Scientists observed that people who adhered to a Mediterranean diet had a lower risk of heart disease, even in the face of having other cardiovascular risk factors.

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First, the AHA guidelines were designed based on knowledge of risk factors for cardiovascular disease and thus did not take into account certain risk factors for specific cancers.

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Not surprisingly, the researchers found a clear relationship between the adolescents' body mass index and their likelihood of having risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

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Individuals with high triglyceride levels should undergo further assessment of other cardiovascular risk factors, such as obesity, hypertension, abnormal glucose metabolism, and liver dysfunction.

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Although the heart disease-inflammation link is promising, there is still controversy over whether heart inflammation is truly independent of other, more established cardiovascular risk factors, such as cholesterol or smoking, O'Donnell says.

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Subjects in the LibiGel safety study are a minimum of 50 years old and up to 80 years of age, and they must have at least two cardiovascular risk factors at enrollment.

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"Pediatricians and other healthcare providers who work with adolescents need to be aware of, and follow through with, screening guidelines and recommendations for obesity and also other cardiovascular risk factors, and suggest appropriate behavioral interventions, " May says.

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