PT Health Watch: Why high cholesterol is easy to miss but dangerous to ignore
This article highlights the silent dangers of high cholesterol, noting that it often presents no symptoms until serious cardiovascular events occur. It emphasizes the importance of regular screenings and lifestyle adjustments, such as diet and exercise, to mitigate risks.
Why it matters
Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death globally, making public awareness of asymptomatic risk factors critical for preventative healthcare.
Many people only discover they have high blood pressure or high blood sugar only after falling ill. But another major health risk often goes unnoticed because it rarely causes warning signs until serious complications develop.
High cholesterol is one of the leading risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, including heart attacks and strokes. Because it usually causes no symptoms, many people may be living with dangerously high cholesterol levels without knowing it.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), raised cholesterol is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, particularly heart attacks and stroke.
The organisation says that reducing saturated fats, eliminating industrial trans fats, eating a healthy diet, staying physically active and avoiding tobacco can help lower the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
The WHO also notes that cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of death globally, accounting for an estimated 17.9 million deaths each year.
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