Health

Understanding Your Cholesterol Test Results

Published

2 years ago

May 2, 2023

Bchcomber

As part of a routine examination or if they have reason to believe you may be susceptible to acquiring heart disease, your doctor may recommend that you get a cholesterol test. But do you understand the true significance of the lipid profile test results? Continue reading to see how to understand the data.

Who Needs to Undergo A Cholesterol Test?

A waxy, fatty-like material, cholesterol. All the cholesterol the human body requires is produced by your liver. But other foods, like those from animals, increase your cholesterol intake. If your body has excessive cholesterol, it can accumulate as “plaque” in the walls of the arteries and eventually harden.

Atherosclerosis is the process that causes the arteries to be narrow, which makes it more difficult for blood to flow through the vessels. Sadly, elevated cholesterol has no visible signs.

However, if atherosclerosis progresses, you may experience angina and severe chest discomfort caused by inadequate cardiac blood supply. A heart attack happens when a clogged artery is completely closed. A routine blood cholesterol test is the best way to determine your cholesterol level.

Understanding cholesterol test:

The typical cholesterol test also known as a “lipid panel” analyses three distinct types of fat in addition to the total amount of cholesterol in your blood:

LDL, or low-density lipoproteins:

This is the “bad cholesterol,” the main contributor to plaque formation, and raises your risk of developing heart disease. A smaller number is better. But when calculating a person’s absolute risk of suffering a heart attack or stroke, LDL cholesterol is just one component of a broader equation. For many years, recommendations focused on risk-reduction goals that people should hit. The most recent requests concentrate on an individual’s overall risk and suggest a specific percentage of LDL decrease as one component of a plan for preventing significant cardiac problems.

High-density lipoproteins:

This is the so-called “good cholesterol.” It moves harmful cholesterol from the circulation to the liver, where the body expels it. Another factor in determining your risk of a cardiovascular incident is your HDL. However, like with LDL, the focus has switched from goal values to techniques for lowering the overall risk. The higher the number, the better.

Triglycerides:

Another form of blood fat is triglycerides, and knowing the amount you have can reveal more about the state of your health. For example, your chance of developing diabetes, liver disease, and heart disease may increase if the levels of triglycerides are high.

Decoding the cholesterol test results:

It’s crucial to consider all the cholesterol test results, in addition to the total cholesterol result, if you have an elevated lipoprotein profile. This is because LDL and HDL levels are two of the most important signs of a developing cardiac condition. With the assistance of your doctor, of course, use the data provided below to interpret the results you received. You will better understand your likelihood of heart disease as a result.

Total blood cholesterol level:

High risk: 240 mg/dL and above
Borderline high risk: 200-239 mg/dL
Desirable: Less than 200 mg/dL

Reduced HDL cholesterol and increased triglycerides:

Low HDL levels are frequently present in individuals with high triglyceride levels, a dangerous combination often associated with early heart disease. It is hereditary and usually affects persons who are overweight in their midsection.

Healthy triglyceride level:

These are typically the optimum triglyceride ranges for healthy persons. Before your blood test, you must fast for a certain amount, typically 10 to 14 hours.

How to prepare yourself for a cholesterol check?

The lab will only look at your total cholesterol levels and occasionally your HDL levels, if your doctor advises a “non-fasting” cholesterol test. You must present yourself at the lab and get some blood extracted for that test. However, the lab will evaluate your levels of LDL, HDL, triglycerides, and total cholesterol if your doctor recommends a “fasting” cholesterol test also known as a “lipid profile”.

You must stop eating for nine to twelve hours before the blood test for that test. Occasionally, a physician will request you do a non-fasting cholesterol test first. Then, based on the findings, doctors could ask you to come back for a more thorough lipid profile.

Final words:

Your doctor will likely advise lowering these levels with lifestyle modifications and occasionally medications if you have elevated cholesterol, high triglycerides, or an elevated level of blood fats. Your results should be compared to other heart diseases risk factors, such as high blood pressure, becoming overweight, smoking, and different medical disorders like diabetes.

You should already be taking statins or another cholesterol-lowering drug if you are at higher risk for developing cardiovascular disease, such as if you have already experienced a heart attack, stroke, or transient ischemic attack (TIA) or if you have peripheral vascular disease.

