Cholesterol

Investigators say they have found no evidence to back the belief that higher levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol routinely reduce the risk of a heart attack.

Overview

About one in every 75 Westernised South Africans has elevated blood cholesterol levels, an important risk factor for heart disease and stroke. High cholesterol may be the result of your genes, dietary and lifestyle factors or another disease (such as kidney disease). Called the "silent killer", high cholesterol itself causes no symptoms and could easily go undetected until serious damage occurs. For this reason, screening and regular follow-up testing is recommended, especially for people with known associated risk factors.