Hypercholesterolaemia
A study, conducted from 2004 to 2007 with some 5,000 Singaporeans showed that 48.1 percent had high cholesterol. But 17.3 percent were unaware of their condition until they were tested during the study.
Leaving high cholesterol untreated increases the risk of debilitating heart attacks and strokes. Some patients remain reluctant to take statins (a class of medication used to treat hypercholesterolaemia), for fear of side effects such as liver inflammation and muscle aches. Some cholesterol problems are secondary to underlying hormonal problems, and some are difficult to treat, yielding poor results with the usual medications. Endocrinologists are able to provide comprehensive lipids treatment, especially for difficult cases.
In general hypercholesterolaemia is a highly treatable condition, often with significant reduction of vascular risk with proper treatment.