VAT Trap Blog

Patients often ask about home monitoring tools — ECG devices, blood pressure monitors, glucose apps. We now also encourage people to track their waistline and visceral fat, using body composition scales alongside more traditional equipment. To support this, I have created a page of recommended home gadgets that can help patients take greater ownership of their health — a vital step towards a more proactive, prevention-focused model of care, guided by their clinical and educat

Stress is an unavoidable part of modern life. We encounter it at work, at home, in traffic, and even while reading the news. Although we often discuss stress casually, its impact on the human body is profound—particularly on the cardiovascular system. In this article, we will explore how stress affects the heart and blood vessels, drawing on clinical insights, expanding scientific knowledge, and practical stress-management strategies. By the end, you will see why stress is a

Aspirin, or acetylsalicylic acid, is one of the oldest and most widely used medications in the world. Well known for its analgesic effects, it was later discovered to be effective in much smaller doses in preventing platelet aggregation that had a pivotal role in arterial thrombosis. Its role in inhibiting platelet activity has made it a cornerstone in the prevention and treatment of arterial thrombosis. In this article, we will explore the fascinating role of platelets in a

Research indicates that approximately 20% of the global population has elevated Lp(a), making it a prevalent, yet under-recognised, CVD risk factor. Despite its clinical significance, the management of elevated Lp(a) remains challenging. Standard lipid-lowering therapies, including statins, have little to no effect on Lp(a) and may even slightly increase its levels. However, emerging therapies such as PCSK9 inhibitors and innovative supplements like curcumin are shedding ligh

In atrial fibrillation or AFib, the atrial tissue quivers at approximately 600 cycles per minute, which means that it has no useful pumping function. The left atrium therefore, in patients with atrial fibrillation, merely acts as a passive conduit between the lungs and the left ventricle. It no longer serves to prime the left ventricle, and as a result, less blood enters the heart during diastole, less ‘priming’ occurs so cardiac output may fall. If ever you have experienced

Recent scientific discoveries have aligned much like planets, leading to an inescapable conclusion among many physicians that glucose metabolism may be even more important than LDL cholesterol in the genesis of many modern diseases.

An article by Dr Edward Leatham, Consultant Cardiologist. As cardiologists, our primary focus is often on diagnosing, treating, and managing cardiovascular diseases, which is essential to healthcare. However, heart health involves more than just addressing immediate conditions—it also includes promoting […]

When clots from the left atrial appendage dislodge, they can travel to various parts of the body, including the coronary artery, which receives about 5% of the blood from each heartbeat, or the cerebral arteries, accounting for approximately 20% of each cardiac cycle’s output

Statins are a mind boggling biological ‘ruse’. When this medication is taken orally, it causes liver cells to become deficient in essential cholesterol, so they respond by increasing the number of cell surface LDL receptors, thereby enhancing their capacity to extract LDL particles from the blood, significantly lowering circulating LDL levels. Statins remain the most effective and well-known way that doctors can lower LDL levels to prevent or treat coronary heart disease.

Continuous glucose monitoring offers a valuable tool for anyone concerned with their long-term health, especially those with a family history of diabetes or other cardiovascular risk factors. Whether through self-monitoring or professional analysis such as our metabolic health assessment, CGMs can provide actionable insights that help individuals manage their glucose levels more effectively, ultimately contributing to a healthier, longer life. By understanding and managing yo

The idea of predicting a heart attack may have once seemed like science fiction, but it is rapidly becoming a reality. With the advent of advanced imaging techniques and artificial intelligence, we are now able to detect the early signs of coronary heart disease and intervene before a heart attack occurs. This represents a major shift in the way we approach cardiovascular care, moving from a reactive model to a proactive one.

This blog explores how individuals can conduct their own experiments to maintain a steady blood glucose and avoid potentially unhealthy glucose spikes above 7.8 mmol/L (140 mg/dL).

There is a wealth of evidence linking pre-diabetes, raised HbA1c, and full-blown type 2 diabetes to increasing cardiovascular risk. Lesser degrees of a pre diabetic metabolism could therefore have an important role in causing long-term atherosclerosis.

Detecting coronary calcification on CT has been known as a sign of having coronary artery disease for over 30 years, but now the thinking has changed, and it might be logical to conclude that, if you have non calcified coronary artery disease, the best you can hope for is a strategy that calcifies your plaque!

Recognition that significant coronary artery disease exists without calcification led to the wider user of contrast-enhanced CT scans to detect both calcified and noncalcified plaques. Even more advanced scans identify not only the non calcified plaques, but also areas of inflammation (using data processing to measure FAI), that a non-contrast CT (such as a CAC scan) would otherwise miss. Sequential CAC to follow up disease progression quickly established that an increase in

In this guide, we will explore a multifaceted approach involving increased physical activity, dietary modifications, and consistent monitoring to effectively lose fat and enhance overall health.

Continuous glucose monitors are transforming diabetes care, but their insights may extend far beyond diabetic patients. Evidence suggests that post-meal glucose spikes and glucose variability may influence cardiovascular health. While definitive trials are still needed, CGMs offer a practical tool to help patients understand metabolic responses and adopt healthier dietary and lifestyle habits.

Numerous epidemiological studies have supported the hypothesis that high homocysteine levels are a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. For example, the Framingham Heart Study demonstrated that individuals with homocysteine levels in the top fifth percentile had a nearly doubled risk of developing coronary artery disease compared to those with levels in the bottom 80 percent.

The medical understanding of a “heart attack” can sometimes diverge from the layperson’s perception. Many people interpret a heart attack as any acute, potentially fatal cardiac event, regardless of its cause. This discrepancy necessitates a deeper exploration of heart attack causes unrelated to coronary artery disease, particularly for understanding familial risks and discussing preventative measures like statins.

Medicine must change in response to rising costs, growing complexity and workforce pressures. Doctors and health influencers must empower individuals to take responsibility for their own wellbeing. My role has evolved from fixing broken hearts to preventing them from breaking in the first place.