Lipid-lowering medicines, known as statins, are prescribed in cases of high cholesterol levels, to reduce the risk of atherosclerosis, heart attack and stroke. The results of some small studies suggest that statins could also have an antidepressive effect. Researchers from Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin have now conducted an extensive study to investigate this claim. However, they could … Read more
An ‘AI scientist’, working in collaboration with human scientists, has found that combinations of cheap and safe drugs – used to treat conditions such as high cholesterol and alcohol dependence – could also be effective at treating cancer, a promising new approach to drug discovery. The research team, led by the University of Cambridge, used … Read more
New research shows that even modest adherence to the Portfolio Diet, a plant-based cholesterol-lowering strategy, can significantly reduce cardiovascular risk factors in young adults and may postpone heart disease onset by more than a decade. Study: Portfolio diet and LDL-C in a young, multiethnic cohort: cross-sectional analyses with cumulative exposure modeling. Image Credit: Chiociolla / Shutterstock University … Read more
Researchers at UCL have tested a new scoring system to measure the risk of stroke in patients with narrowed arteries due to atherosclerosis, which could prevent unnecessary surgeries and stents. Atherosclerosis is a condition where the blood vessels become narrowed and hardened due to the buildup of plaque, including in the carotid arteries, which carry … Read more
An NHS doctor is flagging five health issues he’s labeled “sneaky” because they might secretly be escalating your chances of dementia. Backed by research, these under-discussed factors contribute to cognitive decline. With figures suggesting over 944,000 UK residents grappling with dementia—with expectations for this to grow—awareness is key. Dementia not only affects memory but can … Read more
A new study reveals that while low-carb, high-fat diets may spare saturated fats and carbs from blame, high cholesterol and salt intake still threaten heart health—urging smarter food choices even in trendy diets. Study: Low carbohydrate high fat-diet in real life; A descriptive analysis of cardiovascular risk factors. Image Credit: 19 STUDIO / Shutterstock In a recent … Read more
A research team funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) uncovered higher rates of heart disease and worse heart health affecting adults living in rural communities compared to urban areas and the factors that likely drive these differences. They found adults living in rural areas were more likely than those living in large cities … Read more
Many teenagers enter adulthood with significant risk factors for cardiovascular disease, and the transition from adolescence to adulthood is a key time to address these risk factors and reduce the risk of developing future cardiovascular disease, according to a new American Heart Association scientific statement published today in the Journal of the American Heart Association. According … Read more
For current and former smokers, statins may reduce the amount of chest muscle loss, while aspirin may contribute to increased chest muscle loss, according to a new study. The study is published in the January 2025 issue of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases: Journal of the COPD Foundation, a peer-reviewed, open-access journal. Many people who are … Read more
A new study of Sardinia’s longest-living residents reveals that moderate LDL cholesterol levels may be a secret to longevity—challenging mainstream medical advice on cholesterol management. Study: The Cholesterol Paradox in Long-Livers from a Sardinia Longevity Hot Spot (Blue Zone). Image Credit: Naeblys / Shutterstock A recent study published in the journal Nutrients on nonagenarians from Sardinia’s Blue … Read more