No blood loss, no need for needles… now, people can determine the thickness of the carotid artery wall to predict the risk of atherosclerosis leading to heart disease. This is thanks to a technique for measuring cholesterol levels in skin tissue.
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Carotid Artery System |
Measuring cholesterol on the skin is very simple; you just need to apply a special solvent to a small area of skin on the palm and wait one minute for it to dry. Then, apply an indicator to this skin area, and immediately the surface will turn blue. Different shades of blue will indicate the cholesterol content.
Dr. James H. Stein and colleagues from the University of Wisconsin, USA, investigated the relationship between cholesterol in skin tissue and the thickness of the carotid artery wall in 81 individuals with an average age of 56, who were previously unaware of their cardiovascular health. The results showed that those with the highest cholesterol levels in their skin had significantly thicker carotid artery walls compared to those with the lowest levels, indicating a potential threat to their heart health. This finding remained consistent even when accounting for other factors leading to heart disease.
“Since the cholesterol levels in skin tissue are very easy to measure, this could be a useful and convenient method for predicting cardiovascular risks,” Stein noted.
Mỹ Linh (according to Reuters)
