Cholesterol check

How to read your cholesterol levels as per new research

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VIEWS ON CHOLESTEROL have changed in the past few years with new medical studies. Is having high levels of cholesterol really that bad? How has medical opinion changed about high cholesterol? Dr Mukesh Goel, senior consultant, cardiovascular and cardiothoracic surgery, heart and lung transplant surgery, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, says: "Recent research has revealed that the risks associated with high cholesterol may vary from person to person and depend on overall metabolic health. Historically, high levels of LDL ("bad" cholesterol) were seen as a major risk for heart attacks and strokes, but new studies show some people can have elevated cholesterol and remain healthy, especially if they do not have other metabolic conditions like diabetes. However, for most individuals, high cholesterol is still linked with increased chances of heart disease, so doctors recommend keeping it in check. The consensus now is that cardiovascular risk should be asse