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The SCVC Blog

Cardiovascular care news and articles from our expert team

Dietary Fats: From Villain to Vital Nutrient – Rethinking Fat in a Heart-Healthy Diet

Dietary fats have been wrongly maligned for much of modern nutritional history. But as the science evolves, it's clear that fat – far from being harmful – is a vital macronutrient that supports energy metabolism, hormonal health, brain and heart function, and even weight control.Rather than fearing fat, we should focus on:Avoiding refined carbohydrates and ultra-processed foods. Prioritising whole food sources of fat, including nuts, seeds, dairy, eggs, fish, and healthy oils. Understanding individual needs, especially in those with insulin resistance or carbohydrate sensitivity. Viewing nutrition in context, rather than isolating single nutrients as heroes or villains.The time has come to move beyond fat-phobia and embrace a more nuanced, evidence-based approach to eating. In a balanced, whole-food diet, fat is not the problem — it’s part of the solution.

Protein, Sarcopenia, and the Pursuit of Healthspan

Thanks to digital health technology, many of the tools needed to correct low protein intake are now in the hands of patients. Food tracking apps can analyse the macronutrient breakdown of meals, allowing users to make informed adjustments. AI-based platforms can even suggest personalised meal plans that hit protein targets while remaining aligned with caloric needs and dietary preferences.

Why Cardiovascular Prevention Matters Before 30

Emerging evidence shows that lifetime exposure to LDL cholesterol and high glucose variability are some of the strongest predictors of cardiovascular risk. Just as lung cancer risk is tied to pack-years of smoking, heart disease risk correlates with cumulative LDL levels and glucose metrics such as HbA1c over time.This is why some people in their 20s with risk factors (like diabetes or a family history of heart disease) are starting statin therapy preventatively. However, many are understandably hesitant to start medication so early. Lifestyle changes remain the cornerstone of early prevention.

Cardiovascular Health Under 20: A Guide for Young People and Their Families

It may seem unusual to talk about heart disease in teenagers and children, but the groundwork for heart health is laid early in life. Habits formed in youth often carry into adulthood, and many cardiovascular risk factors—like high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or obesity—can be silent, slowly progressing without symptoms.In families where heart disease runs deep, understanding risk and prevention from a young age can be life-changing.

Cardiovascular Prevention: Why Waiting Until 60 Is Too Late

Cardiovascular disease is detectable and treatable decades before first symptoms appear, especially in the critical age range known as *"Sniper’s Alley"* (40–60 years). Waiting until 60 is too late. Early prevention, particularly LDL cholesterol control, saves lives. Learn why men and women with a family history of heart disease demands a more proactive approach — and why starting young matters.

The cardiometabolic clinic

With continued advancements in imaging, pharmacology, and personalised medicine, the SCVC cardiometabolic clinic is positioned to lead the way in preventative cardiology. The integration of real-time metabolic assessments, cutting-edge lipid profiling, and targeted pharmacotherapy represents a paradigm shift in how cardiovascular risk is managed.

How a daily junior aspirin can save millions of lives

Aspirin, or acetylsalicylic acid, is one of the oldest and most widely used medications in the world. Well known for its analgesic effects, it was later discovered to be effective in much smaller doses in preventing platelet aggregation that had a pivotal role in arterial thrombosis. Its role in inhibiting platelet activity has made it a cornerstone in the prevention and treatment of arterial thrombosis. In this article, we will explore the fascinating role of platelets in acute coronary thrombosis, the mechanisms by which aspirin exerts its protective effects, and the clinical considerations for its use.

Does curcumin reduce inflammation and possibly lower raised LP (a)?

Research indicates that approximately 20% of the global population has elevated Lp(a), making it a prevalent, yet under-recognised, CVD risk factor. Despite its clinical significance, the management of elevated Lp(a) remains challenging. Standard lipid-lowering therapies, including statins, have little to no effect on Lp(a) and may even slightly increase its levels. However, emerging therapies such as PCSK9 inhibitors and innovative supplements like curcumin are shedding light on potential strategies to mitigate this risk.

Why do patients in atrial fibrillation get breathless?

In atrial fibrillation or AFib, the atrial tissue quivers at approximately 600 cycles per minute, which means that it has no useful pumping function. The left atrium therefore, in patients with atrial fibrillation, merely acts as a passive conduit between the lungs and the left ventricle. It no longer serves to prime the left ventricle, and as a result, less blood enters the heart during diastole, less 'priming' occurs so cardiac output may fall. If ever you have experienced a car's turbo charger going 'on the blink' you will know that the car still GOES, but not very well, since it too suffers loss of output. The left atrial pressure in many such cases will increase, causing oedema or fluid in the alveolar space, reducing gas exchange and contributing to the symptom of breathlessness.

How AFib can present as a heart attack or stroke

When clots from the left atrial appendage dislodge, they can travel to various parts of the body, including the coronary artery, which receives about 5% of the blood from each heartbeat, or the cerebral arteries, accounting for approximately 20% of each cardiac cycle's output

So what does determine your LDL (‘bad’) Cholesterol?

Statins are a mind boggling biological 'ruse'. When this medication is taken orally, it causes liver cells to become deficient in essential cholesterol, so they respond by increasing the number of cell surface LDL receptors, thereby enhancing their capacity to extract LDL particles from the blood, significantly lowering circulating LDL levels. Statins remain the most effective and well-known way that doctors can lower LDL levels to prevent or treat coronary heart disease.

Imagine if you could predict a heart attack

The idea of predicting a heart attack may have once seemed like science fiction, but it is rapidly becoming a reality. With the advent of advanced imaging techniques and artificial intelligence, we are now able to detect the early signs of coronary heart disease and intervene before a heart attack occurs. This represents a major shift in the way we approach cardiovascular care, moving from a reactive model to a proactive one.