8/13/2019 Many Singaporeans Unaware They Have High Cholesterol

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1/2/2014 Many Singaporeans unaware they have high cholesterol: Study

http://www.todayonline.com/print/405421

BY VIMITA MOHANDAS - 15 HOURS 34 MIN AGO

singapore

Many Singaporeans unaware theyhave high cholesterol: Study

SINGAPORE - A study conducted over three years, from 2004 to 2007,with some 5,000 Singaporeans showed that 48.1 per cent had highcholesterol.

SINGAPORE - A study conducted over three years, from 2004 to 2007, with some

5,000 Singaporeans showed that 48.1 per cent had high cholesterol.

But 17.3 per cent were unaware of their condition until they were tested during the

study.

Doctors say this is worrying as leaving high cholesterol untreated increases the risk of

heart attacks and strokes.

High cholesterol was ranked the second most prevalent cardiovascular risk factoramong adult Singaporeans aged 18-69 years in 2010.

Mr Tay Chong Chek was just 36 when he was diagnosed with high cholesterol, placing

him in the high-risk category for coronary heart disease.

He said: In 1990, I was diagnosed with high cholesterol from regular check-ups. I was

rather tired and was under work stress. My bad cholesterol was 245 (mg/dL).

I started taking Zocol for 13 years but that didnt help because of work stress and I wasshifting office, which made it worse. (There was also) no control of diet and (no)

exercise.

But now, the retired Mr Tays cholesterol level is under control, due to a proper diet,

regular check-ups, medication and exercise.

However, unlike Mr Tay who became aware of his condition through his check-ups,

another recent study showed this is not really the case for most Singaporeans.

8/13/2019 Many Singaporeans Unaware They Have High Cholesterol

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1/2/2014 Many Singaporeans unaware they have high cholesterol: Study

http://www.todayonline.com/print/405421

The study, conducted from last June to August, involved some 300 respondents, of

which 22 per cent were diagnosed with high cholesterol.

It also revealed that nine in 10 did not know their cholesterol level and more than eight

in 10 did not know the difference between good and bad cholesterol.

The study also showed that one in 10 was worried about potential side effects of

medication.

Associate Professor Tai E Shyong, head of the Endocrinology Division at the NUS Yong

Loo Lin School of Medicine, said: Im not saying there are no risks associated with

medications for lowering cholesterol but I think its important we be very clear that

whenever a doctor makes a recommendation for a patient to go on medication, hes

made an assessment as to what the relative risk and benefit is.

We only make a recommendation for treatment when the benefit is greater than the

risk.

Doctors advise the public to be more aware of their cholesterol conditions and

distinguish between good and bad cholesterol so as to receive the right kind of care for

their condition. CHANNEL NEWSASIA