DT Health: Abnormal lipids too hurt heart

CHENNAI: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a group of disorders of the heart and blood vessels, including coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, peripheral arterial disease, rheumatic heart disease, congenital heart disease, deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. Apart from obesity and elevated blood pressure, abnormal lipids is a risk factor for developing cardiovascular diseases.

SRL Diagnostics, a diagnostic laboratory conducted a retrospective data study on 75,000 samples tested in Chennai for lipid profile in the last five-year period. The findings from the data study revealed that 19 per cent of the samples tested for total cholesterol tested borderline high and over 7 per cent samples tested high. HDL cholesterol, which is considered ‘good cholesterol’ was below normal levels in 43 per cent of samples.

The LDL cholesterol was optimal in 32 per cent of the samples, above optimal in 31 per cent, borderline high in 24 per cent and much higher in 12 per cent of the samples. It was found that 17 per cent of the samples tested for Triglycerides tested borderline high and over 16 per cent samples tested high.

Commenting on the study, Dr CN Srinivas, Chief of Laboratory, SRL Diagnostics Chennai, said, “Individuals at risk of CVD may demonstrate raised blood pressure, glucose and lipids as well as overweight and obesity. Identifying those at highest risk of CVDs and ensuring they receive appropriate treatment can prevent premature deaths.”

Dr S Rajan, Director of Cardiac Surgery at the Institute of Cardio-Vascular Diseases, a unit of Madras Medical Mission said, “With the advent of new technologies, we are upgrading ourselves to the next era in care. With more upcoming hybrid procedures, a patient’s morbidity has significantly reduced and the outcomes have improved drastically. Near-infrared spectroscopy for monitoring cerebral blood flow, continuous cardiac output monitoring, 3D echocardiogram, 3D printing of heart valves and mobile monitoring of sick patients using various apps have increased patient safety and outcomes.”