Tag

Ldl Cholesterol

All articles tagged with #ldl cholesterol

Cardiologists Debunk Cholesterol Myths as Misinformation Grows
health4 days ago

Cardiologists Debunk Cholesterol Myths as Misinformation Grows

Cardiologists are pushing back against rising online misinformation that questions the link between high LDL cholesterol and heart disease. While cardiovascular deaths have declined due to statins and smoking cessation, progress has stalled. Experts emphasize that high cholesterol is often asymptomatic, meaning individuals may feel healthy while plaque builds in arteries. Recent guidance highlights that standard lab ranges do not equal individual safety targets, and lifestyle changes alone may not suffice for high-risk patients. In India, the Cardiology Society recommends lipid screening from age 18, noting that cardiovascular disease manifests 10 to 15 years earlier in South Asian populations compared to Western groups.

biotechnology18 days ago

Single Gene-Editing Infusion Cuts Bad Cholesterol for a Year, Early Trial Shows

A small Phase 1 trial found that a single infusion of CTX310, a CRISPR-Cas9 therapy targeting ANGPTL3 in the liver, reduced LDL cholesterol by 52.5% and triglycerides by 47.8% at 12 months across doses, with no serious safety events; durability suggests potential year-long lipid control, though larger studies and 15-year safety follow-up are planned.

DNA therapy cuts PCSK9 and lowers cholesterol in mice, hinting at a statin-free option
science28 days ago

DNA therapy cuts PCSK9 and lowers cholesterol in mice, hinting at a statin-free option

Researchers used polypurine hairpins (PPRHs) to suppress PCSK9 gene expression, increasing LDL receptors. In human liver cells HpE12 reduced PCSK9 RNA by 74% and protein by 87%. In transgenic mice, a single HpE12 dose lowered plasma PCSK9 by 50% and cholesterol by 47% after three days, suggesting a potential statin-free approach that still needs safety testing in humans.

Control LDL Before Hormone Therapy to Lower Heart Risk
health29 days ago

Control LDL Before Hormone Therapy to Lower Heart Risk

A Medscape commentary on the WHI trials shows baseline LDL cholesterol strongly influences coronary risk during menopausal hormone therapy. Among women with LDL <130 mg/dL there was no significant CHD risk increase with estrogen therapy, while those with LDL ≥190 mg/dL had markedly higher risk with estrogen plus progestin; HDL levels and HDL ratio also affected risk in the CEE-alone trial, whereas blood pressure and glucose were less influential. The piece recommends assessing and controlling lipids before starting systemic hormone therapy (using AHA/ACC 2026 lipid guidelines and PREVENT equations) to mitigate risk, notes that normal or treated lipid levels may negate CHD risk elevations, and suggests further research on other hormone therapies. Lipid assessment and control are advised for all women to reduce cardiovascular risk.

Psyllium Power: The proven fiber boost with gut, heart, and sugar benefits—and 3 tasty ways to use it
health1 month ago

Psyllium Power: The proven fiber boost with gut, heart, and sugar benefits—and 3 tasty ways to use it

Many Americans don’t meet daily fiber targets, but psyllium husk—a well-studied soluble fiber—can improve bowel regularity, help lower LDL cholesterol, and slow post-meal blood sugar spikes. The gel-forming action in the gut increases stool bulk, while starting with small amounts (about 2.5–5 g daily) and working up toward roughly 25–30 g of total daily fiber from a mix of sources; always take with plenty of fluids to avoid bloating or choking. The article also provides tips for palatability and three easy recipes—psyllium overnight oats, a cocoa mousse, and a berry banana smoothie—to help integrate psyllium into daily meals.

Early statin use linked to lower dementia risk in large Danish study
health1 month ago

Early statin use linked to lower dementia risk in large Danish study

A 15-year Danish observational study of 132,585 individuals with type 2 diabetes found that starting statins was associated with a 15% lower dementia risk over 10 years when begun early (versus 10% if started later); while not proving causation, the findings—presented at the European Society of Cardiology congress and published in Lancet Regional Health Europe—support the idea that lowering LDL cholesterol and improving vascular health from midlife could help prevent or delay dementia.

One-time gene edit slashes bad cholesterol for over a year
science1 month ago

One-time gene edit slashes bad cholesterol for over a year

A four-person pilot study, published in The New England Journal of Medicine, found that a single liver-targeted CRISPR-Cas9 therapy reducing ANGPTL3 activity lowered LDL cholesterol by about 50% and triglycerides by about 55% in the highest-dose group, with these effects persisting for more than a year. Side effects were generally mild, though one participant with extensive cardiovascular disease died, and larger trials are needed to confirm long-term safety and efficacy.

One Avocado a Day Could Lower LDL Cholesterol, Study Finds
health1 month ago

One Avocado a Day Could Lower LDL Cholesterol, Study Finds

A six-month trial of 786 adults with abdominal obesity found that adding one avocado daily to their diet reduced LDL cholesterol by about 49 nmol/L (roughly 4% lower risk of heart disease). The effect is attributed to avocado's monounsaturated fats, fiber, and phytosterols. Experts say avocados should be part of a broader heart-healthy lifestyle (vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean proteins, exercise) and not a magic bullet.

