The latest on lipoprotein(a), an inherited cause of early heart disease

About 20% of people have high blood levels of lipoprotein(a)—Lp(a) for short—a fatty particle that’s like the evil twin of the more familiar LDL (“bad”) cholesterol. Elevated Lp(a) which can double or triple risk of a heart attack and raise stroke risk, and is linked to problems with the heart’s aortic valve. With new treatments that can lower Lp(a) on the horizon, cardiologists are now testing more people for this biomarker, which is not included in standard cholesterol tests.

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Choosing heart-healthy oils for home cooking

Some social media posts suggest that seed oils (such as canola, safflower, and sunflower oils) are responsible for a host of health problems, including obesity, diabetes, and even heart disease. But there’s scant scientific evidence to support these claims. Seed oils are rich in unsaturated fatty acids, which are linked to a lower risk of heart disease when substituted for saturated fats (found mainly in animal-based foods such as butter, cheese, and meat).

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Revitalize your walking routine

When a daily walk starts to feel humdrum, adding short bursts of fast walking (intervals) may help. Using earbuds to listen to music, books, or podcasts may also encourage people to stick with this heart-healthy exercise. Wearing appropriate attire, including a brimmed hat, slim-legged pants or shorts, and waterproof shoes may also keep walking enjoyable.

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Do we feel pain more at night?

Chronic pain typically fluctuates during the day and some research suggests that it worsens at night, potentially interfering with sleep. If pain keeps you awake at night, trying these strategies may help you sleep better.

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Time for a diabetes tune-up

A major theme of the 2023 American Diabetes Association Standards of Medical Care guide is healthy weight loss. The new guidelines also encourage collaboration on meaningful lifestyle changes that help with sleep and health metric targets.

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