People following cholesterol values often ask what numbers are right for them. This is the second blog in a series to address this question. As noted in the first blog, several additional questions must be answered before a conclusion can be reached: Question 1 - What lipid / lipoprotein values... Continue reading

What Laboratory Numbers Are Right For Me? Part 1 People following cholesterol values often ask what numbers are "right" for them. The answer is determined by the following questions. Question 1 - What lipid / lipoprotein values should be used as goals? Question 2 - What is the person's cardiovascular... Continue reading

Overview of Familial Hypercholesterolemia (FH) Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is an autosomal dominant trait with complete penetrance (all affected individuals exhibit symptoms), causing congenitally elevated levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL). There is a gene dosage effect: homozygotes have significantly greater elevations of LDL and earlier onset of cardiovascular disease compared to... Continue reading

What is Atherosclerosis? Atherosclerosis, also known as “hardening of the arteries”, occurs when focal areas of the artery wall thicken in response to risk factors that such as high LDL particle levels, smoking or high blood pressure. Over time, areas of thickening may grow into a larger area of arterial... Continue reading

Although high blood cholesterol is an established risk factor for heart disease and stroke, many people are not aware of the reason for this relationship. Cholesterol and triglycerides are fats transported in the blood inside carrier vehicles called lipoprotein particles. The greater the number of lipoprotein particles, the more these... Continue reading