According to the National Health & Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2019, 1 in 4 people or 8 million people in Malaysia were unaware they have raised total cholesterol due to having no symptoms of high cholesterol. 80% of those with raised total cholesterol were on medications.


What is cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a type of fat that circulates in blood. Too much cholesterol in blood can clog arteries and increase risk of heart attack or stroke.

Types of cholesterol

• HDL (High Density Lipoprotein Fat)
  

  “Good” Cholesterol

  HDL aids in the movement of LDL and carries back to the liver, lowering the risk of coronary heart disease.
  
  Example of Good Fat Food Source:
  Olive Oil, Nuts, Avocado, Deep Sea Fish, Whole Grains

1. LDL (Low Density Lipoprotein Fat)
   
   “Bad” Cholesterol
   
   Too much LDL in blood can lead to plaque accumulation on the walls of arteries, block the flow of blood, causing heart attack or stroke.
   
   Example of Bad Fat Food Source:
   Processed Foods, Butter, Snack, Offal, Fried Foods
   
   
   
2. Triglycerides
   Triglycerides are the most common type of fat in the body and store excess energy from food intake. Higher levels can raise the risk for heart disease.
   
   
3. Total Cholesterol
   The total amount of cholesterol in your blood. It includes all low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and triglecerides.
   
   
   

   What causes high Cholestrol?

    

   
   Inheritance Some people produce more cholesterol than others due to genetic makeup and it inherits in the family.
   
   Poor diet What you eat greatly affects on blood cholesterol levels. Having too much saturated fat will result in unhealthy cholesterol levels. Avoid deep-fried foods, butter, desserts, processed foods, snacks.
   
   Overweight Excess weight tends to increase the risk of high cholesterol.
   
   Lack of Exercise Regular exercise raise HDL, lower LDL and triglycerides, help with weight loss
   
   Age Even young children also have the possibility to have unhealthy cholesterol, but it is much more common find in people age over 40. As increase in age, liver becomes less able to remove LDL cholesterol.
   
   Alcohol Drinking too much alcohol can increase the risk of high cholesterol.
   
    
   Effects of High Cholesterol
   
   High Blood Pressure Cholesterol plaque cause arteries become hard and narrow. As a result, heart has to strain much harder to pump blood through arteries. So, it causes high blood pressure.
   
   Stroke Cholesterol plaque block the blood supply to part of brain, a stroke can occurs.
   
   Heart attack Similar to stroke, cholesterol plaque block the blood supply to heart. If blood supply to part of your heart stops, heart attack occurs.
   
   
   Cholesterol Management
   1) Lose Weight to maintaine a healthy weight
   2) Low-salt diet, eat heathly foods
   3) Exercise regularly
   4) Manage stress
   5) Drink alcohol in moderation
   
   
   Reference
   

   1. National Health and Morbidity Survey 2019. Available at https://iptk.moh.gov.my/images/technical_report/2020/4_Infographic_Booklet_NHMS_2019_-_English.pdf [Accessed on 28 December 2023]
      
   2. Lipid Profile. Available at http://www.myhealth.gov.my/en/lipid-profile-2/ [Accessed on 28 December 2023]