Untreated high cholesterol poses a serious threat to the health of many people.
Experts have strongly warned against the dangers of this chronic illness, which can lead to heart attacks and strokes.
Themba Muhlarhi, pharmacist at Medipost Pharmacy, has further stressed the importance of adhering to treatment as a prevention measure.
“High cholesterol can be a ticking time bomb if it is not detected and treated with the right medicine and necessary lifestyle changes,” said Muhlarhi.
“Many people do not realise they are at risk of high cholesterol because it usually has no symptoms until it has progressed to become more serious, and it is therefore important to have your cholesterol tested regularly.”
What is cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a greasy, waxy substance our cells need for healthy functioning.
Our livers produce some cholesterol, but when we eat trans fats and saturated fats from animal sources – including eggs, meat and cheese – some people develop hyperlipidaemia, also known as high cholesterol.
“Some people may have a condition called familial hypercholesterolaemia, a genetic condition reducing the body’s ability to remove low-density lipoprotein (LDL), which is sometimes referred to as ‘bad’ cholesterol, even if the person is extremely careful with their diet.
“Children too can have high cholesterol and should be tested, particularly if there is a family risk. If one of your parents has the condition, your chance of inheriting it is 50/50.”
“As we get older, it is advisable for everyone to get tested more regularly – up to once a year, from the age of 45 for men, and from 55 for women,” said Muhlarhi.
Risk factors
Family history, being overweight, smoking and the risk of struggling with cholesterol that usually becomes more likely as we age, need to be considered.
Muhlarhi has encouraged people to follow a healthy lifestyle and diet.
“Excess LDL cholesterol in our blood can become stuck together with calcium, minerals and other substances to form a plaque that lines the arteries. As well as narrowing the arteries, pieces of this plaque can break off and a blood clot could form in an attempt to heal the artery wall.
“If the blood clot becomes so large that it restricts the blood flow or breaks off and lodges elsewhere in the body, it can be very serious and potentially fatal. This is what causes heart attacks and strokes, as well as chest pains known as angina.”
