Many people commonly believe that only overweight, middle aged individuals who do not exercise and consume fried foods are at risk of heart attacks.
However, renowned cardiologist Dr Oliver Gutmann says this perception can be dangerously misleading. According to him, a major and serious cause of heart disease is high cholesterol, and it can also affect individuals who appear slim, fit, and healthy.
He stated that although unhealthy habits such as consuming high fat diets, excessive alcohol intake, and lack of exercise increase the risk of heart attacks, physical appearance alone cannot provide a complete assessment.
Cholesterol levels are not determined by weight alone. Genetics, diet, age, and physical activity all influence cholesterol levels. The problem is that high cholesterol often shows no symptoms until it is too late. It is frequently referred to as a silent killer because it increases the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular diseases.
It is worth noting that high cholesterol is one of the leading causes of death and disability in the United Kingdom, where approximately 170,000 people die from it each year.
In this regard, Dr Gutmann explained that it is essential to first understand what cholesterol is. It is a fat like substance known as a lipid and is found in every cell of the body. Not all cholesterol is harmful.
HDL cholesterol, known as good cholesterol, carries excess cholesterol in the blood to the liver, where it is broken down. In contrast, harmful LDL cholesterol works differently. It accumulates in the walls of arteries, forming fatty deposits that narrow blood vessels and increase the risk of heart attacks or strokes. If HDL levels are low, harmful cholesterol can accumulate more easily.
According to Dr Gutmann, total cholesterol alone does not provide the full picture. Two individuals may have the same total cholesterol level, yet their risk of heart disease can differ. This depends on the balance between good and bad cholesterol, as well as other factors such as blood pressure, age, smoking, diabetes, and family history. Therefore, focusing on a single number is not sufficient.
He added that many people believe if they are slim and active, they do not need to worry about cholesterol, but this thinking can be incorrect and dangerous. Being slim does not guarantee healthy cholesterol levels, as multiple factors beyond weight play a role.
