We’re all guilty of it. We’re stressed and constantly in a rush so we eat the wrong things, don’t make enough time for exercise and alleviate stress with cigarettes and alcohol. It’s because of this that an estimated 34% of South Africans are at risk for disease due to raised cholesterol levels.
But what is cholesterol and why do we need to watch out for it?
We all have cholesterol in our blood, but when it rises above a healthy level, it puts us at increased risk for heart disease, stroke and other dangerous conditions. High cholesterol, also known as “hypercholesterolaemia”, is extremely common, which means you could be affected too.
Here are some tips on how to take control of your own cholesterol:
- Get tested regularly and know your numbers, including your blood pressure and blood-glucose levels. A total cholesterol figure lower than 5 mmol/L is normal or ideal.
- Understand what cholesterol is. Cholesterol travels through the blood attached to lipoproteins that can be divided into two types: Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. The former have more fat than protein and deposit their components onto artery walls, forming clots that can stop the blood supply to your organs. HDL on the other hand helps to clear cholesterol from the body by picking up leftover cholesterol and carrying it back to the liver for disposal.
- Check if you have Familial hypercholesterolaemia (inherited high cholesterol).This is very commonin South Africa - we actually have one of the highest incidences of it in the world. This genetic disorder increases the “bad” LDL cholesterol in the blood and can cause premature heart disease.
The vast majority of people with high cholesterol are unaware of their condition until they suffer a heart attack or stroke. The good news is that high cholesterol can be detected during a routine blood test:
- If you’re over 20 years old you, you should have your cholesterol checked and if the results indicate that you are low risk, you should then retest every five years.
- If you’re a man over the age of 35, you should get tested every year.
- If you’re a woman over the age of 45 (or if you are menopausal), you should also get it checked once a year.
- Anyone else with risk factors for heart disease (e.g. hypertension or diabetes), including children, should also be checked once a year.
Treating high cholesterol
Treatment can include identifying and treating contributory conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, thyroid disorders and kidney disease. Your doctor will prescribe medication and you will need to implement lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking, exercising more, losing weight and following a healthy diet.
From a scheme perspective it’s important to note that high cholesterol as a medical condition is treated as a Prescribed Minimum Benefit condition. It’s therefore covered on all Fedhealth options under the Chronic Disease Benefit even once you’ve depleted your entire available Chronic Benefit Limit.
Now that you know what cholesterol is, it’s time to get tested. Remember, Fedhealth pays for full lipogram cholesterol screening as part of the Screening Benefit for all members – aged 20 years and older – on all comprehensive, saver and hospital plan options.
The information on Fedhealth Medical Aid is for educational purposes only, and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you are experiencing symptoms or need health advice, please consult a healthcare professional.
DISCLAIMER: The information on this website is for educational purposes only, and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you are experiencing symptoms or need health advice, please consult a healthcare professional.
