Keep Your Cholesterol In Check: Here's What Doctors Wish You Knew About High LDL Cholesterol
Heart disease remains one of the leading causes of death in the country, accounting for nearly 7.8% of total mortalities
Across the country, episodes of heart-related conditions like heart attacks are becoming increasingly common. But doctors are raising an alarm: high LDL cholesterol (also known as 'bad cholesterol") is showing up more frequently in India's younger population and it's a silent threat.
Heart disease remains one of the leading causes of death in the country, accounting for nearly 7.8% of total mortalities. Behind many of these cases lies high LDL cholesterol, which plays a critical role in blocking arteries and triggering conditions like atherosclerosis and strokes.
Dr. Sarita Rao, Senior Interventional Cardiologist and Director of Cathlab, Apollo Hospital, Indore, says, 'The role of LDL cholesterol (LDLC) in the development of atherosclerosis is well documented, where LDLC tends to accumulate and form plaque, creating blockages in the arteries and restricting blood flow. What makes it even more concerning is that high LDLC, like most heart conditions, doesn't show any symptoms. By the time there is chest pain or any warning sign, a cardiac event could already be underway and it may be too late. So, bringing high LDL cholesterol down to target levels is the primary objective for preventing serious heart conditions."
Why Indians Need to Be Extra Cautious
When compared to Western populations, Indians have been found to have higher levels of LDL cholesterol and lower levels of HDL cholesterol (the 'good" cholesterol that helps remove LDL from the bloodstream).
This is why doctors recommend that cholesterol screening begin as early as 18 years of age. Early testing helps in detecting silent threats and allows one to take action before things escalate. People who may appear fit can still have high LDL cholesterol.
'I'm in my 30s, I work out regularly and eat clean," shares Delhi-based Ajay. 'I was confused and surprised when a routine test showed that I had high LDLC. My cardiologist explained that elevated LDL cholesterol could have various reasons and encouraged me to continue medical therapy alongside my healthy routine."
It's Not Just About Eating Right
We know that lifestyle modifications like a healthy diet, regular exercise, and stress management are essential but they're not always enough. Doctors emphasize that medical therapy should not be delayed or skipped, especially if your LDLC numbers are beyond the target range.
Each patient's treatment journey is unique. Factors such as age, family history, diabetes status, or previous cardiac events all influence an individual's LDLC targets. This is why personalized treatment plans are crucial. It's important to seek professional medical advice and actively participate in treatment.
However, in India, it's observed that only about 60% of patients adhere to their prescribed medication, a worrying trend. Misconceptions often lead people to stop their medication, which causes a rebound in LDL levels and heightens cardiovascular risk.
Moreover, stress, poor sleep, and metabolic imbalances can also elevate LDLC levels. These factors contribute to chronic inflammation, prompting the body to produce more LDL cholesterol, thereby increasing the risk of a heart attack or stroke.
When Lifestyle Isn't Enough – Advanced Therapy Is Key
For patients who don't respond well to conventional statins, advanced therapies are increasingly being prescribed. Targeted treatments like PCSK9 inhibitors, siRNA therapy, or inclisiran show great promise in helping patients reach their target LDLC levels when standard options fall short.
Always remember: high LDL cholesterol may not show symptoms but its consequences can be fatal. Whether you're a gym regular or someone who's never thought twice about your cholesterol, it's time to get screened, stay informed, and stick to your treatment plan for a healthier heart.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
5 hours ago
- Time of India
Aster DM Healthcare sets sights on smaller cities to expand play, grab top spot
Mumbai: Aster DM Healthcare has set an ambitious goal of becoming the country's largest healthcare chain, surpassing Apollo Hospitals , through an over 30% increase in bed capacity and forays into new markets, said a senior executive at the Bengaluru-based company. Aster emerged as the second-largest healthcare chain following a recent merger with US private equity giant Blackstone-backed Quality Care India. The combined entity reported more than ₹9,000 crore in revenue in FY25, trailing Apollo Hospitals' ₹22,027 crore, showed data from ET Intelligence Group. Fortis Healthcare ranked third with ₹7,861 crore revenue. It marked a sharp rise for Aster DM which ranked fifth in FY24 with ₹3,730 crore in revenue. "When Stephen Schwarzman (global CEO of Blackstone) was here recently celebrating 20 years of Blackstone in India, the only thing he told us is we have to make this the number one healthcare organisation in India," Alisha Moopen, deputy managing director at Aster DM told ET. She did not say when the company aims to attain the number one position. In terms of bed capacity, Aster may be leading by a whisker with a total of 10,300 beds after the merger, compared with Apollo Hospitals which has 10,187 beds. The combined entity Aster DM Quality Care India surpassed Fortis Healthcare which has a total capacity of about 4,750 beds. In the next few years, Aster is looking to add 3,300 beds, taking the total to 13,600 beds. Apollo Hospitals , on the other hand, plans to invest ₹6,000 crore to add 4,300 beds. Aster recorded adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (Ebitda) of ₹1,661 crore and 20.5% Ebitda margin in the last fiscal year. The multispecialty hospital chain is considering organic and inorganic routes for expansion in next 4-5 years, Moopen said. It operates 40 hospitals, employing 50,000 healthcare professionals, across 27 cities in India. While Aster will continue to bolster its presence in strongholds in Kerala and Karnataka, the company aims to expand operations in central India with a focus on non-metros such as Indore, Raipur, Aurangabad, and Bhubaneshwar. Aster specialises in areas like cardiology, oncology, transplant program, paediatrics, and neurosciences. Blackstone will be the largest shareholder in the new company with a 30.7% stake. Aster promoters will get about 24% while TPG-an early investor in Quality Care India-will hold 10.22%. The rest will be held by the public and other shareholders. Explaining that the full benefits of the merger will be felt in 18-24 months, Moopen said one of the key areas of synergy will be procurement and supply chain optimisation. According to her, the purchasing power of the combined entity will enable better supply terms, cost efficiencies, and streamlined inventory management, helping reduce material costs and boosting margins. "About 10-15% benefit on things like material cost should be applicable, thus enabling margin we are operating at a 20.5% margin as a consolidated group entity, we should be moving to a 23-24%," said Moopen. In terms of capacity utilisation, at a blended level, Aster DM's bed occupancy is at 58-60%. "There's room to improve occupancy in some of the assets and then there's a pipeline of beds that's coming," she said.