Health

Report Causes Pfizer Stock to Climb Approximately $1 Billion Acquired by Starboard

Published

4 months ago

October 7, 2024

Salman

(VOR News) – According to a rumor that activist investor Pfizer Starboard Value has taken a holding in the struggling pharmaceutical business that is expected to be worth around one billion dollars, the stock of Pfizer (PFE) is on the increase in premarket trading on Monday.

This comes after the report was made public. The report was made available to the general public following this. Starboard Value was successful in moving forward with the acquisition of the position.

Starboard is said to have approached Ian Read, a former chief executive officer of Pfizer, and Frank D’Amelio, a former chief financial officer, in order to seek assistance with its goals of boosting the performance of the company, according to the Wall Street Journal. Read and D’Amelio are both former Pfizer executives.

The purpose of this is to facilitate the accomplishment of its objectives, which include enhancing the overall performance of the firm.

In their previous jobs, D’Amelio and Read were chief financial officers.

It is stated in the report that the hedge fund is of the opinion that Pfizer, which is currently being managed by Albert Bourla, who succeeded Read as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in 2019, does not demonstrate the same level of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) discipline that Read did. Bourla took over for Read in 2019. Read was succeeded by Bourla in the year 2019.

Pfizer, a multinational pharmaceutical conglomerate, has made substantial investments in the acquisition of more companies that are involved in the research and development of cancer medicines.

These businesses have been acquired for billions of dollars. The biotechnology company Seagen, which was acquired by Pfizer in the previous year for a price of $43 billion, is included in this category. One of the businesses that can be classified as belonging to this category is Seagen.

In spite of the fact that the S&P 500 Index experienced a 21% increase in 2024.

No major trading occurred in Pfizer stock that year.

Due to the fact that the demand for Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccines fell after the firm reached its pandemic peak in 2021, the share price of the corporation has decreased by over fifty percent since that time.

This drop has occurred ever since the company’s shares reached their maximum peak, which was during the time that this decline occurred. Not only have they not changed at all, but they have also remained essentially stable. This is in contrast to the S&P 500, which has gained 21% since the beginning of this year.

Recently, the corporation was forced to take a hit when it decided to recall all of the sickle cell illness medications that it had distributed all over the world.

Fears that the prescription could lead patients to experience severe agony and possibly even death were the impetus for the decision to recall the product. In spite of the fact that Pfizer’s stock is increasing by almost three percent as a result of the news that followed the company’s decision, this is the circumstance that has come about.

SOURCE: IPN

Health

New Study Reveals Drinking Soda Pop Increases the Risk of Stroke

Published

4 months ago

October 6, 2024

VORNews

If you drink too much soda, fruit juice and coffee, beware!

A recent report from global research indicates that excessive consumption of coffee or soda pop is associated with an increased risk of stroke, although the intake of black and green tea is correlated with a reduced risk. Excessive consumption of soda pop or coffee warrants caution!

Recent research indicates that it may substantially elevate the risk of stroke.

Consuming four cups of coffee daily elevates the risk of stroke, according to studies, although ingesting 3-4 cups of black or green tea daily typically offers protection against stroke. Additionally, consume more coffee; it may reduce your risk of mortality.

Recent findings from global research studies co-led by the University of Galway and McMaster University, alongside an international consortium of stroke researchers, indicate that soda, encompassing both sugar-sweetened and artificially sweetened variants such as diet or zero sugar, is associated with a 22 percent heightened risk of stroke. The risk escalated significantly with the consumption of two or more of these beverages daily.

Stroke Risk Fizzy Drinks and Soda Pop

The correlation between fizzy drinks consumption and stroke risk was most pronounced in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and South America. Women exhibit the most elevated risk of stroke from bleeding (intracranial hemorrhage) associated with fruit juice beverages. Consuming over 7 cups of water daily diminishes the likelihood of stroke due to a clot.

Researchers observed that numerous items advertised as fruit juice are derived from concentrates and have added sugars and preservatives, potentially negating the advantages often associated with fresh fruit and instead elevating stroke risk.

Fruit juice beverages were associated with a 37 percent heightened risk of stroke resulting from bleeding (intracranial hemorrhage). Consuming two of these beverages daily increases the risk thrice.

