Pharmacist Raj Patel has issued an urgent message to anyone living with high cholesterol, warning that it could lead to dangerous health conditions if ignored. With over 35 years of industry experience, Patel shared his advice on TikTok, where he has nearly 100,000 followers.
Silent Danger of High Cholesterol
Patel explained that high cholesterol could be damaging your arteries without you feeling anything. He said: "These yellow particles represent LDL often called your bad cholesterol. LDL carries cholesterol through your bloodstream and your body actually needs cholesterol but when too many LDL particles circulate, some can enter and become trapped inside the artery wall."
Over time, this fatty material can build up and eventually form a plaque, known as atherosclerosis. Patel described how the plaque can narrow arteries and restrict blood flow, but noted that "narrowing isn't always the most dangerous part."
Risk of Heart Attack and Stroke
He warned that a plaque can rupture, leading to a blood clot that can block blood flow to the heart, causing a heart attack, or to the brain, causing a stroke. Narrowed arteries in the legs can also lead to peripheral arterial disease.
Patel urged anyone who suspects they have high cholesterol to act now and not wait until they feel something. He added: "Know your cholesterol numbers and know your cardiovascular risk."
Getting Tested
According to the NHS, high cholesterol does not usually cause symptoms, and most people only discover they have it after a routine blood test. Adults aged 40 to 74 are offered a free check to assess risk factors.
You are more at risk if you are over 50, smoke, eat a lot of fatty foods, do not exercise, or have a family history of high cholesterol. A simple blood test at your GP surgery can identify your levels.
