'High cholesterol leading to heart diseases'

KARACHI:

Health experts have expressed serious concerns over the growing prevalence of high cholesterol levels among the population, warning that this could trigger an alarming increase in heart-related illnesses such as heart attacks and strokes.

According to specialists from the newly established Lipid Forum of Pakistan, more than 85% of the country's population suffers from elevated cholesterol, a key contributor to the narrowing of arteries that supply blood throughout the body.

While speaking to The Express Tribune, leading medical professionals, including Prof Abdul Rasheed, Prof Nawaz Lashari, Deputy Director of Health Karachi Dr Pir Ghulam Nabi Shah Chelani, Prof Jameel Ahmed, and Prof Kamal Yousuf, stressed that poor dietary habits -particularly the consumption of fast food, substandard chicken, and fatty foods - are fueling this health crisis.

Experts spoke about a troubling rise in cholesterol-related issues among schoolchildren and the youth, attributing it to the excessive intake of fast food. This trend is contributing to early-onset arterial constriction and increasing cases of cardiovascular disease at a younger age.

The medical professionals warned that high levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), often referred to as "bad cholesterol," combined with low levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) or "good cholesterol," elevate the risk of serious heart conditions. Ideally, HDL cholesterol should constitute over 50% of total cholesterol to support healthy blood flow and reduce the risk of arterial blockages.

To combat this growing public health concern, the experts strongly recommended adopting a balanced diet rich in nutrients and low in unhealthy fats. They also called for regular physical activity, particularly walking, which has been scientifically proven to reduce stress, enhance blood circulation, and help eliminate excess body fat and toxins.

They further urged parents to take a proactive role in managing their children's dietary habits by limiting fast food and processed food consumption. Promoting physical activity and healthy eating from a young age, they noted, is essential to reversing current trends and improving the long-term health of future generations.