New Delhi: Heart attacks earlier used to be a cause of concern among the older group of people – however, since the Covid pandemic, incidents were reported in younger people, even teenagers. Following this, Cardiological Society of India (CSI) issued a first-ever set of guidelines for Indians for the management of dyslipidemia. It was also flagged that Indians suffer from strokes and heart attacks a decade earlier than people living in the West.
What is dyslipidemia?
Dyslipidemia or high cholesterol refers to a state characterised by abnormal levels of lipids in the blood. According to Cleveland Clinic, excess of bad cholesterol can obstruct the arteries and restrict blood flow in the body. Low density lipoproteins (LDL) are the bad kind of cholesterol as it hardens plaque deposits in the blood vessels and makes it difficult for blood to flow across the body. In some cases, it can result in the formation of a blood clot that may eventually contribute to a risk of heart attack or a stroke.
High cholesterol, if left untreated, can raise the risk of chronic heart diseases such as coronary heart disease and it may also cause a sudden cardiac arrest. This, doctors say, can be treated by following a good workout routine, eating healthy fats and quitting smoking. Medication can also help.
CSI guidelines for cholesterol management
CSI has issued guidelines considering the findings of a 2023 study published in the The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology journal that discovered that dyslipidemia is prevalent among 81.2% Indians. It stated that cholesterol must be less than 100 mg/DL (milligrams of sugar per decilitre) for the general people and low-risk people as well. The guidelines also suggested that one must maintain non-HDL-C (total cholesterol minus good cholesterol) levels lower than 130 milligrams per decilitre.
For high-risk group of people with hypertension and diabetes, the guidelines suggested a goal LDL of 70 milligrams per decilitre and non-HDL-C below 100 mg/DL. High-risk individiduals like those with a history of kidney disease, angina, heart attack or stroke, must aim for cholesterol.
According to the guidelines, very high-risk individuals, such as those who have a history of heart attacks, angina, stroke, or chronic kidney disease, should aim for LDL-C levels below 55 milligrams per decilitre and non-HDL-C levels below 85 milligrams per decilitre. The guidelines have also marked a shift from traditional fasting methods. They also suggested that lipis profiling should be done at the age of 18 ye3ars or younger in people who have a family history of premature heart diseases or high LDL. Doctors strictly advise following a healthy lifestyle for better management of these health problems.
For high-risk group of people with hypertension and diabetes, the guidelines suggested a goal LDL of 70 milligrams per decilitre and non-HDL-C below 100 mg/DL. High-risk individiduals like those with a history of kidney disease, angina, heart attack or stroke, must aim for cholesterol. Health News Health News: Latest News from Health Care, Mental Health, Weight Loss, Disease, Nutrition, Healthcare
