Protect Your Heart Now (What is Cholesterol?)

by | Sep 1, 2022 | Health Topics

 

PROTECT YOUR HEART NOW

Heart Disease is Malaysia’s No.1 Killer1

 

1 in 4 People were unaware they have raised total cholesterol2 .You can have high cholesterol and not realize it.

 

What is CHOLESTEROL?

A type of fat that circulates in your blood. Too much cholesterol can clog your arteries and increase your risk of heart attack or stroke3

 

 

80% of people who died from COVID-19 had at least one underlying health condition4

  • High Blood Pressure : 64.9%
  • Heart Disease: 23.4%
  • High Cholesterol: 19.0%

Here are some ways you can keep your Cholesterol in check5  

  • Reduce your intake of fatty and oily foods
  • Eat more greens and foods
  • Exercise regularly
  • Take medication if needed, usually statin to start

 

How can statins help you in cholesterol management6

THE MAIN GOAL OF CHOLESTEROL TREATMENT

is to lower LDL levels. When diet and exercise are not enough to reduce cholesterol to goal levels, doctors often prescribe medication – the most common being statins. By blocking the production of cholesterol, statin medications can slow the formation of plaques in the arteries.

Bad cholesterol (LDL) sticks to the arteries and forms plaques

Cholesterol plaques build up slowly, eventually resulting in blocked arteries and reducing the flow of oxygen-rich blood to your heart. This can lead to heart disease.

Statins help block production of LDL in the liver

 

The body needs cholesterol to function but sometimes, due to genetics, food intake and activity, the body produces too much cholesterol. Statins block an enzyme that’s key to cholesterol production in the liver. The treatment goal is to reduce cholesterol in the bloodstream and to reduce risk of high-cholesterol-related diseases.

References:

  1. Department of Statistics Malaysia. 2020. Statistics on Causes of Death, Malaysia.
  2. National Health and Morbidity Survey 2019
  3. CardioSmart – American College of Cardiology 2018. High Cholesterol
  4. Institute for Clinical Research (National Institute of Health). 2020. COVID-19 Mortality Statistics.
  5. Mayo Clinic. 2020. Top 5 Lifestyle Changes To Improve Your Cholesterol.
  6. S. Food and Drug Administration. 2015. Cholesterol And Statins Infographic.

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