By Dr Christian Verdicchio, CEO Heart Support Australia
Screening for cholesterol along with other risk factors such as blood pressure and blood glucose levels can significantly prevent the risk of developing CVD or identify it for those who already have it without even knowing.
Known as the ‘silent disease’ as it often presents with no symptoms, high cholesterol is a critical risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), an umbrella term for diseases caused by fatty deposits silently building up in the arteries. If left untreated, ASCVD can lead to heart attacks and strokes, accounting for 85% of all cardiovascular-related deaths worldwide.
High cholesterol is a leading cause of heart disease and stroke in the general population which can be managed and treated if detected early, avoiding potentially fatal heart attacks or strokes.
What is cholesterol and why is it so important?
Cholesterol is a fat-like substance that comes from the foods we eat or from our own body as it plays an important role in the development of our cells in the body. However, too much cholesterol can lead to the development of fatty deposits (atherosclerosis) in your blood vessels which can affect the blood flow through the arteries and if these fatty deposits break apart, they can form a clot which can lead to a heart attack or stroke. For this reason, preventing the development of high cholesterol is key to preventing heart attack or stroke.
Risk factors for high cholesterol?
High-cholesterol is caused primarily due to lifestyle-based risk factors but there are two uncontrollable risk factors being a family history of high-cholesterol and those older than 45-years are also at risk. The following risk factors significantly increase your disk of developing high cholesterol.
- Smoking
- Being overweight or obese
- Lack of exercise or physical activity
- Poor diet and nutrition
- High-blood pressure
- High-alcohol intake
How is cholesterol tested?
Cholesterol is measured via taking a blood sample. When measuring cholesterol, we generally look at LDL (low-density lipoprotein) the bad cholesterol, HDL (high-density lipoprotein) the good cholesterol and Total Cholesterol.
Another test which requires a referral from a medical practitioner is to assess Lipoprotein (a). This is a type of lipoprotein that is genetically inherited and can be an independent risk factor for heart disease based on the levels in your bloods. Talk to your GP today about your Lp(a).
How can you lower high cholesterol?
There are several ways to lower your cholesterol profile. Your GP or Cardiologist would be able to help you best ascertain what would be best for your individual risk and needs.
Diet
A healthy diet can help reduce cholesterol and more importantly reduce your weight to a healthy BMI.
Exercise and physical activity
Achieving more than 150-mins per week of aerobic exercise per physical activity can help reduce your risk of developing high-cholesterol and heart disease.
Medications
If needed medications may be required to help lower your cholesterol levels in conjunction with diet and exercise. Medications for lowering cholesterol are safe and highly effective, with new ways to treat your cholesterol either via oral statins or fortnightly or six-monthly injections.
Cardiovascular Disease can happen to anyone. A simple Medicare GP bulk-billed Heart Health Check is available to all those above the age of 40 years. Arrange to see your GP as soon as possible and don’t delay any further. A Heart Health Check could save your life. If you already have heart disease, then go back to your cardiologist to make sure you take control of your heart health.
For more information about Cholesterol or CVD in general visit Heart Support Australia:
heartsupport.org.au
