LDL Archives | Surrey Cardiovascular Clinic

The SCVC Blog

Cardiovascular care news and articles from our expert team

10 Things Everyone Who Has Had a Coronary Stent or Bypass Operation Should Know

Having a stent or bypass is not the end of the story—it is the beginning of a new chapter in managing your cardiovascular health. With the right combination of medications, lifestyle changes, rehabilitation programmes, and vigilant follow-up using advanced diagnostic techniques, you can greatly reduce your risk of future events. Stay engaged with your healthcare team, keep informed about new therapies and guidelines, and commit to sustainable lifestyle adjustments to ensure the best possible long-term health.

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.

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.

What the heck is LP (a)?

Lp(a) testing is advised for individuals at high risk for cardiovascular disease, including those with a prior stent or bypass operation, coronary syndrome or heart attack as well as anyone with a family history of coronary heart disease, high FAI (coronary inflammation) or high risk patterns on Cardiac CT angiograms. In our practice, Lp (a) is offered as part of our comprehensive Metabolic Health assessment (MHA1).

Bempedoic acid to lower LDL Cholesterol

Bempedoic acid offers a new avenue for patients who require an alternative to statins for managing high cholesterol. Its liver-specific action and excellent safety and side effect profile make it a valuable addition to available treatments we can use to combat high LDL cholesterol levels to reduce coronary inflammation and stabilise high risk coronary plaque.

LDL: the lower the better

Being born with almost no circulating cholesterol (or reduction of LDL to zero by drugs) results in nothing except a zero-lifetime risk of atherosclerosis (or cessation and reduction in atherosclerosis).