NDTV
5 hours ago
- NDTV
Doctor Suspended For Refusing Anti-Rabies Shot To Wife Of Padma Shri Awardee In Madhya Pradesh
Dhar: A doctor at a community health centre in Dhar district has been suspended for allegedly refusing to administer an anti-rabies injection to the wife of Subroto Das, a Padma Shri awardee, over the weekend, an official said on Monday. The incident occurred in the tourist town of Mandu, around 38 km off the Dhar district headquarters on Saturday, where Vadodara-based Dr Das and his wife Sushmita Das (60) were on a visit, when she was bitten on her leg by a stray dog. When the couple approached a local health facility for an anti-rabies shot, the attending doctors allegedly declined to administer it, citing unavailability, and redirected them to a far-off health centre. Sushmita Das was eventually administered the injection at the Mandu health centre, her husband told PTI. She is fine, Dr Das told PTI on Monday afternoon when contacted over the phone. "The worst thing I didn't like is that she (the doctor) didn't even check my wife. A doctor has to do that," he said. Taking serious note of the incident, Dhar district collector Priyank Mishra ordered an inquiry by a team from Indore. Based on the preliminary findings, Dr Chandni Dabrolia was found prima facie guilty and suspended by the health department. "Any government institution, be it a hospital, college, school, service centre or office, must treat every service-seeking citizen respectfully and deliver the required service within the stipulated time," Mishra told reporters here. He said the doctor's behaviour was inappropriate and her actions unacceptable, which warranted the suspension based on the initial probe.
Time of India
5 hours ago
- Time of India
Does milk cause bloating? Top US doc rates best and worst variants
Dr. Saurabh Sethi, a gastroenterologist, has ranked milk types based on their bloating potential, with sweetened cow's milk scoring the highest. Unsweetened cow's milk and goat milk also ranked high, while plant-based options like rice and soy milk scored moderately. Cashew milk is ranked as the best option, causing the least bloating. That uncomfortable and gassy feeling after a morning latte or bowl of cereal is more common than you think. Do you know the culprit behind bloating? No, it's not the cereal or oats. Any guess? It is a common ingredient in our morning breakfast. The culprit in question is milk. Yes, that's right. Dr. Saurabh Sethi, a California-based gastroenterologist trained at Harvard and Stanford, has now ranked some of the popular milk types based on their likelihood to cause bloating and gut distress. Using a scale of 1 to 10, where 10 indicates the highest bloating potential, he has ranked the dairy products. Take a look. 'Do you often feel bloated after your morning chai, coffee, or cereal? It might not be the food, it could be the milk,' Dr. Sethi said in a video shared on Instagram. The worst milk linked with bloating The gastroenterologist has ranked one of the popular milk choices as the worst. Yes, that's right. Dr. Sethi has ranked sweetened cow's milk as 10, which means it causes the most distress to the stomach. Packed with added sugars, sweetened cow's milk can exacerbate bloating. The bloating could get even worse for those with lactose intolerance. Consider the high lactose content teamed up with sweeteners as a perfect storm for gut distress. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Dairy products that cause bloating Just behind sweetened cow's milk is its unsweetened version, which Dr. Sethi has ranked 9. Most of the adults worldwide have some degree of lactose intolerance. When you drink sweetened or unsweetened cow's milk, it can trigger bloating, gas, and discomfort. Goat milk, often considered a lighter alternative for milk, however, has scored 8, due to its lactose content. Though it is easier for some to digest this milk, it still could lead to bloating in lactose-sensitive individuals. Rice milk, which is a plant-based option, scored 7. Dr. Sethi has placed soya milk in the sixth position. The doctor has ranked 5 for the oat milk. Comparatively better milks For some people, consuming milk is non-negotiable. So what does that mean? Do you avoid milk altogether? Well, no. But if you have bloating, you may want to look for varieties that are easy to digest and do not cause havoc on your digestive health. Lactose-free cow's milk is a decent option. The gut doctor has ranked it four. If you are someone who enjoys dairy's taste, but don't want to feel bloated, go for a lactose-free option. The lactose in this type of milk is broken down during processing, and hence you won't feel bloated. Coconut milk is an even better option. It is rich and flavourful and has low lactose. But ensure to buy the unsweetened varieties. Though it's a safe option for most, its high-fat content may affect people with sensitive stomachs. The best options Dr. Sethi has ranked unsweetened almond milk 2. It won't make you bloat, thanks to its low lactose and simple ingredient profile. 'Pretty Little Baby' Singer Connie Francis Hospitalised, Family Gives Health Update Now the winner! If you want a milk option that won't make you bloat at all, go for cashew milk. The gastroenterologist has ranked the milk 1. It is gentle on the digestive system and is incredibly rich and nutritious.
