Cholesterol and Heart Disease — What Every Adult Should Know

❤️ Introduction

Cholesterol is often misunderstood, many people don’t know that it can lead to heart disease..
In reality, cholesterol is essential for building cells. It also plays a role in producing hormones. However, too much of the wrong type increases the risk of heart disease and stroke.

At Helal Medical Manila, we help patients understand their cholesterol levels regularly. A patient with a headache wanted strong meds, but I checked his blood pressure (BP) and cholesterol anyway. He was surprised—he looked healthy! But his BP was high, and so were his lipids. The headache was a red flag! We started a management plan to treat the root cause, not just the pain.

🩺 What Is Cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a fatty substance (lipid) found in your blood.
It comes from two sources:

• Your liver, which produces most of the cholesterol your body needs.
• Food, especially meat, eggs, and dairy products.

Because cholesterol can’t dissolve in blood, it travels through the bloodstream attached to proteins called lipoproteins.

🔍 Types of Cholesterol

There are two main types you should know:

1. LDL (Low-Density Lipoprotein) – “Bad” Cholesterol
   • Builds up inside arteries, forming plaques that narrow or block blood flow.
   • High LDL levels increase the risk of heart attack and stroke.
2. HDL (High-Density Lipoprotein) – “Good” Cholesterol
   • Carries excess cholesterol back to the liver for removal.
   • Higher HDL helps protect against heart disease.

Other important measures include triglycerides, another fat in the blood that can also raise risk when elevated.

⚠️ How High Cholesterol Leads to Heart Disease

When LDL cholesterol builds up inside arteries, it causes atherosclerosis — a gradual hardening and narrowing of the blood vessels.
This reduces blood flow to the heart and brain.

Over time, it can lead to:

• Heart attack (when blood flow to heart muscles is blocked)
• Stroke (when blood flow to the brain is interrupted)
• Peripheral artery disease (poor circulation in the legs)

High cholesterol has no symptoms, which is why regular screening is crucial.

🧪 Cholesterol Testing at Helal Medical Manila

At Helal Medical, we recommend a lipid profile test every 1–2 years for adults, or more often if you have risk factors as:

• High blood pressure
• Diabetes
• Family history of heart disease
• Over-weight
• Smoking

A fasting lipid profile measures:

• Total cholesterol
• LDL (bad) cholesterol
• HDL (good) cholesterol
• Triglycerides

Your doctor will interpret the results and guide you on necessary lifestyle or medication adjustments.

🥗 How to Lower Bad Cholesterol Naturally

1. Eat more fiber-rich foods.
   • Oats, beans, fruits, and vegetables help remove cholesterol from your system.
2. Choose healthy fats.
   • Replace butter and fried foods with olive oil, nuts, and fish (rich in omega-3).
3. Exercise regularly.
   • 30 minutes of walking, cycling, or swimming improves HDL and lowers LDL.
4. Quit smoking.
   • Smoking lowers HDL and accelerates artery damage.
5. keep a healthy weight.
   • Losing even 5–10% of body weight can significantly improve cholesterol levels.
6. Limit alcohol.
   • Excess drinking increases triglycerides and blood pressure.

💊 When Medication Is Needed

Lifestyle changes are the first step, but sometimes medications like statins are needed to control LDL levels effectively. the treatment plan depends on your age, test results, and overall risk factors.

At Helal Medical, we tailor cholesterol management plans for each patient, combining medical, dietary, and lifestyle support.

💡 When to See Your Doctor

You should visit your doctor if you have:

• A family history of high cholesterol or heart disease
• Over-weight
• Diabetes or high blood pressure
• A sedentary lifestyle

Even if you feel healthy, a simple blood test can reveal silent cholesterol problems before they become dangerous.

🩵 Summary

Cholesterol is both friend and foe. Your body needs it, but too much LDL can block arteries and lead to heart disease. Regular testing, balanced eating, and healthy living are your best defenses.

At Helal Medical Manila, we offer lipid profile testing. We also conduct heart evaluations. Additionally, we guide patients to keep your heart healthy for life. Taking charge of your cholesterol today means a stronger, longer tomorrow.

🔗 Helpful External Links:

• American Heart Association – Cholesterol Basics
• CDC – High Cholesterol Facts
• NHS – How to Lower Cholesterol