HIGH
CHOLESTEROL WHAT IS CHOLESTEROL? Cholesterol is a waxy like substance. It is produced by the liver and also present in the food we eat. Cholesterol is needed for our body to function. However, too much of it is bad for health.
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT NUMBERS IN MY CHOLESTEROL TEST RESULT?
LDL
TG
HDL
Low-density lipoprotein
High-density lipoprotein
Triglycerides
Bad cholesterol Mainly produced by the liver Also comes from food
Good cholesterol Mainly produced by the liver
Fat produced when we overeat Mainly from food
WHY IS A LOW LEVEL OF CHOLESTEROL IMPORTANT? Cholesterol can stick to the inside of our blood vessels. This waxy substance builds up over time. Layer by layer it narrows our blood vessels. This affects blood flow to the heart and brain. Thus the risk of heart attack and stroke increases.
ISN’T DIET CONTROL GOOD ENOUGH? Healthy eating can lower the cholesterol we get from food. However, most of the cholesterol in our body is produced by our own liver. We need medication to lower these cholesterol levels.
I HEAR THAT CHOLESTEROL MEDICINES HARM YOUR LIVER. IS THAT TRUE? It is rare for cholesterol medications to cause serious harm to the liver. Most of the time, this is reversible. Look out for symptoms of liver harm (e.g. yellowing of the skin/eyes) and see your doctor if they occur.
HELP! I KEEP FORGETTING TO TAKE MY CHOLESTEROL MEDICATION AT NIGHT. There are cholesterol medications that do not have to be taken at night. Discuss with your pharmacist or doctor about your medication and ask if they can be taken in the morning instead.
Information provided in this poster is meant for the general public’s knowledge. If you would like to find out more about cholesterol and how it affects you, please speak with your doctor or healthcare provider.