Think you’re heart-healthy? Your cholesterol may tell another story

Regular health checks can help uncover hidden cardiovascular risks such as high cholesterol, even in people who otherwise feel well and lead healthy lifestyles. (Envato Elements pic)

PETALING JAYA: Regular exercise, a balanced diet and maintaining a healthy weight are among the best things you can do for your heart. But they do not always tell the whole story.

For some people, especially those already at high cardiovascular risk, lifestyle changes alone may not be enough to bring low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, or LDL-C, down to safer levels.

Often called “bad cholesterol”, LDL-C can contribute to the build-up of fatty deposits in artery walls, increasing the risk of heart attack and stroke over time.

Part of the reason lies in how cholesterol is produced. While diet contributes to cholesterol levels, most of the cholesterol circulating in the body is produced internally, primarily by the liver.