Silent Killer
Part II*: Hyperlipidaemia (high cholesterol)
Cholesterol is a waxy substance that makes up one of your blood fats (lipids). While your body needs cholesterol to continue building healthy cells, having high cholesterol can increase your risk of heart disease.
When you have high cholesterol, you may develop fatty deposits in your blood vessels. Eventually, these deposits make it difficult for enough blood to flow through your arteries. Your heart may not get as much oxygen-rich blood as it needs, which increases the risk of a heart attack. Similarly, decreased blood flow to your brain can cause a stroke.
Causes
There are different reasons for high blood fats. It could be that you eat unhealthily, for example, too many saturated fats (meat and dairy products are often high in saturated fat such as beef, lamb, pork, poultry with skin, cream, butter and cheese) and trans fats (such as doughnuts, cookies, crackers, muffins, pies and cakes). On top of that, you might be a smoker or rather spend the evening on the couch, instead of going for a walk or going to gym. Another cause could be your genes – some forms of hyperlipidaemia can be inherited. Or, as you get older, your cholesterol levels could creep up although you could also have high cholesterol at a young age.
Treatment
Your doctor will determine your treatment based on the cause and severity of your hyperlipidaemia. Some patients might require medication while some might not if they can improve their blood lipid levels through lifestyle changes. You will, however, benefit from increasing your exercise levels, losing weight, eating a healthy diet and by stopping smoking immediately.
Testing your blood levels is important as you can’t ‘feel’ or ‘see’ high cholesterol
You will only physically ‘feel’ hyperlipidaemia when damage to your cardiovascular system is already done. Don’t wait until you feel the damage – go for regular health checks. Start with a simple finger prick test, included in the annual health check available to all members. If your pharmacist or doctor considers it necessary, they will ask you to do a more detailed blood test at the lab.
Register your chronic condition
If your doctor found that, for example, your cholesterol is too high and you need medication for more than three months, it is considered ‘chronic’. Your doctor or pharmacist can call us to register and to confirm funding. If you need cholesterol-lowering medication, it could be a PMB. Registration of your condition ensures that certain medication, testing and treatment will be paid by the Scheme and not from your day-to-day benefits.
* Last month (Part I) we wrote about Hypertension. MediBrief articles are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare provider.