Ensure that interactive elements are easy to identify
Good design guides the user by communicating purpose and priority. For that reason, every part of the design should be based on an “informed decision” rather than an arbitrary result of personal taste or the current trend.
Let’s Talk About Pimples—on Your Heart?
You’ve probably heard that high cholesterol is the villain when it comes to heart disease. But what if I told you that’s not the full story?
In fact, cholesterol may not even be the lead character in this medical drama.
To break this down, I like to use a weird (but effective) analogy: think of a heart attack like a pimple popping inside your artery. Gross? Absolutely. But accurate.
These heart pimples—aka inflamed plaques—burst and cause the kind of damage that sends people to the ER. And while cholesterol is part of the mix, it’s not the only ingredient. There’s a whole inflammatory recipe behind that arterial zit. So let’s walk through the top culprits, and discover the real enemy you need to watch.
Sugar: The Sneaky Saboteur Behind Uric Acid
Let’s start with an unexpected player: uric acid.
Most people think of uric acid in terms of gout or too much red meat. But here’s the twist: sugar, especially fructose, is a bigger offender.
When your body can’t efficiently process sugar, uric acid levels spike—and with that comes a much higher risk for heart disease. This isn’t just theory; studies show high uric acid is linked to more heart attacks, especially as you age.
Bottom line: Cut back on sugar, especially the sneaky stuff hiding in processed foods and drinks. Your joints and your heart will thank you.
LP(a): The Gene You Only Need to Check Once
Next up is Lp(a)—also known as Lipoprotein(a). This one is genetic. You either have it elevated or you don’t, and you only need to check it once in your life.
Fortunately, both the doctor and the patient in our example had normal levels. But if yours is high, your risk jumps up dramatically. It’s worth getting tested and knowing your status.
Hemoglobin A1c: More Than Just a Diabetes Marker
We all know Hemoglobin A1c is used to monitor blood sugar over time. But did you know it also predicts heart disease?
If your A1c is high, your risk skyrockets. In fact, if it’s elevated in your early 50s, your risk of heart disease can increase over tenfold. That’s no joke.
What’s fascinating is that even when A1c looks normal, insulin resistance could already be wreaking havoc behind the scenes—which we’ll get to soon.
LDL Cholesterol: Not the Big Bad Wolf
Yes, LDL cholesterol shows up on all the usual tests, and yes, it’s commonly linked to heart problems. But honestly? It’s not the best predictor.
The doctor and the patient both had elevated LDL, and yet their outcomes were dramatically different. So clearly, there’s more to the story.
BMI & Blood Pressure: Aging’s Favorite Sidekicks
Say what you want about BMI (it’s imperfect, we get it), but it still has predictive value. Especially in older adults.
In our example, the patient’s BMI was 33—clinically obese—which increased her heart disease risk by 33%.
Pair that with high blood pressure and you’ve got a dangerous duo. Elevated BP alone more than doubles your heart risk in your 50s and still significantly increases it in your 60s and beyond.
Keep your numbers in check: aim for blood pressure in the teens over 70s.
Inflammation: The Silent Agitator
Want to know what’s really brewing those artery pimples?
It’s chronic inflammation—and we can measure it through a test called high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP). When this marker is elevated, especially long-term, it’s a red flag for heart trouble.
A normal CRP is under 1.0. The lower, the better. Elevated CRP = inflammation = risk.
ApoB and Triglycerides: The Fatty Messengers
When you eat a high-fat, low-carb diet, your body sends more fat through your bloodstream. That’s not inherently bad—unless that fat sticks around too long.
Enter ApoB, a marker that tracks the number of fat-carrying particles in your blood. And triglycerides, which tell us how your body handles carbs.
High triglycerides 12 hours after eating? That means your liver is stuffed and your insulin is likely running high, keeping those fats floating around instead of clearing out.
Our patient had elevated triglycerides for over a decade—and yep, she had a heart attack.
And the Winner Is… LPIR (Insulin Resistance)
Now we arrive at the real MVP of heart disease prediction: LPIR, or Lipoprotein Insulin Resistance Score.
This test doesn’t just look at how much sugar is in your blood. It tells you how hard your body is working to keep that sugar in check.
Even if your A1c is fine, your insulin could be running a marathon behind the scenes—and that’s what drives heart disease risk up by 540% in some age groups.
The patient in our story? Her LPIR was above 50, well into the danger zone. It predicted her heart attack better than any other lab.
So What Can You Do?
Here’s the bright side: LPIR and insulin resistance are fixable.
With smart strategies like intermittent fasting (like OMAD—One Meal A Day), cutting sugar, managing stress, and dialing in your sleep, you can lower your risk dramatically—even if you’ve already had a heart scare.
