Cholesterol in South Africa

A survey of high cholesterol levels in South Africa (total cholesterol greater than 5 mmol/L) revealed that the majority of our adult Coloured, Indian and White population suffer from high cholesterol.

In these population groups:

7 out of 10 men;
6 out of 10 women over the age of 20 suffer from high cholesterol.
High cholesterol increases the risk of a heart attack. The lowering of cholesterol is important for everyone: whether you are young or old, male or female, suffering from heart disease, or not.

The nasty fact is that in people over the age of 45, heart disease and stroke overtake HIV/AIDS as the leading cause of death among South Africans! It is important to remember that by lowering cholesterol that is too high you lessen your risk for developing heart disease and possibly dying from a heart attack.
Also remember, your cholesterol can be controlled.