By Ado Oyeyemi
Health experts have warned that high cholesterol can silently damage blood vessels and trigger life-threatening complications, including heart attacks and strokes, urging Nigerians to undergo regular screening and seek medical attention when necessary.
The experts gave the warning in separate exclusive interviews with PUNCH Healthwise, explaining that the condition could remain undetected for years because it often presents no noticeable symptoms until serious damage has occurred.
A public health physician and Director of Medical Services at the Federal College of Education (Technical), Akoka, Lagos, Dr Rotimi Adesanya, said excessive cholesterol could contribute to coronary heart disease and other cardiovascular complications.
He explained that low-density lipoprotein, commonly known as LDL or bad cholesterol, could accumulate in blood vessel walls, forming fatty deposits known as plaques that restrict blood flow to vital organs.
Adesanya said when the affected blood vessels supplied the brain, reduced blood flow could result in a stroke, while blockages in vessels supplying the heart could lead to a heart attack.
He noted that many people might be unaware of their cholesterol levels until they undergo laboratory investigations, stressing that a lipid profile test was necessary to establish the condition.
The physician advised people with high blood pressure, diabetes and other cardiovascular risk factors to discuss cholesterol screening with their healthcare providers.
He also recommended regular exercise, increased consumption of fruits and vegetables, and reduced intake of fatty foods and excessive oil.
Also speaking exclusively with PUNCH Healthwise, the Assistant Director of Dietetics at the Lagos State Health Service Commission, General Hospital, Badagry, Olusola Malomo, said prolonged exposure to high levels of LDL cholesterol could cause dangerous changes in the arteries.
Malomo explained that cholesterol deposits could trigger inflammation within the artery walls, gradually building up plaques that narrow the blood vessels and restrict circulation.
If a plaque ruptured, he said, a blood clot could form and obstruct blood flow to the heart or brain, causing a heart attack or stroke.
He added that narrowed arteries could also cause peripheral arterial disease, which reduces blood supply to the limbs and may result in pain while walking, delayed wound healing and, in severe cases, tissue damage requiring amputation.
The dietitian warned that feeling healthy did not necessarily mean a person had normal cholesterol levels, noting that laboratory testing remained important for detecting the condition.
He urged Nigerians to limit fried foods, fatty and processed meats, pastries and other foods rich in unhealthy fats, while increasing their intake of beans, vegetables, fruits, whole grains and fish.
He also recommended regular physical activity, smoking cessation and appropriate medical follow-up.
Malomo said lifestyle changes might be sufficient for some people with mildly elevated cholesterol, but others could require medication depending on their cholesterol levels, medical history and overall cardiovascular risk.
He identified statins and other cholesterol-lowering medicines as possible treatment options for eligible patients, stressing that such drugs should be taken under medical supervision.
The dietitian cautioned patients against discontinuing prescribed medication simply because they felt better, emphasising that treatment should combine appropriate medication with healthy lifestyle choices.
“Medication supports lifestyle change but does not replace it,” he said.
A 2020 systematic review and meta-analysis published in the journal Public Health estimated that the pooled prevalence of high cholesterol in Nigeria was 38 per cent, based on 13 studies involving 16,981 participants.
The researchers also estimated that the number of Nigerians aged 20 and above living with the condition rose from 8.2 million in 1995 to 21.9 million in 2015.
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The World Health Organisation has similarly warned that cholesterol deposits can narrow arteries and restrict blood flow, while the rupture of these deposits and subsequent blood clot formation can trigger heart attacks and strokes.
