Over half of Brits may have high cholesterol. Will ending 'bad' cholesterol test add to problems?

PUTNEY, U.K. - Oct. 26, 2023 - PRLog -- This October is Cholesterol Awareness Month, and a leading medical expert says increased awareness of this condition can't come too soon.

Dr Avinash Hari Narayanan (MBChB), Clinical Lead at London Medical Laboratory, says: '27% of people taking part in Our Future Health's new research programme were found to have high blood pressure and a huge 54% were found to have high total cholesterol levels.

'High cholesterol is a major underlying risk factor for cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death worldwide, often leading to heart attacks and strokes. In England, high cholesterol leads to over 7% of all deaths and affects up to 60% of adults.

'With cholesterol levels having such a critical long-term impact, absolute clarity is needed in test results and interpretation. However, the NHS has recently switched from the well-known and understood measurement of LDL (low-density lipoprotein), traditionally known as "bad" cholesterol, to a new measure. It's vital that this change doesn't confuse anyone receiving a test.

'Our LDL "bad" cholesterol levels used to be compared alongside our HDL (high-density lipoprotein) "good" cholesterol levels, as well as the total cholesterol level. However, some researchers believe that measuring our "non-HDL" cholesterol levels gives a better assessment of the risk for heart disease than measuring only "bad" LDL levels. Because of this change, a "non-HDL" level is the measurement patients will probably be given now by their GPs.

'The former NHS guidance said LDL levels should be 3mmol/L or less. However, the new non-HDL measure is very different. England's NHS says, as a guide, your "non-HDL" level should be lower than 4mmol/L. That is potentially confusing for your patients or customers, as a 4mmol/L reading of LDL would put them at a notably higher risk of cardiovascular disease.

With cholesterol becoming something of a "silent epidemic", the new, more accurate testing should be welcome. However, people used to checking their LDL "bad" cholesterols may feel confused or still wish to monitor this reading separately.

'Fortunately, there are some up-to-date tests that, while offering the new non-HDL measure, also continue to identify LDL "bad" cholesterol levels. London Medical Laboratory's Cholesterol Profile test is a revolutionary and convenient home-fingerprick test. It measures total cholesterol, LDL, non-HDL, triglycerides and three other key markers. It can be taken at home through the post, or at one of the many drop-in clinics that offer these tests across London and nationwide in over 95 selected pharmacies and health stores. For full details, see: https://www.londonmedicallaboratory.com/product/cholesterol-profile