BOSTON – August 31, 2024 – An article published in the New England Journal of Medicine on August 31^st, showed that a combined measure of 3 blood tests was predictive of an increased risk for the development of cardiovascular disease in women. Researchers from Harvard Medical School obtained the blood tests from almost 30 thousand women who were then followed for 30 years. They were followed until either a major cardiovascular event occurred or until the completion of the study after 30 years. The blood tests were high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and lipoprotein(a).

About 1 in 5 Americans died from heart disease in 2022, according to the CDC. It is the leading cause of death in the U.S. Cardiovascular disease can include heart disease, stroke, and heart attack.

The standard lipid panel is a common blood test that measures the levels of different types of cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood. This blood test is used to monitor and screen for someone’s risk of cardiovascular disease. Having high levels of certain types of cholesterol and triglycerides can lead to coronary artery disease, a precursor of cardiovascular diseases. Coronary artery disease can reduce the blood flow to the heart by narrowing the heart’s arteries.

The LDL blood test is the standard biomarker that health care providers use to determine a person’s heart disease risk. High levels are associated with high risk. LDL is commonly referred to as the “bad” cholesterol. On the other hand, high-density lipoprotein (called HDL) is the “good” cholesterol.

High-sensitivity C-reactive protein is an indicator of inflammation. It is a protein produced in the liver that increases in response to inflammation or infection. It can be measured by a simple blood test. The high-sensitivity test is more sensitive than the standard test and can measure smaller increases.

Lipoprotein(a) is not included in the standard lipid panel. However, it is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. It is important to understand that lipoprotein(a) is unique because it is genetically determined without much fluctuation after early childhood. Lipoprotein(a) is a low-density lipoprotein variant and carries cholesterol through the blood stream to cells

The Harvard study’s results suggest that early prevention, before the usual timeframe, may reduce the risk of a woman to develop cardiovascular disease, including heart attacks and strokes.

 

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Contact: Dr. Dick Needleman, Health reporter, 103.3 AshevilleFM, [email protected]

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ASHEVILLE, NC – September 6-7, 2024 – The North Carolina Dental Society and the NC Dental Society Foundation Missions of Mercy (MOM) held a free mobile dental clinic in Asheville on September 6^th and 7^th. According to the press release, the clinic provided “complimentary dental procedures for adults who cannot afford or do not have access to oral health care.” Free dental care was provided by licensed dentists, including cleanings, fillings, extractions, and x-rays.

The clinic was held at the East Asheville Campus of the Biltmore Church on 801 Fairview Road in Asheville. Patients were seen on a first-come, first-serve basis. Doors opened at 6 am and patients had to arrive early each morning to be eligible.

Expectations ran high. 490 volunteers staffed the clinic. About 700 people were served. The dental volunteers have donated their time and their resources to treat these patients.

The North Carolina Dental Society represents 4 thousand dentists in the state. It is the state chapter of the American Dental Association, the nation’s largest dental association, representing 163,000 dentist members.

NC Dental Society Foundation MOM is a charitable organization whose mission is to improve access to oral health care in the state. The foundation has created a program to provide preventive care and treatment of dental problems in adults whose income is less than 200 percent of the Federal Poverty index.

Kudos to the North Carolina Dental Society and to the NC Dental Society Foundation MOM!

Such good news!

 

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Contact: Dr. Dick Needleman, Health reporter, 103.3 AshevilleFM, [email protected]

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ASHEVILLE, NC – September 11, 2024 – The winter surge of respiratory infections, like COVID-19, has passed. However, over the past 3 years, COVID-19 infections have also surged in August.

The CDC’s COVID Dashboard for the week ending on August 31^st shows:  

• Between 3-4% of the deaths in North Carolina were due to COVID, the 3^rd lowest level of 6 groups and increased since last week.
• Emergency department visits for COVID-19 are moderate in North Carolina, between 3-4% of all visits and stable since last week.

Wastewater monitoring can be used to provide early warning for COVID outbreaks. The Buncombe & Henderson counties wastewater data on the North Carolina COVID Dashboard for the week ending on August 28^th shows:

• The number of viral gene copies in each water sample is between 80-100%, the highest level of 5 groups.
• The 15-day rate of change of the number of viral gene copies in each water sample is between 1 to 9%, the lowest level of 3 groups with a positive rate of change.

 

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Contact: Dr. Dick Needleman, Health reporter, 103.3 AshevilleFM, [email protected]

More Posts for Show: Asheville FM News Hour