Cholesterol Awareness Week

Cholesterol Awareness Week (11 – 17 November 2024) was a national initiative driven by Heart Support Australia, Hearts4heart and Heartbeat of Sport kindly supported by Novartis.

Cholesterol Awareness Week aims to:

Increase public awareness: with education that highlights the dangers of high cholesterol as a critical risk factor for ASCVD, encouraging individuals to understand their risks and take action to manage their cholesterol levels.
Promote early detection: through free health screenings at the VAILO Adelaide 500 and demonstrating the ease of having a cholesterol and heart health check, which can help identify high cholesterol early and provide professional advice on managing it.
Empower patient voices: by amplifying the voices of people living with high cholesterol through initiatives like the Insights from Patience Living with Elevated Cholesterol (IPEC) study, advocating for patient involvement in both personal health management and policy discussions to improve health outcomes.
Encourage lifestyle changes and treatment: emphasising the importance of lifestyle modifications, such as healthier diets and increased physical activity, alongside the need for ongoing cholesterol management through medication when necessary.

The campaign creates an opportunity to encourage crucial conversations about the importance of heart health, treatment and long-term management of high cholesterol and how it is addressed in Australia.

What is high cholesterol?

High cholesterol refers to elevated levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), often referred as bad cholesterol. Increased levels of bad cholesterol leads to the buildup of fatty deposits (plaque) in the walls of arteries. Over time, this buildup causes the arteries to narrow and stiffen, consequently restricting blood flow and resulting in blockages that prevent oxygen-rich blood from reaching critical organs like the heart and brain.

High levels of cholesterol are a critical risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD).² ASCVD encompasses a range of conditions caused leading to life-threatening events such as heart attacks and strokes. Globally, ASCVD is responsible for 85% of cardiovascular-related deaths.

In Australia, nearly 45,000 deaths in 2022 were attributed to ASCVD, with this number expected to increase each year.

Despite its severity, many Australians remain unaware of their elevated cholesterol levels and only a small proportion actively manage the condition.

This gap in awareness and management highlights the urgent need for more proactive efforts to prevent ASCVD and reduce the overall burden of cardiovascular disease. Managing high cholesterol is essential in reducing the risks associated with ASCVD and improving overall health outcomes.³

Could you be at risk of high cholesterol?

Risk factors of high cholesterol and ASCVD can include:

- Family history
- Age >50-years
- Lifestyle factors such as:
  - Smoking
  - Poor diet
  - Lack of physical activity
  - Alcohol consumption
- Existing comorbidities such as:
  - Diabetes
  - High blood pressure (hypertension)
  - Overweight or Obesity
- Certain medications

Most people don’t experience symptoms of high cholesterol, earning it the label of a “silent disease”. Don’t wait any longer and go see your GP or Cardiologist and get your cholesterol checked again and avoid being another statistic of heart disease.

For more information about cholesterol visit http://www.knowyournumberstreatyourrisk.com.au

Cholesterol Awareness Week