCTA)—serve distinct purposes. While both utilize computed tomography (CT) technology, they differ significantly in what they measure, … Read more

Lipoprotein(a)

Recent scientific evidence shows that the blood concentration of lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) is an important marker for the risk of developing heart disease. Nonetheless, Lp(a) measurements are not widely available and are seldom used in routine clinical practice. A traditional lipid panel measures total cholesterol, triglycerides,and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) The numbers are then used to … Read more

The Role of Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) in Atherosclerosis and Heart Disease

The death rate from coronary artery disease (CAD) has declined considerably over the last three decades. This is mainly due to better control of risk factors and advances in therapy. However, the prevalence of CAD remains high due to the aging of the population and better survival of those affected. The current epidemic of obesity … Read more

The Health Benefits and Risks of Physical Activity, Exercise, and Fitness

“Lack of activity destroys the good condition of every human being, while movement and methodical physical exercise save it and preserve it.” … Read more

Why and How To Lower Triglycerides in People at Risk of Heart Disease

Triglycerides are important organic compounds. Most of the fat we consume in our diet is triglyceride and so is most of the fat we store in our body. Fatty acids contained in triglycerides are an essential source of energy for human cells. Triglyceride concentration can be measured in blood and may provide valuable information about … Read more