Here’s How To Better Manage High Cholesterol
What is high cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a naturally occurring substance that is produced by the body. There is both ‘good’ and ‘bad’ cholesterol in the body. The good cholesterol is known as HDL, and the bad cholesterol is known as LDL. Having an excess of ‘bad’ cholesterol can be adverse to your health.
High cholesterol is a chronic condition that is thus usually referred to as having too much LDL or triglycerides. Triglycerides are a type of fat (or lipid) found in the blood. When screening for cholesterol, your triglyceride levels are also tested. Although most patients with high cholesterol do not display any symptoms, the condition may increase your risk of other complications. This generally occurs due to plaque deposits in the blood vessels, which can break off and cause blockages, resulting in heart attacks and strokes.
How common is high cholesterol in Singapore?
33.6% of people in Singapore suffer from high cholesterol in Singapore as of 2017. A third of all coronary heart diseases globally are caused by this condition. The only way to detect high cholesterol is through a blood test, so if you would like to find out your cholesterol levels, get in touch with us at +65 8180 8948 to schedule an appointment.
General treatment for high cholesterol
Reduce intake of saturated fats and use good fats in moderation.
Quit smoking. Smoking lowers HDL cholesterol, which is the “good” cholesterol. In addition, smoking increases your risk of coronary heart disease if you already have high cholesterol.
Maintain a healthy weight. Exercise regularly and eat a heart-healthy diet that is low in sodium and high in fruits and vegetables.
Consult your doctor who can prescribe cholesterol-lowering medications if the above actions are not effective. Statins and other medications may be prescribed in such cases.
Trying to keep your weight under control? Check out some tips for exercises that can be done in the comfort of your home.
What happens when high cholesterol is not well-managed?
High cholesterol is a significant risk factor for angina, stroke, coronary heart disease and other cardiovascular diseases. The development of health complications will lead to hospitalization and additional treatment costs. High cholesterol levels may be associated with high blood pressure and diabetes, so it is recommended that you also receive screening for these two conditions.
Sign up for our Chronic Disease Home Management (CDHM)™ Package and let Speedoc help manage your cholesterol
Be it regular follow-ups and blood tests to assess your cholesterol levels, investigation for other possible complications or medicine refills, Speedoc can help streamline and simplify the processes and let you keep high cholesterol under good control from home with our Chronic Disease Home Management (CDHM)™ programme. Plus, you get 5 additional teleconsultations included that can be used by any family member, for any condition.
WHAT’S INCLUDED IN CDHM™ FOR HIGH CHOLESTEROL?
Under the CDHM™ programme for high cholesterol, you will see a Speedoc doctor a total of three (3) times, virtually and in-person.
Visit 1: In-person doctor visit
A Speedoc doctor will visit you in your home to perform the relevant lab tests and establish a baseline for your condition. The doctor, or accompanying nurse, will take your blood and send the samples to the lab for examination. They will also ask you questions about your diet, lifestyle habits, etc. to help you create a personalised treatment plan that you can stick to.
Visit 1.5: Video consultation for review
A video consultation will be scheduled three to five days after the initial in-person visit for your doctor to go over the lab test results with you and determine your next steps. Depending on your condition, you may or may not require medication. If you do, medication enough for six months will be prescribed and delivered to you.
Visit 2: Follow-up video consultation
Six months after your initial visit, our Patient Care Team will reach out to you again to schedule your second doctor video consultation. At this virtual visit, your doctor will review your condition and amend your prescription as needed. Another six month’s worth of medication will be prescribed and delivered to you.
WHAT ABOUT THE LAB TESTS?
Our CDHM™ programme for high cholesterol includes all tests below:
