Tag: atherosclerosis

Disease Happens Slowly, Then Suddenly: Lessons From Hemingway’s Famous Line

Posted on by Jesse Santiano, M.D.

🎧 ▶️ Press the play button below to listen in English. 🇪🇸 Spanish (Latinoamérica) Este audio explica por qué muchas enfermedades aparecen “lentamente y luego de repente”, tal como lo describió Hemingway. Presiona el botón de reproducir para escuchar. 🇨🇳 中文（简体） 本音频说明许多疾病如何“缓慢地发展，然后突然恶化”，正如海明威所描述的那样。 请按下方的播放按钮收听。 Introduction Most people have heard Ernest Hemingway’s iconic line about bankruptcy: it…

Strep From the Mouth and Blood and Sudden Cardiac Death — What You Need to Know

Posted on by Jesse Santiano, M.D.

🎧 ▶️ Press play below to listen. Your browser does not support the audio element. 🇨🇳 中文（简体） 这篇文章将带你了解：口腔中的链球菌如何进入血液、影响心脏，并在某些情况下导致突发性心脏死亡——以及你真正需要知道的关键要点。 请按下方的播放按钮收听。 I. Introduction Do you know someone who had a sudden death from a heart attack? Sudden cardiac death is when a person dies unexpectedly within one hour of symptom onset (or within 24 hours of being…

Pagpapatunay: Hindi Mapanganib ang Red Meat

Posted on by Jesse Santiano, M.D.

The article discusses the potentially exaggerated health risks associated with red meat consumption. It emphasizes the importance of research-backed information in promoting healthier lifestyles without relying on medication. The piece encourages support for its efforts in providing valuable content and includes references to studies on red meat and health outcomes.

Protect Your Heart, Love Your Red Meat—Just Move More

Posted on by Jesse Santiano, M.D.

The article discusses the relationship between red meat consumption and heart health, emphasizing that while processed meats and low fiber diets can increase the risk of cardiovascular issues, regular physical activity can offset these risks. Moderation, quality meat choices, and an active lifestyle, combined with fiber-rich foods, are crucial for maintaining health.

Red Meat, No Fiber? You’re Risking A Heart Attack

Posted on by Jesse Santiano, M.D.

A Swedish study has linked low-fiber diets to dangerous coronary artery plaques, emphasizing that dietary choices impact heart health. High-fiber, plant-based foods reduce inflammation and plaque risks, while low-fiber, high-meat diets promote harmful plaques. Thus, increasing fiber intake is vital for reducing heart disease risk and improving overall cardiovascular health.

Cholesterol and Blood Sugar: The Strong Link

Posted on by Jesse Santiano, M.D.

This article will explore how hyperglycemia alters LDL and HDL subfractions and what steps you can take to reduce blood sugar and protect your heart. Introduction Hyperglycemia, or high blood sugar, is a hallmark of diabetes and prediabetes. Beyond its direct effects on blood vessels and metabolism, hyperglycemia also affects the composition and function of…

How the OODA Loop Can Manage Toxic Postprandial Glucose Spikes

Posted on by Jesse Santiano, M.D.

Introduction: Managing postprandial blood sugar levels is crucial for individuals with diabetes and those looking to maintain optimal health. The concept of the OODA Loop, initially devised by military strategist John Boyd, can provide a practical framework for navigating these spikes in blood sugar. The OODA Loop stands for Observe, Orient, Decide, and Act, and…

A High One hour After-Meal Blood Sugar Test Can Lead to Deadly Diseases

Posted on by Jesse Santiano, M.D.

This article presents studies showing that the blood sugar level one hour after eating (post-prandial blood sugar) is highly predictive of many common diseases. At least here in the US, blood sugar levels at home can be easily checked with an inexpensive glucometer that can be bought without needing a prescription. I heard that a…

HDL Raising Drugs Do Not Improve Cardiovascular and All-Cause Mortality

Posted on by Jesse Santiano, M.D.

This article presents the studies that show that HDL-increasing drugs do not improve cardiovascular disease survival. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) is commonly known as “good cholesterol.” HDL removes cholesterol from atherosclerotic plaques from the arteries (cholesterol efflux) and returns them to the liver for elimination (reverse cholesterol transport). The effects of high levels of HDL result…

Two-Hour After-meal high blood sugar predicts Atherosclerosis better than Fasting blood sugar and HbA1c

Posted on by Jesse Santiano, M.D.

This article presents a study that showed the best blood test to predict the development of atherosclerosis. One thousand eight hundred fifty-two patients scheduled for coronary angiography were classified into Normal Glucose Tolerance (NGT), Impaired Glucose Regulation (IGR), and diabetes based on Fasting blood sugar, Post-prandial blood glucose (PBG), and Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c).[1] Blood Sugar…

High blood sugar causes Metabolic Memory

Posted on by Jesse Santiano, M.D.

This article presents a study that showed that high blood sugar could change macrophages and cause atherosclerosis. The study was published in the journal Circulation in Sept 2021. The authors are from Oxford, UK; the Karolinska Institute in Sweden, the Radboud University in the Netherlands; and the Life and Medical Sciences Institute (LIMES) at the…

How to Prevent Hyperglycemia with the Vegetables-Meat-Carbs Sequence

Posted on by Jesse Santiano, M.D.

This article presents a study that shows how to prevent the rapid rise of blood sugar after a meal or Post-Prandial Glycemia (PPG) After-Meal Blood Sugar and atherosclerosis High blood sugar after meals is a risk factor for developing diabetes and atherosclerosis. It injures the inner lining of the arteries and starts or continues atherosclerosis.[1]…

Insulin Resistance and Atherosclerosis and Nattokinase

Posted on by Jesse Santiano, M.D.

This article was updated with Mandarin audio on November 20, 2025. About the Author As a physician with decades of experience in internal medicine and emergency medicine, I often manage patients with diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular disease. This article summarizes peer-reviewed research on insulin resistance, atherosclerosis, and nattokinase, aiming to help readers understand the…

High-Dose Nattokinase and Its Potential Benefits for Blood Vessel and Lipid Health

Posted on by Jesse Santiano, M.D.

Update:This article has been revised and updated on November 21, 2025, to meet current E-E-A-T standards. The information has been reviewed for accuracy, clarity, and medical safety to ensure readers receive high-quality, evidence-based guidance. English audio below. Press play to listen Your browser does not support the audio element. 🎧 Audio Introduction — Spanish (Latinoamérica)…

Hyperinsulinemia

Posted on by Jesse Santiano, M.D.

Hyperinsulinemia means high insulin levels. Persistent high insulin leads to conditions like obesity, diabetes, and hypertension. The good news is there is something you can do about it. What is Insulin? Insulin is the primary hormone for fuel storage in the body. After eating,  macronutrients like carbohydrates, proteins, and fats are broken down into easily…

How Effective are Drugs that Increase HDL?

Posted on by Jesse Santiano, M.D.

HDL is well known as good cholesterol, and that LDL is the bad cholesterol. Therefore, to lessen the chance of a heart attack, the HDL should increase, and the LDL should decrease. The easy way to increase the HDL is to take medicines like nicotinic acid (a.k.a. niacin) and fibrates. Both medications can increase the…

Who Needs to be Checked for the Deadly Triple-A?

Posted on by Jesse Santiano, M.D.

An aortic aneurysm is a ballooning of the aorta. It starts straight from the heart. The most prominent artery that comes from the heart. It is the main pipeline for the whole body. The aneurysm can form in the chest (thoracic) and/or the abdomen. Abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA or Triple-A) are present in 3.9% to 7.2%…

The Magical Endothelium

Posted on by Jesse Santiano, M.D.

The Fantastic Brick Road Imagine yourself walking in an old town, enjoying the scene, enjoying the fresh air, and appreciating the culture. You notice something different about the brick road. The road seems to be alive. It changes its width to accommodate travelers. The more traffic, the wider it gets, and the less traffic, the…