Cholesterol and Your Heart

What is Cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a fatty substance that is used by our body to create cells, hormones, bile acids, Vitamin D and other substances. 

The 2 main types of cholesterol are – High-density lipoprotein (HDL) and Low-density lipoprotein (LDL).

HDL is known as the “good” cholesterol because it helps remove other types of cholesterol from your bloodstream.   Higher levels of HDL are associated with a lower risk of heart disease.

LDL, on the other hand, is known as the “bad” cholesterol as it contributes to the accumulation of fats in the arteries. 

What are sources of Cholesterol?

Do you know that the liver produces 80% of the cholesterol in our body? The other 20% comes from food products that we consume e.g. full fat dairy products, egg yolks, seafood, shellfish, organ meats and animal fats. 

What are common causes of high blood Cholesterol?

Did you know that 4 in 10 adults in Singapore aged 18 to 74 had high blood Cholesterol in 2020?⁵

Common factors associated with unhealthy cholesterol levels include: 

• Modifiable
  1. Diet (particularly diet high in saturated and trans fats),
  2. Obesity
  3. Lack of physical activity
  4. Smoking

• Non-modifiable
  1. Heredity
  2. Age
  3. Family History
  4. Gender

High blood cholesterol can lead to heart disease. Cholesterol plaques narrow the passageway of the arteries and prevent oxygen-rich blood from reaching a section of the heart.

What are possible symptoms of a heart attack?

• Discomfort in the chest, especially over the left
• Shortness of breath
• Cold sweats and/or nausea/vomiting.

Early detection of raised cholesterol levels and heart disease allows timely interventions!

Schedule a health screening with AcuMed today!