🩸 High Cholesterol & Heart Health

High cholesterol itself isn’t a disease, but it significantly increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, and artery blockages.”

🔹 ⚠️ Risks of High Cholesterol
📍 Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) 💔 – Narrowed arteries due to atherosclerosis.
📍 Stroke & Mini-Stroke (TIA) 🧠 – Increased risk due to artery blockages.
📍 Heart Attack Risk 🚨 – High cholesterol levels can lead to plaque buildup, restricting blood flow.

🔹 🩹 Types of Cholesterol & Their Impact
✅ LDL (Bad Cholesterol) – Carries cholesterol to cells but can cause artery blockages if excessive.
✅ HDL (Good Cholesterol) – Removes excess cholesterol, carrying it back to the liver for excretion.
✅ Triglycerides – Fats from food that are stored for energy. High levels are linked to obesity, alcohol intake & poor diet.

🔹 📊 Cholesterol Levels & UK Statistics
✔️ Optimal total cholesterol target: 4.0 mmol/L
✔️ LDL cholesterol target: 2.0 mmol/L or 30% reduction
✔️ Government recommendation: Cholesterol <5.0 mmol/L
🚨 2 out of 3 UK adults have cholesterol ≥5.0 mmol/L, among the highest in the world.

🔹 🧪 Who Should Get Tested?
📍 Anyone over 40
📍 Family history of early heart disease
📍 History of stroke, CHD, or leg artery disease
📍 High blood pressure, diabetes, or obesity
📍 Existing conditions like kidney disease, underactive thyroid, or pancreatitis

🔹 🥗 Treating & Preventing High Cholesterol
Lifestyle Changes:
✔️ Low-fat, heart-healthy diet 🥗 (whole grains, lean protein, unsaturated fats, fruits & veggies)
✔️ Regular exercise 🏃‍♂️ – Helps regulate cholesterol & weight.
✔️ Reduce saturated fats 🧈 – Found in processed meats, butter, cream, and baked goods.
✔️ Increase healthy fats 🫒 – Olive oil, nuts, and omega-3-rich fish.
✔️ Niacin (Vitamin B3) 🌿 – Can help lower cholesterol naturally.

Medication Options:
💊 If lifestyle changes don’t lower cholesterol, doctors may prescribe statins or other lipid-lowering drugs.

📌 “Studies show that lowering cholesterol can stop and even reverse artery blockages, reducing the risk of heart disease.”

🔹 📞 Need More Information?
🌐 NHS Cholesterol Guide: www.nhs.uk/conditions/Cholesterol
🌐 Healthy Eating & Weight Loss: www.nhs.uk/LiveWell

Dr. Chabok provides expert cholesterol management to protect heart health & prevent cardiovascular disease. ❤️