Have your cholesterol tested - before it's too late

Dangerously high cholesterol levels often give no warning symptoms

Cholesterol, a waxy fatty substance ingested in food or produced in the body, can build up in a person's arteries causing a range of serious health problems including heart disease, which is a leading cause of death in South Africa.

Often the individual does not experience any warning symptoms, so it is very important to have one's cholesterol levels checked regularly. In many cases, cardiovascular conditions can be either avoided through the adoption of a healthier lifestyle or effectively managed - particularly if they are identified early.

There are two kinds of cholesterol: LDL (low-density lipoproteins) and HDL  (high-density lipoproteins). LDL is the dangerous kind, and this is easy to remember as ‘L' is for ‘lethal'. 

When there is an excessive amount of this type of cholesterol in a person's blood, it can build up on the walls of the arteries, narrowing them so that the heart has to work harder in order to pump oxygenated blood through the body.

Sometimes, the arteries can become blocked with cholesterol and diseased, a condition known as coronary heart disease. It is one of the most common forms of cardiovascular disease, and can cause a heart attack, also known as cardiac arrest, which occurs when the heart is starved of the blood and oxygen it needs. Every year, around 50 000 South Africans die as a result of the massive damage that a heart attack can cause.

High levels of unhealthy cholesterol can also increase a person's risk of stroke. Stroke occurs when the brain is deprived of blood and oxygen, usually due to a blocked artery, causing brain cells to die. This may lead to irreparable brain damage or even death.

Fortunately, there are preventative screening tests available to check one's cholesterol levels and blood pressure, which are two factors that can contribute to the development of cardiovascular conditions including heart attack, stroke and other health problems. These tests can be performed by your family practitioner, or at a pathology laboratory, clinic or pharmacy.

People older than 20 should undergo cholesterol screenings at least once every five years to establish the cholesterol levels in their arteries. Those older than 30 as well as people whose families have a history of high cholesterol should have annual cholesterol tests. Some people's bodies have an inherited tendency to make too much cholesterol, and this can be a very serious health concern.

Smoking cigarettes, eating a diet that contains too much saturated fats and lack of exercise can all contribute to high levels of the unhealthy type of cholesterol and the development of cardiovascular disease. Quitting smoking, following a healthy diet and exercising can go a long way towards reducing cholesterol levels.

The most important dietary changes to help safeguard your health in terms of raised cholesterol, is to avoid saturated fats, usually contained in animal products such as meat and cheese. Eating plenty of whole grains and fresh vegetables and margarine that has been approved by the Heart and Stroke Foundation of South Africa instead of butter, can significantly help to reduce LDL cholesterol levels.

It is important to remember that prevention is always better than cure. GEMS values its members and wants to help them to lead healthy lives. This is why GEMS encourages members to have their preventative health checks to identify potential health concerns, such as high cholesterol levels, so that these can be addressed as soon as possible.