Cholesterol Management

It is important to check your cholesterol levels regularly especially if you have any risk factors. If your total cholesterol level is between 5.2 and 6.1mmol/L, you are at a higher risk for coronary artery disease. If your total cholesterol level registers at 6.2 mmol/L and above, you have hypercholesterolaemia, which is attributable to genetic factors, diabetes mellitus, obesity, and poor eating habits.

The desirable level of LDL cholesterol depends on your pre-existing risk for coronary heart disease. If you already have coronary artery disease, peripheral vascular disease, or diabetes, you are in the high-risk group and there is a stringent limit on the acceptable level of LDL cholesterol. Conversely, if you have none or only one of the risk factors, a higher value of LDL cholesterol is acceptable before medical intervention.

HDL cholesterol protects against heart disease, hence a higher HDL cholesterol level is considered better. A HDL cholesterol level that is less than 1.0 mmol/L is considered to be low and the patient is thus at risk of developing heart disease. High levels of triglyceride also put you at a greater risk of cardiovascular disease. Elevated triglyceride levels are more common in people who are obese or in those with poorly controlled diabetes. As you get older and more overweight, your triglyceride and cholesterol levels tend to increase.

HDL=high-density lipoprotein; LDL=low-density lipoprotein 

Source: MOH Clinical Practice Guidelines 2/2006