Consuming over four cups of coffee daily elevates the risk of stroke by 37 percent, although lower consumption levels do not correlate with stroke risk. Conversely, tea consumption was associated with an 18-20 percent reduction in stroke risk. Additionally, consuming 3-4 cups daily of black tea, such as Breakfast and Earl Grey varieties, excluding green and herbal teas, was associated with a 29 percent reduced risk of stroke.

Consuming 3-4 cups of green tea daily was associated with a 27 percent reduction in stroke risk. Notably, the addition of milk may diminish or inhibit the advantageous effects of antioxidants present in tea. The lower risk of stroke associated with tea consumption was negated for individuals who added milk.

Disclaimer: This article is intended solely for informational reasons and should not be considered a replacement for professional medical counsel. Consistently consult your physician regarding any inquiries pertaining to a medical problem.

Starbucks Faces Sales Decline Amid Price Fatigue and Rising Competition

Starbucks Faces Sales Decline Amid Price Fatigue and Rising Competition

Health

Following a Diagnosis of Breast Cancer, What Else Should You Know?

Published

4 months ago

October 5, 2024

Salman

(VOR News) – Even though breast cancer affects one in eight American women, receiving a diagnosis can make a woman feel isolated.

Experts in breast cancer from the American College of Physicians (ACS) advise patients on how to manage their disease so that they may better cope with this awful information.

First, the kind and stage of breast cancer dictates the course of your care.

In addition to immunotherapy and chemotherapy, there are various surgical options available for the treatment of breast cancer.

Women of African descent are disproportionately affected by triple-negative breast cancer, an extremely aggressive form of the disease that has never proven easy to treat.

According to the American Cancer Society, pembrolizumab (Keytruda), an immunotherapy, has been shown to be helpful when combined with chemotherapy and is currently the recommended course of treatment for certain combinations of triple-negative breast cancer.

In her presentation, Dr. Katharine Yao said, “It’s really important that the patient and physician discuss the patient’s preferences and values when deciding what type of treatment to pursue and that they have an honest, individualized discussion with their care team.”

She is currently responsible for developing breast cancer treatment recommendations for more than 575 hospitals and institutions nationwide in her role as chair of the American College of Surgeons’ National Accreditation Program for Breast Institutions (NAPBC).

Yao, vice chair of research at Endeavor Health NorthShore Hospitals in New York, pointed out that each decision made about a patient’s treatment plan should take her preferences and diagnosis into consideration.

She ought to think about whether she would prefer a mastectomy—a surgical procedure that involves removing the entire breast with or without reconstruction—or a lumpectomy, which involves a surgical procedure that spares part of the breast tissue.

She stated that “the breast cancer you have may be very different from the breast cancer you hear about in your neighbor, colleague, or friend” in a press release issued by the American Cancer Society (ACS).

“Consider that while discussing breast cancer with others.”

Throughout your journey, it is critical that you look after your emotional health because having breast cancer may have a detrimental impact on your mental health.

“Getting a cancer diagnosis does not mean that everything in your life stops to be normal.” Director of the Fellowship in the Diseases of the Breast program at the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute at the University of Arkansas and state head of the American Cancer Society Commission on Cancer for Arkansas, Dr. Daniela Ochoa She thinks adding the burden of a cancer diagnosis and treatment to all the other pressures in life may be taxing.

“Managing stress and emotional health is vital component of a treatment plan.”

Ochoa recommends clinically trained psychologists and social workers who have assisted people in coping with cancer to anyone receiving treatment. Learning coping techniques might also be facilitated by joining cancer support groups or cancer wellness initiatives.

Breast cancer specialists say your care team is crucial.

The American Cancer Society (ACS) defines comprehensive care as having support at every stage of the procedure from surgeons, oncologists, patient navigators, nurses, social workers, psychologists, and other specialists.

After receiving a breast cancer diagnosis, women should see a surgeon or medical oncologist to explore their options; nevertheless, treatment shouldn’t be discontinued after just one appointment or after surgery is over.

Additionally, you can ask trustworthy friends or family members to accompany you to appointments and aid you with research or notes. They could serve as a network of support for you.

Yao stated in his talk that “one of the most important things is that patients should search out a team they have confidence in, that they trust will have their back when they need it, and a team they feel they can get access to and that will help them when they are in need.”

SOURCE: MP