Cardiovascular Disease
Cardiovascular disease, which includes heart disease, stroke, and mini-strokes, is the leading cause of death among men in the UK and the second leading cause of death in the Isle of Man.
Cardiovascular Disease
Cardiovascular disease, which includes heart disease, stroke, and mini-strokes, is the leading cause of death among men in the UK and the second leading cause of death in the Isle of Man.
Cardiovascular Disease
Cardiovascular disease, which includes heart disease, stroke, and mini-strokes, is the leading cause of death among men in the UK and the second leading cause of death in the Isle of Man.
Cardiovascular Disease
Cardiovascular disease, which includes heart disease, stroke, and mini-strokes, is the leading cause of death among men in the UK and the second leading cause of death in the Isle of Man.
Heart Disease/Stroke
What Causes Cardiovascular Disease?
Cardiovascular disease develops in three key stages: damage to blood vessels, buildup of harmful cholesterol, and chronic inflammation. Together, these processes increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes—but they can often be identified and addressed early.
Step 1
Injury to the Lining of the Blood Vessels
When we are born, the lining of our blood vessels is smooth, much like copper pipes. However, over time, they can become clogged with cholesterol particles. The first step in developing cardiovascular disease involves damage to this lining, which can occur due to factors like chemical injuries (e.g., smoking, high blood sugar levels) or mechanical injuries (e.g., high blood pressure). Smoking and high blood pressure are the top two risk factors for heart disease.
Step 2
High Levels of Atherogenic Cholesterol Particles
Everyone has some level of cholesterol in their body. However, certain types of cholesterol are stickier than others, increasing the risk of heart disease. You may have heard references to "bad cholesterol" (LDL-C), but other cholesterol molecules can also elevate this risk. For instance, Lp(a) (lipoprotein little a) is known to be six to eight times stickier than LDL-C, yet healthcare providers rarely discuss the importance of measuring the level of Lp(a) to estimate the risk of heart disease. Well-conducted studies from the last 70 years show a consistent link between high levels of atherogenic cholesterol molecules and heart disease or stroke.
Step 3
Inflammation
The final factor in cardiovascular disease development is inflammation. Short-term inflammation (such as that caused by temporary stress) can be beneficial. However, persistent inflammation can accelerate cardiovascular disease through a dysfunctional immune response.
Heart Disease/Stroke
What Causes Cardiovascular Disease?
Cardiovascular disease develops in three key stages: damage to blood vessels, buildup of harmful cholesterol, and chronic inflammation. Together, these processes increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes—but they can often be identified and addressed early.
Step 1
Injury to the Lining of the Blood Vessels
When we are born, the lining of our blood vessels is smooth, much like copper pipes. However, over time, they can become clogged with cholesterol particles. The first step in developing cardiovascular disease involves damage to this lining, which can occur due to factors like chemical injuries (e.g., smoking, high blood sugar levels) or mechanical injuries (e.g., high blood pressure). Smoking and high blood pressure are the top two risk factors for heart disease.
Step 2
High Levels of Atherogenic Cholesterol Particles
Everyone has some level of cholesterol in their body. However, certain types of cholesterol are stickier than others, increasing the risk of heart disease. You may have heard references to "bad cholesterol" (LDL-C), but other cholesterol molecules can also elevate this risk. For instance, Lp(a) (lipoprotein little a) is known to be six to eight times stickier than LDL-C, yet healthcare providers rarely discuss the importance of measuring the level of Lp(a) to estimate the risk of heart disease. Well-conducted studies from the last 70 years show a consistent link between high levels of atherogenic cholesterol molecules and heart disease or stroke.
Step 3
Inflammation
The final factor in cardiovascular disease development is inflammation. Short-term inflammation (such as that caused by temporary stress) can be beneficial. However, persistent inflammation can accelerate cardiovascular disease through a dysfunctional immune response.
Heart Disease/Stroke
What Causes Cardiovascular Disease?
Cardiovascular disease develops in three key stages: damage to blood vessels, buildup of harmful cholesterol, and chronic inflammation. Together, these processes increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes—but they can often be identified and addressed early.
Step 1
Injury to the Lining of the Blood Vessels
When we are born, the lining of our blood vessels is smooth, much like copper pipes. However, over time, they can become clogged with cholesterol particles. The first step in developing cardiovascular disease involves damage to this lining, which can occur due to factors like chemical injuries (e.g., smoking, high blood sugar levels) or mechanical injuries (e.g., high blood pressure). Smoking and high blood pressure are the top two risk factors for heart disease.
