Hypertension & Cholesterol Management

Why Hypertension & Cholesterol Management is Vital for Heart Health

Could your heart health be at risk without you knowing? The silent threats of high blood pressure and raised cholesterol are more common than you might think. Consequently, regular hypertension & cholesterol management screenings could be your best defence against heart attacks and strokes.

Why Hypertension & Cholesterol Management Screenings Matter

Cardiovascular health risks, such as high blood pressure and elevated cholesterol levels, often exhibit no warning signs before disaster strikes. There’s a reason doctors recommend routine screening tests. Without regular screenings, you may remain unaware of your risk for heart disease and stroke.

When visiting a GP for a check-up, patients often undergo these screening tests: 

• Blood pressure measurement: Even when feeling healthy, hypertension (high blood pressure) can occur without symptoms. Screening is the only way to detect this “silent killer” before it becomes a danger, as untreated hypertension greatly increases your risk of experiencing heart attacks, strokes, and kidney damage. 

• Cholesterol test (lipid profile): This simple blood test is crucial for revealing high cholesterol levels that contribute to artery-clogging plaques. Both LDL (“bad” cholesterol) and low HDL (“good” cholesterol) are linked to an increased chance of heart attacks and strokes. 

• Body mass index and waist measurement: These figures help determine if excess body weight is compounding your risks, as being overweight or obese is a strong driver for both hypertension and high cholesterol. 

High Cholesterol – What You Need to Know 

Like hypertension, high cholesterol offers no early warning signs. The only way to know your status is through a screening test, which is often recommended if you’re over 40, overweight, or have a family history of heart disease. 

The key values you should know are: 

• Total cholesterol: Ideally, below 5 mmol/L
• LDL (“bad”) cholesterol: Ideally, below 3 mmol/L
• HDL (“good”) cholesterol: Should be above 1 mmol/L for men and 1,2 mmol/L for women
• Triglycerides: Ideally, below 1,7 mmol/L 

If your cholesterol is too high, your medical team may recommend: 

• Lifestyle changes: These can prove decisive. Improving your diet by reducing saturated fats, quitting smoking, limiting alcohol consumption, and increasing physical activity all help lower high cholesterol levels. Losing weight if you’re overweight is especially effective. 

• Medications: Sometimes lifestyle changes alone aren’t enough, or your risk is already high. Your doctor may prescribe statins and other cholesterol-lowering medications to help manage the condition, tailored to your risk. 

A cholesterol test provides you and your healthcare provider with important information about your risk of developing heart disease. If your test results indicate that you have high cholesterol, you can take steps to lower it. This may decrease your risk of developing heart problems in the future. 

Blood Pressure Control: The Key to Cardiovascular Health 

Blood pressure control is pivotal in preventing damage to your arteries, heart and other organs. Here’s why it matters: 

• Normal blood pressure: Less than 120/80
• Elevated: 120-129/<80
• Stage One Hypertension: 130-139/80-89
• Stage Two Hypertension: 140/90 or higher 

If your readings are consistently above normal, intervention is crucial. Your care plan may include: 

• Medication: There are several types of antihypertensive medicines. Your doctor will determine the most suitable based on your blood pressure and overall cardiovascular health. 

• Lifestyle modifications:
• Diet: Reduce salt and eat more fruit, vegetables, whole grains and lean protein.
• Physical activity: Do at least 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity exercise.
• Stress management: Incorporate stress-reduction techniques such as mindfulness or yoga.
• Weight loss: Even a modest reduction in body weight can lower blood pressure if you are overweight or obese. 

The Link Between Hypertension & Cholesterol Management and Cardiovascular Health 

The interplay between blood pressure and cholesterol is critical: the higher your cholesterol and blood pressure, the greater your overall risk of developing serious complications such as heart attacks, stroke, and kidney failure. Managing both is the key to optimal cardiovascular health. 

Routine screening creates a comprehensive risk profile, enabling your healthcare professional to tailor interventions, whether lifestyle modifications or medications, to your specific risk factors. After the age of 40, this risk assessment may involve additional tools, such as a 10-year cardiovascular risk calculator to predict your risk of illness and guide your treatment. 

What Happens During a Screening Test?

Hypertension & cholesterol management screening typically involves a painless blood test and a quick blood pressure reading. Although many modern cholesterol tests no longer require fasting, your doctor may still recommend it for more accurate triglyceride readings. 

• Blood draw: Taken from your arm (sent to a lab) or a finger-prick test (results in minutes)
• Blood pressure check: An inflatable cuff on your arm with an automatic or manual measuring device 

Screenings can often be performed at your GP’s office or even some pharmacies, making it more accessible than ever for South Africans to take charge of their heart health. 

Who Should Be Checked and How Often? 

Everyone over the age of 40 should undergo regular cardiovascular risk assessments. More often, if you have risk factors such as: 

• A family history of heart disease
• Obesity or being overweight
• Tobacco use
• Diabetes or kidney disease
• Existing high blood pressure or high cholesterol 

If your numbers are reassuringly normal, annual checks may be sufficient. Those with existing risk factors or abnormal results should expect more frequent monitoring, guided by their GP or medical professional. 

Taking the Next Steps: Treatment and Lifestyle Recommendations 

If screening shows you need support with hypertension & cholesterol management, here’s what your care plan might look like: 

• Medication: Tailored therapies to lower blood pressure and treat high cholesterol, such as statins for cholesterol or ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, and calcium channel blockers for hypertension. 

• Lifestyle changes: Consistent exercise, ceasing smoking, reducing alcohol intake, and a heart-healthy diet rich in vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins have a significant impact. 

• Ongoing monitoring: Regular follow-ups ensure blood pressure and cholesterol targets are met, with adjustments to your plan as needed. 

Like high blood pressure, cholesterol can often be controlled through lifestyle changes and/or medication. 

Prevention Starts with Screening 

Don’t let the absence of symptoms lull you into a false sense of security. Proactive hypertension & cholesterol management through screenings can avert irreversible harm and empower you to make wise health choices. 

Your heart deserves attention. Book a screening today and take the first step in securing your lifelong cardiovascular well-being.