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SAD: Bring On The Light

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), often called "winter depression," is a type of depression that follows a seasonal pattern. Typically, symptoms emerge during the fall and winter months when daylight hours decrease.

Nov 6, 2024

Is it possible to reverse plaque?

Jul 22, 2024

Reducing plaque has been shown to be associated with a lower risk of heart attack and stroke and by reducing plaque even by as little as 1%, there is as much as a 25% reduction in odds of adverse cardiovascular events.

Debunking Common Cholesterol Myths

Jul 18, 2024

Cholesterol has been a subject of debate in cardiovascular health. Despite its crucial role in various bodily functions, questions persist about its association with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD).

Colchicine vs LODOCO

Apr 11, 2024

Colchicine has been a first-line medication for gout, a painful condition caused by too much uric acid in the blood, for many years. In June 2023, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved low-dose colchicine (0.5 mg) under the brand name LODOCO. This approval marked colchicine as the first anti-inflammatory medication for preventing heart attacks and strokes in people with existing heart disease or multiple risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

Praluent vs Statins

Nov 8, 2023

Statins work by targeting a liver enzyme (HMG-CoA reductase) that's necessary for making cholesterol, leading to a decrease in the amount of cholesterol that is produced. Pruluent, on the other hand, works by blocking a protein (PCSK9) that is responsible for destroying LDL receptors, which help regulate cholesterol levels in the body. By blocking this protein, Praluent allows more LDL receptors to remove excess cholesterol from the body.

Red Yeast Rice vs Statins for High Cholesterol

Oct 26, 2023

Red yeast rice has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries. In recent years, its use as a natural alternative to statins has become more popular with some small studies suggesting the red yeast rice supplements may be effective in reducing cholesterol levels.

Which Statin has the Fewest Side Effects?

Aug 17, 2023

Discover the common side effects of statin medications, such as muscle pain, and how a nocebo effect can play a role in perceived side effects. Learn about risk factors for statin intolerance and find out which statin may have the lowest rate of muscle pain.

Familial Hypercholesterolemia (FH)

Aug 15, 2023

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a genetic disorder that affects the body's ability to remove low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol from the bloodstream, leading to elevated cholesterol levels. Approximately 1 in 250 individuals are affected by it, but only about 10% are aware they have it. This condition significantly increases the risk of developing coronary heart disease at a younger age.

Which statin is best at lowering cholesterol?

Jul 27, 2023

Every statin is a little different, but they all have one thing in common—helping to lower cholesterol levels in people who haven't been able to control their numbers through diet and exercise. These medications are designed to improve heart health.

Atorvastatin (Lipitor)

Jul 25, 2023

Atorvastatin (Lipitor) is a most frequently used statin (HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors) to treat high cholesterol in the U.S. It comes in both high intensity and moderate intensity. Unlike other statins, atorvastatin can boost the number of LDL receptors in your liver cells, which then improves the absorption and breakdown of LDL (bad) cholesterol. Your liver is where the effects of this medication, such as the inhibition of the HMG-CoA reductase enzyme, are primarily seen.

Repatha vs Statins

Jun 2, 2023

In 2015, PCSK9 inhibitors including Repatha became available as a brand-new class of cholesterol medications. Repatha is typically considered as an additional treatment option if statins are not effective in reducing LDL cholesterol levels. However, it may be presribed by itself for patients with familial hypercholesterolimia (HeFH), a genetic condition that causes high cholesterol.

9 Things You Should Know Before Taking Nexletol

May 1, 2023

Nexletol is a medication used to treat high cholesterol. It is a newer drug that was approved by the FDA in February 2020. It contains bempedoic acid, which is a type of drug that works differently from statins, another medication used to lower cholesterol.

Pitavastatin vs Pravastatin

Apr 11, 2023

This article aims to compare the dosage, efficacy, side effects, and interactions of pitavastatin and pravastatin to help you understand the similarities and differences between the two medications.

Apolipoprotein B (ApoB)

Apr 6, 2023

High levels of ApoB can increase the risk of heart disease and stroke, as LDL particles containing ApoB can contribute to the buildup of plaque in arteries, leading to atherosclerosis. Therefore, measuring ApoB levels in the blood can be useful in assessing cardiovascular risk and monitoring the effectiveness of cholesterol-lowering treatments.

Atorvastatin vs Pitavastatin

Mar 27, 2023

Atorvastatin (Lipitor) and pitavastatin (Livalo, Zypitamag) are both used to lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Since both statins belong to the same drug class, HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, they work in similar ways to lower cholesterol and share similar side effects. However, there are some differences in the dosage, strength, and how they are processed in the body.

Cholesterol and Inflammation

Mar 22, 2023

Cardiovascular disease, which includes heart attacks and strokes, is the leading cause of death globally. Many factors contribute to the development of cardiovascular disease. Two primary culprits are high cholesterol levels and inflammation.