Step 2
High Levels of Atherogenic Cholesterol Particles
Everyone has some level of cholesterol in their body. However, certain types of cholesterol are stickier than others, increasing the risk of heart disease. You may have heard references to "bad cholesterol" (LDL-C), but other cholesterol molecules can also elevate this risk. For instance, Lp(a) (lipoprotein little a) is known to be six to eight times stickier than LDL-C, yet healthcare providers rarely discuss the importance of measuring the level of Lp(a) to estimate the risk of heart disease. Well-conducted studies from the last 70 years show a consistent link between high levels of atherogenic cholesterol molecules and heart disease or stroke.
Step 3
Inflammation
The final factor in cardiovascular disease development is inflammation. Short-term inflammation (such as that caused by temporary stress) can be beneficial. However, persistent inflammation can accelerate cardiovascular disease through a dysfunctional immune response.
Heart Disease/Stroke
What Causes Cardiovascular Disease?
Cardiovascular disease develops in three key stages: damage to blood vessels, buildup of harmful cholesterol, and chronic inflammation. Together, these processes increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes—but they can often be identified and addressed early.
Step 1
Injury to the Lining of the Blood Vessels
When we are born, the lining of our blood vessels is smooth, much like copper pipes. However, over time, they can become clogged with cholesterol particles. The first step in developing cardiovascular disease involves damage to this lining, which can occur due to factors like chemical injuries (e.g., smoking, high blood sugar levels) or mechanical injuries (e.g., high blood pressure). Smoking and high blood pressure are the top two risk factors for heart disease.
Step 2
High Levels of Atherogenic Cholesterol Particles
Everyone has some level of cholesterol in their body. However, certain types of cholesterol are stickier than others, increasing the risk of heart disease. You may have heard references to "bad cholesterol" (LDL-C), but other cholesterol molecules can also elevate this risk. For instance, Lp(a) (lipoprotein little a) is known to be six to eight times stickier than LDL-C, yet healthcare providers rarely discuss the importance of measuring the level of Lp(a) to estimate the risk of heart disease. Well-conducted studies from the last 70 years show a consistent link between high levels of atherogenic cholesterol molecules and heart disease or stroke.
Step 3
Inflammation
The final factor in cardiovascular disease development is inflammation. Short-term inflammation (such as that caused by temporary stress) can be beneficial. However, persistent inflammation can accelerate cardiovascular disease through a dysfunctional immune response.
Heart Disease/Stroke
What Causes Cardiovascular Disease?
Cardiovascular disease develops in three key stages: damage to blood vessels, buildup of harmful cholesterol, and chronic inflammation. Together, these processes increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes—but they can often be identified and addressed early.
Step 1
Injury to the Lining of the Blood Vessels
When we are born, the lining of our blood vessels is smooth, much like copper pipes. However, over time, they can become clogged with cholesterol particles. The first step in developing cardiovascular disease involves damage to this lining, which can occur due to factors like chemical injuries (e.g., smoking, high blood sugar levels) or mechanical injuries (e.g., high blood pressure). Smoking and high blood pressure are the top two risk factors for heart disease.
Step 2
High Levels of Atherogenic Cholesterol Particles
Everyone has some level of cholesterol in their body. However, certain types of cholesterol are stickier than others, increasing the risk of heart disease. You may have heard references to "bad cholesterol" (LDL-C), but other cholesterol molecules can also elevate this risk. For instance, Lp(a) (lipoprotein little a) is known to be six to eight times stickier than LDL-C, yet healthcare providers rarely discuss the importance of measuring the level of Lp(a) to estimate the risk of heart disease. Well-conducted studies from the last 70 years show a consistent link between high levels of atherogenic cholesterol molecules and heart disease or stroke.
Step 3
Inflammation
The final factor in cardiovascular disease development is inflammation. Short-term inflammation (such as that caused by temporary stress) can be beneficial. However, persistent inflammation can accelerate cardiovascular disease through a dysfunctional immune response.
Heart Disease/Stroke
Prevention
Heart disease can often be prevented by addressing key risk factors like smoking, blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar. At Thrive Healthcare, we offer advanced testing to help you accurately assess and manage your cardiovascular risk.
