Can high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and lipoprotein(a) levels be used to predict cardiovascular risk over a long period of time? NEJM Editorial Fellow Sarah Gorey breaks down the Women’s Health Study in this 60-Second Journal Club. Full study: https://nej.md/3Mrh9A8 | The New England Journal of Medicine

🫀 Cholesterol & Genetic Risk • Lipid panel – LDL, HDL, triglycerides • Lipoprotein(a) – one-time genetic check • ApoB – counts all harmful cholesterol particles 🍬 Blood Sugar Control • A1C – 3-month average • Fasting glucose – diabetes screen 💧 Kidney & Metabolic Health • Creatinine & eGFR – kidney function • Electrolytes – sodium, potassium, calcium 🦋 Hormones & Inflammation • Thyroid (TSH, T4) – rhythm & metabolism • CRP – inflammation marker • Vitamin D – linked to heart health 🩸 Blood H

🫀🩸 How Does Our Body Regulate LDL? LDL (low-density lipoprotein) is often referred to as "bad cholesterol" because high levels can lead to plaque buildup in the arteries, increasing the risk of heart attack and stroke. But our body has a natural system to help clear LDL from the blood: LDL receptors. However, a protein called PCSK9 can reduce the number of LDL receptors, allowing LDL levels to rise. 💊 Medications like PCSK9 inhibitors (Repatha (evolocumab) and Praluent (alirocumab)) work by b