Untreated high cholesterol poses a serious threat to the health of many people. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Experts have strongly warned against the dangers of this chronic illness, which can lead to heart attacks and strokes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Themba Muhlarhi, pharmacist at Medipost Pharmacy, has further stressed the importance of adhering to treatment as a prevention measure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHigh cholesterol can be a ticking time bomb if it is not detected and treated with the right medicine and necessary lifestyle changes,\u201d said Muhlarhi. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMany 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.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n Cholesterol is a greasy, waxy substance our cells need for healthy functioning. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Our livers produce some cholesterol, but when we eat trans fats and saturated fats from animal sources \u2013 including eggs, meat and cheese \u2013 some people develop hyperlipidaemia, also known as high cholesterol. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSome people may have a condition called familial hypercholesterolaemia, a genetic condition reducing the body\u2019s ability to remove low-density lipoprotein (LDL), which is sometimes referred to as \u2018bad\u2019 cholesterol, even if the person is extremely careful with their diet. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cChildren 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.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAs we get older, it is advisable for everyone to get tested more regularly \u2013 up to once a year, from the age of 45 for men, and from 55 for women,\u201d said Muhlarhi. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \n Risk factors<\/b>\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n Family history, being overweight, smoking and the risk of struggling with cholesterol that usually becomes more likely as we age, need to be considered. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Muhlarhi has encouraged people to follow a healthy lifestyle and diet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cExcess 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIf 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.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Untreated high cholesterol poses a serious threat to the health of many 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\n What is cholesterol?<\/span>
\n <\/b>\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n