World Heart Day 2024: How high cholesterol, microplastics are contributing to rising heart diseases

High cholesterol and microplastics are emerging as extremely dangerous risk factors for cardiovascular diseases like heart attack and stroke said experts on SaturdayWhile cholesterol has traditionally been linked to an older population recent years have shown a marked increase in cholesterol among youngstersThis silent health concern often goes unnoticed as high cholesterol typically does not show clear symptoms until serious damage has been doneDr Preeti Gupta professor of Cardiology at Safdarjung Hospital Delhi said that early screenings and keeping cholesterol and LDLC levels bad cholesterol in check can make a big differenceRegular lipid profile testing and staying on top of your health can help catch any warning signs before they become serious problemsldquoElevated LDLC levels are a significant contributor to coronary artery disease which can lead to heart attacks and strokes Monitoring and managing these levels through lifestyle changes and medication if necessary are key to preventing heart diseaserdquo Gupta saidldquoFor people with comorbidities like diabetes or hypertension the lipid profile becomes even more crucial as they are at higher risk of developing heart issuesrdquo she addedAccording to recent guidelines from the Cardiological Society of India LDLC levels should be monitored regularly to ensure they stay within optimal ranges particularly in highrisk individualsThe lipid profile is one of the most important tests for assessing cardiovascular risk as it provides a detailed view of cholesterol levels including LDLC bad cholesterol HDLC good cholesterol and triglyceridesGupta recommended ldquostarting the test at age 18 and to repeat every 46 years unless risk factors suggest more frequent testingrdquoDr Vidya Suratkal cardiologist Lilavati Hospital Mumbai said that high cholesterol levels in youngsters aged 1924 can cause a 50 per cent spike in heart disease risk during middle age 3550About 7 out of 10 youngsters visiting me are having high cholesterol levels he addedThe experts cited obesity smoking family history genetics thyroid problems unhealthy diet high blood pressure sedentary lifestyles and alcohol as the major risk factors for elevated cholesterol levels which are putting the young hearts in dangerDr Sandeep Banerjee Pathologist Apollo Diagnostic Mumbai advised the youth ldquoto do the lipid profile test every 89 months as recommended by the doctor and adhere to a wellbalanced lifestyle that includes eating a nutritious diet exercising and sleeping wellrdquoMeanwhile the experts noted that microplastics in the bloodstream are also emerging as a hidden link to cardiovascular disordersMicroplastics are tiny plastic particles less than five millimetres in size and are ubiquitously found in the environment and have infiltrated every part of human livesFrom oceans and soils to the food people eat and the water they drink they have permeated the very core of the ecosystemRecent research reveals a concerning link between microplastics and human health especially regarding their impact on the bloodstream heart disease and even neurological disordersOnce microplastics enter the bloodstream they can trigger an immune response leading to persistent inflammation This chronic inflammation has the potential to disrupt normal bodily functions and over time is strongly associated with a range of serious health issues including cardiovascular diseases and neurological disordersrdquo Dr Praveen Gupta principal director amp chief of Neurology Fortis Hospital saidThe longterm impact of microplastic exposure is becoming a critical concern for public healthThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever