Doctor-reviewed clinical guides on cardiovascular medicine, hypertension, lipid management, diabetes, and arterial health.
Heart & Cardiometabolic HealthA comprehensive clinical roadmap to understanding and reversing Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD). Covers hepatic fat accumulation, elevated ALT/SGPT interpretation, FibroScan CAP scores, insulin resistance, and an actionable evidence-based dietary plan.
Heart & Cardiometabolic HealthHypertension (BP ≥ 130/80 mmHg) is the single most modifiable risk factor for stroke, myocardial infarction and chronic kidney disease. Understand the physiological processes that result in lowering blood pressure without medication, including the DASH diet, salt/potassium balance, isometric training and autonomic modulation of stress.
Heart & Cardiometabolic HealthType 2 Diabetes is a progressive metabolic disease that causes insulin resistance in peripheral tissues and progressive dysfunction of pancreatic β cells. This article will discuss the current diagnostic criteria set forth by the American Diabetes Association (ADA), modern cardioprotective therapies such as GLP-1 RA and SGLT2 inhibitors, as well as Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) and diabetes remission therapies.
Heart & Cardiometabolic HealthCoronary Artery Disease (CAD) is the leading cause of mortality globally, caused by atherosclerotic plaque build up in the epicardial coronary arteries. This section covers current diagnostic modalities such as coronary artery calcium scoring and CT coronary angiography plus current medical therapy including high intensity statins, beta blockers & ACE inhibitors. Indications for revascularisation are also discussed.
Heart & Cardiometabolic HealthPeripheral artery disease (PAD) causes exertional leg cramping (claudication), cold limbs and slow healing ulcers. It occurs due to atherosclerosis causing stenosis of the arteries in the lower limbs. This article will review diagnostic criteria (ABI measurements), antiplatelet therapy and supervised exercise.
Heart & Cardiometabolic HealthAtrial Fibrillation (AFib) is the most common chronic cardiac arrhythmia. It causes irregular and rapid electrical impulses (300-600bpm) in the atria. Understand how stroke risk can be assessed, using the CHA2DS2-VASc scoring system. Recognise the role of modern Direct Oral Anticoagulants (DOACs). Understand how rate and rhythm control can be achieved. Know about catheter ablation to isolate pulmonary veins.
Heart & Cardiometabolic HealthHeart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a condition characterised by left ventricular hypertrophy or stiffness. This prevents appropriate filling of the heart during diastole. It can be diagnosed using biomarkers such as NT-proBNP and echocardiography e’/E ratios. Patients can also be managed with evidence based therapies such as SGLT2 inhibitors and blood pressure control.
Heart & Cardiometabolic HealthAtherogenic dyslipidaemia is a primary modifiable risk factor in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. This lecture will provide an overview of contemporary lipidology, including Apo B, non-HDL cholesterol, Lipoprotein(a), evidence based statin dosing algorithms, and novel non-statin therapies (e.g. Ezetimibe, PCSK9 inhibitors).
Heart & Cardiometabolic HealthDiabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (DPN) is the most common chronic microvascular complication of diabetes affecting up to 50% of diabetic patients over the course of their life. This essay will explore the biochemical pathways involved in neural glucotoxicity (polyol pathway and accumulation of sorbitol, and microvascular vasa nervorum ischemia), clinical testing using 10-g Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments, and pharmacological treatment for pain.
Heart & Cardiometabolic HealthHypoglycaemia (< 70mg/dL blood sugar) is a potentially life threatening acute endocrine emergency often seen in patients on insulin or sulfonylureas. This article will discuss the neuroendocrine effects of decreasing blood sugar, the difference between autonomic and neuroglycopenic symptoms, the standardised clinical approach known as The Rule of 15 and emergency glucagon rescue.
Heart & Cardiometabolic HealthMetabolic Syndrome is a cluster of inter-related abnormalities that greatly increases the risk of developing cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and mortality. We will look at the standard diagnostic criteria for Metabolic Syndrome (NCEP ATP III), the pathophysiology of visceral adiposity and lipotoxicity and finally at the full range of lifestyle interventions available to reverse Metabolic Syndrome.
