High levels of “bad” cholesterol are the most important risk factor for stroke and heart attack, but only in rare cases does it manifest itself externally, for example, as yellow formations on the skin of the eyelids. Therefore, everyone over the age of 40 should have a blood test for their lipid profile. Cardiologist Vadim Zakiev, teacher of the Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacology at the Faculty of Medicine of the Russian State University of Social Sciences, told socialbites.ca.
“The increase is usually not accompanied by any symptoms. To determine this, laboratory diagnostics are important: all people over the age of 40 are recommended to have a blood test to evaluate lipid metabolism disorders. The so-called “lipid profile” usually includes total cholesterol, LDL, HDL and triglycerides. However “, with a prolonged and significant increase in cholesterol, it can manifest itself in the form of focal formations of various colors – xanthomas. Often these flat yellowish formations are located on the skin of the eyelids. There is also a lipid arc in the cornea; there are lipid deposits around the cornea,” said Zakiev.
The doctor added that such changes often occur in patients with familial hyperlipidemia. This inherited disease causes a significant increase in cholesterol in young patients and can lead to early heart attack or stroke. Zakiev stated that the increase in cholesterol is first detected when the patient develops a cardiovascular disease such as angina (an attack due to chest pain) or a heart attack, so preventive checks are important.
Previously cardiologist appreciated A drug that reduces the level of one of the dangerous forms of cholesterol by 95%.