The “signal light” of cardiovascular health——AIP (arteriosclerosis index in plasma)

Author: Wang Luchao, deputy chief physician of Hanzhong Central Hospital, Shaanxi Province

Reviewer: Dong Jin, Chief Physician, Hanzhong Central Hospital, Shaanxi Province

Cardiovascular disease is one of the most important health problems in the world, and atherosclerosis is the main risk factor for cardiovascular disease. As an emerging health indicator, the plasma atherogenicity index (AIP) has attracted much attention in the field of heart health and has gradually become an important tool for predicting the risk of cardiovascular disease.

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1.What is AIP?

The calculation method of AIP is actually very simple. It is calculated by measuring the ratio between triglycerides (TG) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C, also known as "good" cholesterol) in the blood, and then taking the logarithm of this ratio. Formula: AIP = log(TG/HDL-C). Although the formula looks simple, AIP reflects a lot of important health information. The higher the AIP value, the greater the risk of atherosclerosis.

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2. Advantages of AIP

Compared with looking at TG or HDL-C alone, the advantage of AIP is that it can comprehensively reflect the complex situation of blood lipid metabolism in our body, and can also reveal many health problems related to cardiovascular disease, such as insulin resistance and chronic inflammation. Therefore, AIP can provide doctors with more details of patients' abnormal blood lipids, which is helpful for doctors to develop individualized blood lipid management plans for patients.

3. Relationship between AIP and diseases

①AIP and coronary heart disease: early warning signs

People with higher AIP values ​​may be more susceptible to coronary heart disease and their condition may be more serious. AIP can provide a scientific basis for doctors to detect and intervene in coronary heart disease at an early stage [1].

②Health "barometer" for patients with diabetes and hypertension

For diabetic patients, a high AIP value not only indicates an increased risk of coronary heart disease, but also indicates that the coronary artery stenosis is more severe[2]. There is also a certain correlation between the AIP of hypertensive patients and the degree of vascular sclerosis. By monitoring AIP, doctors can take action earlier and develop more accurate treatment plans to reduce or delay the occurrence of heart disease.

4. Differences in AIP between men and women

AIP varies between men and women. Especially in postmenopausal women, AIP values ​​usually increase due to changes in hormone levels, which may be closely related to the occurrence of cardiovascular diseases [3].

5. How can I manage AIP through my daily life to protect my heart health?

If you want to lower your AIP value and keep your heart healthy, you can start from the following aspects:

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(1) Refine your dietary strategy

①Omega-3 intake: Omega-3 is one of the essential fatty acids for the human body and must be taken in through diet. It helps to lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease; regulate blood lipid levels, reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and triglyceride levels in the blood, and protect the health of the cardiovascular system. It is recommended to include at least two servings of fatty fish in the weekly diet. At the same time, in order to enhance the effect of Omega-3, you can reduce the intake of high Omega-6 fatty acids, which are usually found in vegetable oils such as corn oil and sunflower oil. Because they compete with Omega-3, they may affect the utilization of Omega-3 in the body.

②Increase dietary fiber: High-fiber foods can not only help control weight, but also stabilize blood sugar levels and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. You should consume at least 25 to 30 grams of dietary fiber every day, which can be achieved by eating more beans, whole grains, nuts, and a variety of vegetables and fruits.

③ Take antioxidants: Antioxidants in fruits and vegetables, such as vitamins C and E, as well as various minerals and plant compounds (such as flavonoids and anthocyanins), can help resist oxidative stress in the body and inhibit the development of atherosclerosis.

(2) Exercise moderately

① Diversified exercise: In addition to regular aerobic exercise, you can try to combine strength training, flexibility training and balance training to improve your overall physical fitness. This can be achieved by practicing yoga, Pilates or using fitness equipment.

② Increase intensity moderately: After adapting to a certain intensity of exercise, you can gradually increase the difficulty and duration of exercise to further promote health. For example, from jogging to sprinting, from short-distance cycling to long-distance cycling.

③Recovery and rest: While strengthening exercise, you also need to pay attention to the recovery and rest of your body. Arrange exercise and rest time reasonably to avoid physical fatigue and injury caused by overtraining.

(3) Stay away from tobacco and alcohol

① Quit smoking: Smoking not only affects cardiovascular health, but also causes damage to the respiratory system, cardiovascular system, etc. A deep understanding of the harm of smoking will help strengthen your determination to quit smoking.

②Limit or quit drinking: Excessive drinking can lead to alcohol poisoning, liver damage and other health problems. Understanding the harm of drinking, drinking in moderation or quitting drinking completely is an important step to protect heart health.

(4) Take medication as directed by your doctor

Get a comprehensive understanding of your treatment options: Learn how lipid-lowering medications, such as statins, work and their potential side effects.

Regular check-ups: Follow your doctor's advice and have regular blood lipid tests and other related indicators checked to monitor the effectiveness of treatment and adjust the treatment plan in a timely manner.

Summary: AIP, as an indicator of heart health, is attracting more and more attention. By regularly monitoring AIP, we can better understand our heart health and take effective measures under the guidance of doctors to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Paying attention to AIP means paying attention to our life health and laying a solid foundation for enjoying a longer and healthier life.

References:

[1]YIN B, WU Z, XIA Y, et al. Non-linear association of atherogenic index of plasma with insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes: A cross-sectional study[J]. Cardiovasc Diabetol, 2023,22(1):157.

[2] WANG L, CHEN F, XIAOQI C, et al. Atherogenic Index of Plasma Is an Independent Risk Factor for Coronary Artery Disease and a Higher SYNTAX Score[J]. Angiology, 2021,72(2):181-186.

[3]YOU FF, GAO J, GAO YN, et al. Association between atherogenic index of plasma and all-cause mortality and specific-mortality: A nationwide population-based cohort study[J]. Cardiovasc Diabetol, 2024,23(1):276.

[Funded by: Shaanxi Provincial Key R&D Program (2024SF-YBXM-012)]