After the New Year holidays, the level of “bad” cholesterol (LDL) increases by 20% compared to summer levels, when the risk of heart attack and stroke increases. London Medical Laboratory Chief Scientist Quinton Fivelman told the publication. psychoreg.
“Danish researchers at Copenhagen University Hospital and the University of Copenhagen first discovered this post-Christmas increase in a study of 2,500 people in 2018. The study showed that the risk of high cholesterol increases sixfold after the Christmas holidays. It is also reflected in the results of the London Medical Laboratory’s own cholesterol tests, which recorded significantly higher levels compared to the previous months.”
High levels of “bad” cholesterol are associated with an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. Considering that the health system is busier than usual during the New Year holidays, the fate of these events may be even more sad than at other times.
The increase in LDL levels is due to the abundant consumption of products containing cream and butter. Fivelman recommends avoiding fatty foods and sweets during the holidays and controlling cholesterol levels, if possible, with tests.