How To Reduce Your Risk of Heart Disease

Cardiologist Dr Scott Murray discusses what we can all do to reduce our risk of heart disease. I think many of us are familiar with the idea that elevated levels of the so-called bad cholesterol - low density lipoprotein or LDL for short - have been linked to cardiovascular illness. (Although, in fact there is a group of scientists who argue that LDL levels are unconnected with heart disease.) But Scott argues the picture is actually  far more complicated than looking at just one factor and we need to be examining all the different elements that make up our cholesterol and fats. That means looking at our figures for total cholesterol, high density lipoproteins (HDL), LDL and triglycerides, not solely focussing on LDL to get an accurate picture of what is really going on in our bodies. And there is one other factor that is often overlooked, but that Scott believes is an even bigger risk for heart disease and that is a high blood sugar level. But as Scott reveals, the good news is that there is preventive action you can take. The host of the podcast, Liz Tucker is an award winning medical journalist and former BBC producer and director.  You can follow Liz on Twitter at https://twitter.com/lizctucker and read her Substack newsletter about the podcast at https://liztucker.substack.com If you would like to support this podcast you can do so via Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/WhatYourGPDoesntTellYou or via PayPal at https://www.whatyourgpdoesnttellyou.com/support/ What Your GP Doesn’t Tell You has been selected by Feedspot as one of the top 15 UK Medical Podcasts https://blog.feedspot.com/uk_medical_podcasts/

Om Podcasten

Finalist in the recent 2024 Independent Podcast Awards, this fortnightly podcast reveals the stories from the world of medicine that others don’t, won’t or only very partially report. Aimed at both doctors and the public, it’s hosted by award winning medical journalist and former BBC producer Liz Tucker, who reports not just on the science but on the finance and money that can impact it. Liz asks what does the medical data actually tell us and why is this often interpreted and presented very differently? How do we know what information to trust and when should we ask our GP, but what’s the evidence? Follow Liz on Twitter at @lizctucker And on Substack on https://liztucker.substack.com Podcast Website: https://www.whatyourgpdoesnttellyou.com/