Cholesterol Being Normal Is Not Always Low Risk of Heart Attack, Says Top Neurologist
cholesterol being normal is not always low risk of heart attack, says top neurologist
Having normal cholesterol does not mean low risk, as heart disease can occur even with a textbook lipid profile, revealed top neurologist Dr Sudhir Kumar. Dr Kumar was referring to a case of a physically fit 40-year-old man who did not have a history of heart disease and lived a "balanced life".
Rahul (name changed), a successful IT professional, did not smoke, rarely drank, and went for annual check-ups. With a completely normal lipid profile, no diabetes, and no high blood pressure, you would assume he is healthy. So, when he felt a dull ache in his chest during a morning walk, he brushed it off as acidity. Two hours later, Rahul collapsed at home, suffering from an acute heart attack. The coronary angiogram revealed a critical blockage in one of his major arteries.
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According to Dr Kumar, despite showing disbelief, for Rahul's family, it was difficult to accept what went wrong with him. The Most Common Heart Failure Symptoms That Can Appear in Your Ankles
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However, the risk factors included:
- A sedentary desk job with long hours
- Chronic work stress and poor sleep
- Not eating breakfast and consuming late-night meals
- Abdominal obesity or visceral fat – around the abdomen, though his weight looked “normal”
- No one had ever tested his Lipoprotein(a) or HS-CRP, both of which were later found to be high
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Experts believe that even though "normal" cholesterol levels, as defined by current guidelines, are generally associated with lower risk, they do not guarantee protection against heart attacks. Many of those who have proper medical parameters still experience heart attacks, which highlights the importance of considering other risk factors and the potential benefits of further risk reduction.
What are the risks beyond cholesterol?
Heart attacks, also known as myocardial infarctions, are mostly caused by reduced blood flow to the heart muscle. There are many risk factors that contribute to this, which include lifestyle choices, pre-existing medical conditions, and genetic predispositions.According to Dr Kumar, insulin resistance, inflammation, and genetics play a hidden yet major role. Also, it is important to get regular tests like HS-CRP, lipoprotein (a), ApoB, and CAC score done, which can reveal silent risks.
Make sure to go beyond medical reports, as your lifestyle, which includes stress and how much you sleep in a day.
Early screening also matters, even if there is no family history of heart issues. If you are more than 40 years old, make sure to insist on a more comprehensive cardiac risk assessment. Apart from that, do incorporate a healthy diet, regular workouts – 150 hours in a week – and stress management, as they "aren't luxuries – they are life-saving,” said Dr Kumar.