HDL Cholesterol: Don’t Chase It—Treat the Root Health Issues
health1 month ago

HDL Cholesterol: Don’t Chase It—Treat the Root Health Issues

HDL is the “good” cholesterol, but simply trying to raise it isn’t straightforward or reliably protective on its own. Experts say to focus on treating underlying health issues (like insulin resistance, obesity, and high blood pressure) and maintain core health habits—nutrient-rich diet, regular exercise, adequate sleep, and not smoking. HDL may rise as a byproduct of these changes, but some people are genetically predisposed to low HDL and still have cardiovascular risk. There are no proven foods or medications that dramatically raise HDL; optimizing LDL remains the primary strategy to lower heart disease risk.

Lipfendra: the first daily oral PCSK9 inhibitor and how it compares with statins
cholesterol-and-cardiovascular2 months ago

Lipfendra: the first daily oral PCSK9 inhibitor and how it compares with statins

The FDA approved Lipfendra (enlicitide), the first oral PCSK9 inhibitor for high cholesterol and heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia. In trials, Lipfendra lowered LDL cholesterol by about 56–59% versus placebo, mainly in patients already on statins, but there’s no head‑to‑head comparison with statins yet. It can be used alongside statins or other lipid drugs when LDL remains above goal, offering a pill alternative to injectable PCSK9 inhibitors. However, it’s approved only for adults, has a stringent morning-on-empty-stomach regimen, and more cardiovascular outcomes data are still being gathered, so doctors will tailor its use to patients who need additional LDL lowering beyond maximally tolerated statin therapy.

Calcium-free hearts can still be at risk: LDL history matters
health2 months ago

Calcium-free hearts can still be at risk: LDL history matters

A zero coronary calcium score often signals low short-term risk, but in a CARDIA analysis of young-to-middle-aged adults, higher cumulative LDL-C exposure over the prior 25 years predicted more cardiovascular events even when CAC was zero. At age ~50, those in the highest LDL-C exposure quartile had about a 3.36-fold higher adjusted risk than the lowest, though absolute event rates remained modest (roughly 3.9% vs 1.3% over about a decade). This means zero CAC is reassuring but must be interpreted in the context of age, sex, family history, and lifelong LDL exposure.

Biannual Inclisiran Therapy Delivers Major LDL Cholesterol Reductions Across Trials
health2 months ago

Biannual Inclisiran Therapy Delivers Major LDL Cholesterol Reductions Across Trials

A systematic review and meta-analysis of nine randomized trials (6,355 participants) found inclisiran—given by subcutaneous injection at baseline, 3 months, then every six months—produces about a 49% greater LDL-C reduction versus placebo, with consistent benefit across backgrounds of lipid-lowering therapy including statins; its twice-yearly dosing may aid adherence and help statin-intolerant patients, though long-term cardiovascular outcomes are still being studied in ongoing ORION-4 and VICTORION-2P trials, and clinicians see inclisiran as complementary to statins rather than a replacement, with future work needed on safety, cost-effectiveness, and equitable access.

A daily pill that slashes LDL could change how we fight heart disease
future-perfect2 months ago

A daily pill that slashes LDL could change how we fight heart disease

FDA-approved enlicitide is an oral pill that lowers LDL cholesterol by about 60%, offering a needle-free alternative to injections and statins for those who can’t tolerate them; the drug’s development builds on PCSK9 genetics, and while LDL reductions look promising, hard outcomes like deaths will take years to prove, and cost and access—alongside the potential of gene editing and other therapies—will shape how broadly it helps curb heart disease.

Merck's Lipfendra lands FDA nod as oral PCSK9 cholesterol fighter
health2 months ago

Merck's Lipfendra lands FDA nod as oral PCSK9 cholesterol fighter

The FDA approved Lipfendra, Merck's oral cholesterol-lowering drug that blocks the PCSK9 protein, offering a non-injectable option to reduce LDL cholesterol by up to about 60% after 24 weeks in trials. It targets hypercholesterolemia (including familial forms) for patients often already on statins, expanding treatment beyond injectable PCSK9 inhibitors. Lipfendra is priced at $10.50 per day (about $315 for a 30‑day supply), with Merck signaling lower out‑of‑pocket costs. The approval aligns with evolving guidelines urging aggressive LDL targets to cut heart-disease and stroke risk.

ApoB Test Could Refine Heart-Risk Assessment Beyond LDL
health3 months ago

ApoB Test Could Refine Heart-Risk Assessment Beyond LDL

A recent JAMA study suggests that the apolipoprotein B (apoB) test, which counts harmful cholesterol particles, may identify people at risk for heart attack or stroke more accurately than standard LDL measurements; using apoB to guide when to intensify statin therapy could prevent more cardiovascular events, but it should be used as an additive tool alongside the regular lipid panel, especially for those with diabetes, obesity, metabolic syndrome, or high triglycerides.