It’s Cholesterol Awareness Week, and leading heart charities across Australia are uniting to raise awareness of high cholesterol and atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (ASCVD), while educating Australians about the different types of cholesterol. High cholesterol is a condition that affects approximately 2.1 million Australians.
Often known as the ‘silent disease’, many people don’t experience any symptoms. High cholesterol is a critical risk factor for ASCVD, an umbrella term for diseases caused by fatty deposits silently building up in the arteries.
In 2023 alone, Australians lost an estimated 666,000 years of healthy life due to cardiovascular disease (CVD), accounting for almost 12 per cent of the total burden of disease. This was ranked fourth behind cancer, mental health and substance use disorders, and musculoskeletal conditions.
Know your ABC
This Cholesterol Awareness Week, everyone is encouraged to learn the ABCs of ASCVD – a message designed to drive awareness and action around heart health for all ages.
- Alert – raising awareness of the silent risks associated with elevated cholesterol and ASCVD
- Behaviour – manage cholesterol levels by adopting healthy lifestyle habits that help prevent build-up.
- Check – know your numbers, visit a cholesterol checkpoint for a free screening, or consult a GP.
Tanya Hall, CEO and Founder of Hearts4heart, said ‘There is a significant gap in understanding the different types of cholesterol and their impact on heart health. Even among those who have experienced a cardiovascular event, many are unaware of their cholesterol levels.
‘Recent research shows that individuals who are informed are more likely to take proactive steps towards treatment and ongoing management. Knowing your numbers is vital for managing cholesterol effectively.
‘By understanding the ABCs of ASCVD, we aim to empower all Australians to take proactive steps in protecting their heart health from an early age. Heart attacks and strokes are preventable when you’re aware of your risk factors,’ she said.
Heart charities weigh in
Andy Paschalidis, founder of Heartbeat of Football, said ‘Through experience of losing three friends of my own to heart conditions, we want to make it easy for Australians to know their heart health.’
Dr Nick Lan, Cardiologist in the Cardiometabolic service of Fiona Stanley Hospital, said ‘Many people assume that managing cholesterol alone is enough. But elevated triglyceride levels tell another part of the story.
‘High triglycerides are an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease and contribute to the residual risk that remains even after LDL cholesterol is treated. Awareness of this is key to truly reducing heart disease,’ he said.
Management crucial
Effective management of high cholesterol and ASCVD often requires changes to lifestyle behaviours, including diet and physical activity.
Regular consultations and open communication between patients and healthcare practitioners are essential for effective management.
Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) and elevated Lp(a) are genetic disorders that can lead to raised cholesterol levels. Knowing your family history and obtaining an early diagnosis are crucial for timely treatment and effective management.
High triglycerides are an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease and contribute to the residual risk.
‘Inherited high cholesterol, such as FH, and elevated Lp(a) often go undiagnosed, yet it can affect anyone. The hospital educational stalls give people the chance to speak with healthcare professionals to understand inherited cholesterol and their FH risk early,’ said Jenny Della-Vedova, founder of FH Australia.
