“High blood pressure is a known cardiovascular disease risk factor, and lipoprotein(a) is a type of inherited ‘bad’ cholesterol that may also lead to cardiovascular disease,” said lead study author Rishi Rikhi, M.D., M.S., a cardiovascular medicine fellow at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. “We found that among people with hypertension who have never experienced a stroke or heart attack before, lipoprotein(a) seems to increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and risk of a major cardiovascular event like heart attack or stroke.”
Hypertension is a key risk factor for cardiovascular disease. In this study, hypertension was defined as a top number of 140 mmHg or higher, a bottom number of 90 or mmHg or the use of blood pressure medication. In 2017, the Association updated its definition of hypertension to be a top number of 130 mmHg or higher or a bottom number of 80 mmHg or higher. Previous studies have indicated that when a person has hypertension and lipid imbalance, or dyslipidemia, their cardiovascular disease risk substantially increases. According to the study’s authors, there is less information on how much of an affect lipoprotein(a) may have on cardiovascular disease risk among people with hypertension.
Lipoproteins, which are made up of protein and fat, carry cholesterol through the blood. The subtypes of lipoproteins include low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and lipoprotein(a), or Lp(a). Much like LDL cholesterol, lipoprotein(a) cholesterol may deposit and build up in the walls of blood vessels, thus increasing a person’s risk of a heart attack or stroke.
The research used health data from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) study, an ongoing community-based study in the U.S. of subclinical cardiovascular disease—meaning the disease is discovered before there are clinical signs and symptoms. MESA is a research study including nearly 7,000 adults that began in 2000 and is still following participants in six locations across the U.S.: Baltimore; Chicago; New York; Los Angeles County, California; Forsyth County, North Carolina; and St. Paul, Minnesota. At the time of enrollment in the study, all participants were free from cardiovascular disease.
The current study included 6,674 MESA participants who had lipoprotein(a) levels and blood pressure assessed and for whom there was documented cardiovascular disease event data throughout MESA’s follow-up exams in approximately 2001, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2010, 2017 and in telephone interviews every 9 to 12 months to gather interim data on new diagnoses, procedures, hospitalization and deaths. The study’s participants were from diverse racial and ethnic groups: 38.6% self-identified as white adults; 27.5% self-identified as African American adults; 22.1% self-identified as Hispanic adults; and 11.9% self-identified as Chinese American (n=791) adults. Additionally, more than half of the group was female (52.8%).
To evaluate the potential correlation between hypertension and lipoprotein(a) on the development of cardiovascular disease, the researchers first categorized the participants into groups based on their lipoprotein(a) levels and blood pressure measures obtained once at baseline:
- Group 1 (2,837 people): lipoprotein(a) levels less than 50 mg/dL and no hypertension.
- Group 2 (615 people): lipoprotein(a) levels greater than or equal to 50mg/dL and no hypertension
- Group 3 (2,502 people): lipoprotein(a) levels less than 50mg/dL and hypertension
- Group 4 (720 people): lipoprotein(a) levels ≥ 50mg/dL and hypertension
Participants were followed for an average of approximately 14 years and cardiovascular events, including heart attack, cardiac arrest, stroke or death from coronary artery disease, were tracked.
The study’s results include:
- A total of 809 of the participants experienced a cardiovascular disease event.
- Lipoprotein(a) levels had an effect on hypertension status that was statistically significant (meaning it was not due to chance).
- When compared to Group 1 (low lipoprotein(a) levels and no hypertension), Group 2 (higher lipoprotein(a) levels and no hypertension) did not have an increased risk for cardiovascular disease events.
- Less than 10% of Group 1 (7.7%) and Group 2 (participants 8%) had cardiovascular disease events.
- Participants in Groups 3 and 4, all of whom had hypertension, demonstrated a statistically significant increase in risk for cardiovascular disease events when compared to those in Group 1.
- Approximately 16.2% of the people in Group 3 (lower lipoprotein(a) levels and hypertension) had cardiovascular disease events, and 18.8% of the participants in Group 4 (higher lipoprotein(a) levels and hypertension) experienced cardiovascular disease events.
“We found that the overwhelming amount of cardiovascular risk in this diverse population appears to be due to hypertension,” Rikhi said. “Additionally, individuals with hypertension had even higher cardiovascular risk when lipoprotein(a) was elevated. The fact that lipoprotein(a) appears to modify the relationship between hypertension and cardiovascular disease is interesting, and suggests important interactions or relationships for hypertension, lipoprotein(a) and cardiovascular disease, and more research is needed.”
Everyone can improve their cardiovascular health by following the American Heart Association’s Life’s Essential 8: eating healthy food, being physically active, not smoking, getting enough sleep, maintaining a healthy weight, and controlling cholesterol, blood sugar and blood pressure levels. Cardiovascular disease claims more lives each year in the U.S. than all forms of cancer and chronic lower respiratory disease combined, according to the American Heart Association.
TOLONO -- Mark Twain said, "It's not the size of the dog in the fight it's the size of the fight in the dog." Unity showed visiting Champaign Central (1-4) that despite more than half their size in enrollment, they can run with big dogs after prevailing 65-56 in the non-conference meeting at the Rocket Center on Tuesday.
Henry Thomas led all scorers with a game-high 25 points, 11 of them, thanks to 13 trips to the free throw line for the Rockets. Also finishing with double-digit scoring for the home team were Dalton O'Neill with 16 points, and Austin Langendorf, who had 10.
Expecting an easy non-league match, the Maroons' comfortable first quarter 15-7 lead evaporated by the end of the second, with the Rockets trailing by one at the break, 30-29.
O'Neill, a junior, drained two of his three treys in the contest in the third quarter igniting the Unity offense.
Central, paced by Chris Bush's 20-points performance in the first three periods of play, couldn't buy a shot in the final quarter. When the sophomore's shooting prowess fizzled out, and the team's offense went colder than a Siberian winter day despite David Riley's attempt to heat things up, scoring all eight of his team's fourth-quarter points.
The Rockets doubled the Champaign school's output, thanks to another three from O'Neill and nine points from Henry Thomas in his best frame of the night.
Improving to 4-2 on the season, the Rockets hit the hardwood again on Friday at Clifton Central and host Pleasant Plains on Saturday at 4:30 pm.
The 2023 State Business Tax Index survey, out this week, ranked Illinois 36th out of the 50 states for the efficiency and competitiveness of its tax code. The results showed while wage earners are doing well, small businesses, homeowners, and consumers are shouldering an outsized share of the state's tax burden.
Janelle Fritts, policy analyst for the Tax Foundation, said even though Illinois finished in the bottom third of the rankings, it could have been worse.
"Illinois' best category is the personal income tax, and that's because Illinois has a flat income tax with a relatively low rate of 4.95%," Fritts pointed out. "That is really what's bringing up the score from being even lower."
The annual survey, put out by the Washington D.C.-based Tax Foundation, ranks states based on how their tax policies affect the state's economy. Fritts explained governments need to earn revenue, but when taxes get too high, the economy is less competitive and can drive people to move to states with lower taxes.
Fritts added Illinois' other tax categories, including sales, corporate, and unemployment, are dragging down the state's rankings, but one particular levy is taking the biggest bite.
"Where Illinois really struggles is property taxes, which I'm sure will come as no surprise," Fritts contended. "Illinois has very, very large property-tax burdens in terms of how much they bring in and how big of a portion of personal income property taxes are."
Fritts noted the effectiveness of a state's tax system often determines the success of its economy.
"States' biggest competitors are each other," Fritts remarked. "As the economy is becoming increasingly mobile, tax competitiveness matters more than ever before. So people are looking at those tax codes. They do make a difference for both businesses and residences. So states do need to be aware of how they compare."
Neighboring states Indiana, Iowa and Wisconsin were all ranked higher than Illinois. The top five in the survey were Wyoming, South Dakota, Alaska, Florida and Montana. New Jersey came in last.
Thanksgiving always comes and goes too fast. We often think, "We need more time to focus on the Thanksgiving holiday." For many, it seems that Thanksgiving gets sandwiched between Halloween and Christmas.
By late September, many of the stores and television commercials are focusing on Christmas.
The only way we can fix the “fast Thanksgiving” holiday is to make Thanksgiving celebration every day. We shouldn’t wait until Thanksgiving to give thanks but give thanks every day.
A thankful heart is a healthier heart. Living in an attitude of Thanksgiving celebrates the gift of life and every opportunity to live life.
Many of us have dreaded the shorter days. Dark by 6 o’clock and soon by 5 or even 4:30 in some areas. I used to always dread that but my attitude has changed. I’m just happy to be alive to experience the changing seasons. Take advantage of these cooler, shorter days to get some rest. Longer days will be back soon and you can mow grass, work or walk until 9:00 or later every evening. Go with the flow and enjoy the differences.
I miss the Thanksgivings when my mom and dad were alive and mother cooked. If everyone got together, we could have 20 people in the house. This was a tiring time for my mother. Be sure to always praise the person carrying the cooking load.
Time passes quickly. Every day we should embrace the day. When you see someone, talk to someone, share a meal with someone then by all means embrace and savor the moment. Give thanks for all occasions that you have to spend time with others whether family or friends.
Thanksgiving is not the same for many of us because there are empty seats at the table. We miss moms and dads who have left us for a better place. We miss wives, husbands, children, and siblings who have left this life too early. This makes us sad and dampens our spirits. Yet, look around and see the people who may not be here next year. There are no guarantees. Be kind, be loving. Say good words to them. Lift them up. It will make you feel better to give thanks for people and to anoint them.
Jesus was anointed by Mary the sister of Martha before his arrest and crucifixion. Some criticized her for doing it but Jesus said she has prepared me for the burial. Let her alone he said she has done a good work. After Mary finished anointing Jesus’ feet the house was filled with the smell of the ointment. When you love and are kind to people it always brings a better fragrance and atmosphere into the house. A part of this is showing Thanksgiving for them and toward them. Mary ended up with that ointment on her hands and in her hair. When you do good stuff for people to honor them a lot of that good stuff comes back to you.
Have Thanksgiving every day. Give thanks, express thanks and live in a spirit of being thankful. Your attitude will make your day better and encourage others around you.
I got my first period when I was ten; by age 12 I spent several days a month hunched over, bleeding, and crying in pain. The gynecologist I went to told me I may have endometriosis, brushed off the pain as “normal” and recommended that I take birth control pills to regulate my period. I thought being on birth control at 12 was normal. It wasn’t until a few conversations with my friends, and the extreme concern expressed by my mother, that I became aware that it was in fact not normal.
Looking back at that experience, I find myself not only angry at the lack of care I received from my provider but how I didn't know how to advocate for myself. Ten years later when I am talking to my new OB-GYN about my cycle and various physical symptoms I’ve been experiencing, she responded with a question “Do you think you have PCOS?” I didn’t know what that was. 
