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

Testosterone Levels, Low Testosterone Symptoms, and Testosterone Replacement Therapy

An important question in clinical medicine is when to treat descending testosterone levels in men when there is no underlying cause other than advanced age. Most men want to live to a ripe old age. But this could come at a price. We may have to depart with masculinity and vigor. Manliness may become a … 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 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