Desktop Tablet Phone
Printable page in A4 size From "British Journal of Sports Medicine"
2017; 51: pages 133-139 doi:10.1136/bjsports-2016-096491- Review
Evidence that supports the prescription of
low-carbohydrate high-fat diets: a narrative review
The effects of low-carbohydrate high-fat diets on some cardiovascular risk factors
Low-carbohydrate high-fat (LCHF) diets are a highly contentious current topic in nutrition. This narrative review aims to provide clinicians with a broad overview of the effects of LCHF diets on body weight, glycaemic control and cardiovascular risk factors while addressing some common concerns and misconceptions. Blood total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol concentrations show a variable, highly individual response to LCHF diets, and should be monitored in patients adhering to this diet.
| Marker | Effect | Mean change (95% CI) |
|---|---|---|
| Weight (kg) | Decreases | -7.04 (-7.20 to -6.98) |
| BMI (kg/m2) | Decreases | -2.09 (-2.15 to -2.04) |
| Abdominal circumference (cm) | Decreases | -5.74 (-6.07 to -5.41) |
| Systolic blood pressure (mm Hg) | Decreases | -4.80 (-5.53 to -4.29) |
| Diastolic blood pressure (mm Hg) | Decreases | -3.10 (-3.45 to -2.74) |
| HDL cholesterol (mg/dL) | Increases | +1.73 (1.44 to 2.01) |
| LDL cholesterol (mg/dL) | No significant change (variable) | -0.48 (-1.53 to 0.57) |
| Plasma triglycerides (mg/dL) | Decreases | -29.71 (-31.99 to -27.44) |
| Glycated haemoglobin (%) | Decreases | -0.21 (-0.24 to -0.18) |
| Plasma insulin (µIU/mL) | Decreases | -2.24 (-2.65 to -1.82) |
-
Adapted, with permission, from Santos et al.
Even Fit People Are At Risk of a Heart Attack
Jonathan Bennion (25 minutes)
Published by: Institute of Human Anatomy - 15 Dec 2025
Think heart attacks only happen to people who are unhealthy or don't exercise? Think again. In this video, Jonathan from the Institute of Human Anatomy, breaks down the incredible story of his athlete brother who suffered a heart attack during a half-marathon, and what the angiogram revealed about his heart.
Table of Contents
00:00 - Intro
01:06 - What is a Myocardial Infarction? (Heart Attack Anatomy)
01:32 - Coronary Arteries and Blood Flow to the Heart
02:05 - The "Widowmaker" Artery (Left Anterior Descending Artery)
02:31 - Atherosclerosis & Plaque Buildup in Coronary Artery Disease
03:30 - How Much Blockage Causes Symptoms? (The 70% Rule)
04:20 - Stable Angina (Chest Pain with Exertion) Explained
05:06 - Plaque Rupture: The Most Common Cause of a Sudden Heart Attack
05:33 - Heart Attack Symptoms (Including Subtle Signs in Women)
05:59 - How Long Until Irreversible Heart Damage Occurs?
06:35 - Treatment: Clot-Busting Drugs & Angioplasty (Placing a Stent)
07:13 - Risk Factors for Plaque: High Blood Pressure, Smoking, Cholesterol
08:12 - My Brother's Story: Heart Attack During a Spartan Race
09:11 - The Race, the Delay, and the Text: "I'm at the hospital."
12:44 - Atrial Fibrillation (AFib): Symptoms, Causes, and Dangers
14:50 - Cardioversion and Why the Paramedics Took Him
15:12 - Troponin Levels: How they Diagnose a Heart Attack
16:25 - The Diagnosis: Type 2 Myocardial Infarction Secondary to AFib
17:46 - Collateral Circulation: Why Athletes are Resilient (Anatomy Deep Dive)
19:07 - How Exercise Helps Grow New Collateral Blood Vessels
19:52 - What Caused the AFib? Dehydration, Sleep, and High Caffeine
20:48 - The Verdict: Should I Still Exercise If I Have Plaque Buildup?
21:25 - Crucial Screening Tests: CAC Score & CT Angiogram (Reducing Your Risk)
22:17 - The Importance of Lifestyle: Diet, Sleep, Stress, and Exercise
Return to Cardio Vascular Health Homepage (Mobile Phone)