Understanding What We Can Measure
Now that we understand the causes of heart disease, how can we prevent it? Steps 1 and 2—damage to blood vessels and harmful cholesterol—are measurable. We can assess key risk factors like smoking status, blood pressure, blood sugar, and atherogenic cholesterol levels. Tools like the HS-CRP test can measure low-level inflammation that may not be detected in blood tests offered by NHS GPs.
Focusing on Actionable Risk Factors
While genetics and family history play a role in heart disease, our best strategy is to focus on the risk factors we can measure and manage. Diet, gut health, and lifestyle changes are key to reducing chronic inflammation. Regularly monitoring blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar can offer valuable insights. Advanced tests, such as Apo(B) and Lp(a), offer a more accurate assessment of cardiovascular risk. At Thrive Healthcare, we provide these tests, which are not typically available through NHS GPs, helping you take proactive steps to lower your risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
Heart Disease/Stroke
Prevention
Heart disease can often be prevented by addressing key risk factors like smoking, blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar. At Thrive Healthcare, we offer advanced testing to help you accurately assess and manage your cardiovascular risk.
Understanding What We Can Measure
Now that we understand the causes of heart disease, how can we prevent it? Steps 1 and 2—damage to blood vessels and harmful cholesterol—are measurable. We can assess key risk factors like smoking status, blood pressure, blood sugar, and atherogenic cholesterol levels. Tools like the HS-CRP test can measure low-level inflammation that may not be detected in blood tests offered by NHS GPs.
Focusing on Actionable Risk Factors
While genetics and family history play a role in heart disease, our best strategy is to focus on the risk factors we can measure and manage. Diet, gut health, and lifestyle changes are key to reducing chronic inflammation. Regularly monitoring blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar can offer valuable insights. Advanced tests, such as Apo(B) and Lp(a), offer a more accurate assessment of cardiovascular risk. At Thrive Healthcare, we provide these tests, which are not typically available through NHS GPs, helping you take proactive steps to lower your risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
Heart Disease/Stroke
Prevention
Heart disease can often be prevented by addressing key risk factors like smoking, blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar. At Thrive Healthcare, we offer advanced testing to help you accurately assess and manage your cardiovascular risk.
Understanding What We Can Measure
Now that we understand the causes of heart disease, how can we prevent it? Steps 1 and 2—damage to blood vessels and harmful cholesterol—are measurable. We can assess key risk factors like smoking status, blood pressure, blood sugar, and atherogenic cholesterol levels. Tools like the HS-CRP test can measure low-level inflammation that may not be detected in blood tests offered by NHS GPs.
Focusing on Actionable Risk Factors
While genetics and family history play a role in heart disease, our best strategy is to focus on the risk factors we can measure and manage. Diet, gut health, and lifestyle changes are key to reducing chronic inflammation. Regularly monitoring blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar can offer valuable insights. Advanced tests, such as Apo(B) and Lp(a), offer a more accurate assessment of cardiovascular risk. At Thrive Healthcare, we provide these tests, which are not typically available through NHS GPs, helping you take proactive steps to lower your risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
Heart Disease/Stroke
Prevention
Heart disease can often be prevented by addressing key risk factors like smoking, blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar. At Thrive Healthcare, we offer advanced testing to help you accurately assess and manage your cardiovascular risk.
Understanding What We Can Measure
Now that we understand the causes of heart disease, how can we prevent it? Steps 1 and 2—damage to blood vessels and harmful cholesterol—are measurable. We can assess key risk factors like smoking status, blood pressure, blood sugar, and atherogenic cholesterol levels. Tools like the HS-CRP test can measure low-level inflammation that may not be detected in blood tests offered by NHS GPs.
Focusing on Actionable Risk Factors
While genetics and family history play a role in heart disease, our best strategy is to focus on the risk factors we can measure and manage. Diet, gut health, and lifestyle changes are key to reducing chronic inflammation. Regularly monitoring blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar can offer valuable insights. Advanced tests, such as Apo(B) and Lp(a), offer a more accurate assessment of cardiovascular risk. At Thrive Healthcare, we provide these tests, which are not typically available through NHS GPs, helping you take proactive steps to lower your risk of developing cardiovascular disease.