KNOW YOUR NUMBERS
High LDL cholesterol levels contribute to the risk of another heart attack3
There are two types of cholesterol:
Too much LDL cholesterol can accumulate in your blood vessels creating blockages that can lead to a heart attack or stroke. It is essential to lower both LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels as much as possible to reduce the chance of another cardiovascular event.
The first step in knowing your numbers is to work with your GP to get them checked. A simple blood test will determine your:
HDL cholesterol
Total cholesterol
LDL cholesterol
Triglycerides
Discuss the results with your GP and have your LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels monitored regularly
International guidelines recommend an
LDL cholesterol target of less than 1.4mmol/L and a
Triglyceride target of less than 1.7mmol/L
to reduce the risk of another heart attack4,5
TREAT YOUR RISK
500,000 Australians have LDL cholesterol levels higher than the recommended targets6
Many people who have had a heart attack or stroke will have higher than normal levels of LDL cholesterol. A change in your diet alone may not be enough to lower your cholesterol levels. Fortunately, LDL cholesterol is straightforward to treat with medication.
Several treatments are now available to help control your LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels which include:
Statins
These medicines remove LDL cholesterol from the blood and stop the body from producing more.
Ezetimibe
This medicine works by partially blocking the absorption of cholesterol so less cholesterol enters your blood.
PCSK9 Inhibitors
These medicines enhance your body’s ability to break down LDL cholesterol.
Icosapent Ethyl or Omega-3 Fatty Acid
These treatments work to lower triglyceride levels.
You may need to take two or three medications to reduce the risk of another cardiovascular event.
