(Sitthiphong, Getty Images) When doctors are sorting out what to do about a patient’s cholesterol, a key calculation is that patient’s future risk for developing heart disease. But what if that risk is uncertain? New cholesterol guidelines released Saturday suggest it can help to have a coronary artery calcium test when risk status for people…
(Scott Bodell for American Heart Association) With the release of new guidelines for treating and managing cholesterol, you may have some questions – not only about the changes in the update, but about cholesterol itself. Let’s start by acknowledging that while cholesterol is often talked about, it’s tricky to understand. You probably know that high…
(Scott Bodell for American Heart Association) Exposure to high blood cholesterol over a lifetime can increase the risk for heart attack or stroke, and new scientific guidelines say managing this waxy, fat-like substance in the blood should be a concern for all ages. The guidelines, published Saturday in the journal Circulation, are meant to help…
(GIPhotoStock, Getty Images) Health care providers regularly consult documents called guidelines when determining the best way to treat a patient. But what exactly are guidelines? Why are they so important? And how are they made? Guidelines help doctors understand the best ways to diagnose, treat and even prevent diseases and conditions. Guideline recommendations are based…