Hypertension, Dyslipidemia, High Cholesterol

Hypertension

Hypertension is a complex condition with many causes including lifestyle factors, such as physical inactivity, a salt-rich diet with high processed and fatty foods, and alcohol and tobacco use. Unfortunately the incidence of hypertension is increasing at an alarming rate from developed countries to emerging economies, such as India, China and African countries. Adequate treatment of high blood pressure lowers this cardiovascular risk towards normal levels. However, the biggest problem for controlling hypertension is compliance with treatment. Despite very effective and cost-effective treatments, target blood pressure levels are not always reached, even in countries where cost of medication is not an issue. 

Cholesterol Levels 

Your cholesterol levels show how much cholesterol is circulating in your blood. Your HDL (“good” cholesterol) is the one number you want to be high (ideally above 60). Your LDL (“bad” cholesterol) should be below 100. Your total should be below 200. Talk with your provider about what your results mean for you and how to manage your cholesterol. 

Your cholesterol levels are important because they help you know your risk for heart disease. Cholesterol is a type of lipid (fat) that helps your body perform many important functions. But too much cholesterol in your blood is harmful. It can enter your artery wall, damage its integrity and lead to atherosclerotic plaque (hardened deposits) forming. 

This process of plaque buildup is called atherosclerosis. It can lead to serious problems like: 

• Coronary artery disease: Blocked blood flow to your heart. 

• Peripheral artery disease: Blocked blood flow to your legs and arms. 

• Carotid artery disease: Blocked blood flow to your brain. 

Cholesterol travels through your blood silently. And it turns into plaque silently. Plaque buildup is like someone tiptoeing on a carpet. You might not see or notice its presence for a long time. You may have no symptoms until you have a heart attack or stroke. At that point, the plaque is like high heels on a hardwood floor. And it’s already caused serious damage to your body. 

You can live for many years with high cholesterol and not even know it. That’s why it’s essential to get your cholesterol numbers checked on a regular basis. If your cholesterol numbers are too high (hyperlipidemia), that’s a red flag for you and your healthcare provider. 

Many people have high cholesterol, which is a major risk factor for heart disease. But you’re not stuck with the cholesterol numbers you have. It’s possible to change them. Catching high cholesterol early gives you a chance to make changes and achieve good cholesterol numbers.  

Dr. Kashif Ali believes that awareness & education about the disease is the major & important part of the treatment of any disease. This is the reason why Dr. Kashif Ali conducts various health education & awareness programs or camps physically as well as virtually for the betterment of the community. Because an appropriate information & health education can only give the 100% benefit to the patients.