High Cholesterol Management

High cholesterol is a common but serious health concern that often has no obvious symptoms. At HealthHub Clinics in Dubai, our Cardiology department provides comprehensive high cholesterol management services to help keep your cholesterol levels in check and protect your heart. We offer an informative, supportive approach for people of all ages – especially adults over 40 – to prevent high cholesterol or manage it effectively if you’ve been diagnosed. Our goal is to help you lead a heart-healthy life through early detection, lifestyle changes, and when needed, medical treatment.

Accurate Heart Rhythm Testing at HealthHub Clinics

We provide comprehensive heart rhythm testing in Dubai, including on-site resting and stress ECG as well as 24-hour Holter monitoring. All tests are non-invasive and carried out by our experienced cardiologists using modern equipment to ensure accurate results. With our personalized approach to care, you can trust that your heart is in good hands at HealthHub Clinics.

Understanding High Cholesterol

Cholesterol is a fatty substance in the blood that your body needs in small amounts, but too much can be harmful. There are “good” and “bad” types of cholesterol: LDL is the “bad” type that can build up in arteries, whereas HDL is the “good” type that helps remove excess cholesterol. High cholesterol (hyperlipidemia) usually means having too much LDL (and/or triglycerides) or not enough HDL. High cholesterol is a major risk factor for heart attacks and strokes, so managing your levels is crucial for long-term heart health.

Causes and Risk Factors

Factors that can lead to high cholesterol or increase your risk include:

Unhealthy Diet: Eating too many saturated and trans fats (found in fried foods, fatty meats, processed snacks, and full-fat dairy) raises your LDL cholesterol.
Lack of Exercise: A sedentary lifestyle can lower HDL (good cholesterol) and often leads to weight gain and higher LDL levels.
Obesity: Being overweight, especially carrying excess fat around your waist, tends to raise LDL and triglycerides and lower HDL.
Age & Gender: Cholesterol levels usually rise as you get older. Men over 40 and women after menopause have a higher risk of high cholesterol.
Family History: Genetics play a role. If high cholesterol runs in your family, you may have elevated levels even if you eat well and stay active.
Smoking & Alcohol: Smoking lowers HDL and damages arteries, making high cholesterol more dangerous. Excessive alcohol use can raise triglycerides and contribute to higher cholesterol.

Medical Conditions: Health issues like diabetes, hypothyroidism, or kidney disease can cause higher cholesterol levels. Treating these conditions can help control cholesterol.

Symptoms and Complications

The tricky part about high cholesterol is that it usually has no symptoms. You can feel fine and not know your cholesterol is high until a blood test reveals it.

If high cholesterol isn’t treated, fatty plaques can build up inside your arteries (a process called atherosclerosis). This buildup can lead to serious complications:

Heart Disease and Heart Attacks: Plaque in the heart’s arteries can reduce blood flow to the heart muscle, causing chest pain (angina). If an artery becomes completely blocked, a heart attack can occur.
Stroke: If plaques or blood clots block blood flow in an artery supplying the brain, a stroke can result.

These conditions can be life-threatening or greatly impact your quality of life. Fortunately, by finding high cholesterol early and managing it, you can reduce your risk of these complications. That’s why routine cholesterol checks and timely treatment are so important, even if you feel healthy.

Diagnosis and Cholesterol Testing

Checking your cholesterol levels is simple. A blood test called a lipid profile measures your total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, and triglycerides. You may need to fast for a few hours beforehand for accuracy. At HealthHub Clinics, we perform this test on-site and explain the results to you. If any of your levels are high, we’ll discuss steps to get them under control.

Regular cholesterol screening is recommended, especially for older adults or those with risk factors. By checking your cholesterol periodically, you can take action early if your levels start to rise.

Preventive Care and Lifestyle Changes

Whether you’re trying to prevent high cholesterol or already have it, adopting a heart-healthy lifestyle is crucial. Key lifestyle changes include:

Healthy Diet: Eat plenty of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and lean protein (fish, poultry, beans). Use healthy fats like olive oil, nuts, and avocado, and cut back on saturated and trans fats (fried foods, fatty meats, butter, full-fat dairy).
Regular Exercise: Aim for about 30 minutes of moderate exercise (like brisk walking or cycling) on most days. Being active boosts your HDL (good cholesterol) and helps lower LDL and triglycerides.
Maintain a Healthy Weight: If you’re overweight, losing even 5-10% of your weight can improve your cholesterol levels. Our team can support you with a personalized weight management plan.
Avoid Tobacco & Excess Alcohol: Quitting smoking can raise your HDL and reduce your heart risk. Also, limit alcohol intake – heavy drinking can raise triglycerides. If you drink, do so in moderation (no more than one drink a day for women, two for men).

By making these changes, many people can lower their cholesterol naturally. Even if medication is needed, a healthy lifestyle will boost the treatment’s effectiveness and improve your overall health. Our doctors and dietitians will help you stick with these habits for the long term.

Treatment Options for High Cholesterol

If lifestyle changes aren’t enough to control your cholesterol, your doctor may prescribe medication to help protect your heart. The most common drugs are statins (such as atorvastatin or rosuvastatin), which effectively lower LDL cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke. Statins are generally safe for long-term use and well-tolerated by most people.

If a statin isn’t enough or isn’t suitable, other medications can help. For example, ezetimibe reduces cholesterol absorption from food, and newer injectable drugs (PCSK9 inhibitors) can dramatically lower LDL levels in people with very high cholesterol or certain genetic conditions. Your HealthHub doctor will tailor your treatment plan to your needs and monitor your progress with follow-up blood tests.

Your Journey at HealthHub: What to Expect

When you visit HealthHub Clinics for high cholesterol management, we’ll support you at every step:

Initial Assessment & Testing: On your first visit, the doctor will review your health and risk factors and order a blood test (lipid profile) to check your cholesterol levels.
Results & Personalized Plan: At your follow-up visit, we’ll explain your test results. If your cholesterol is high, our cardiologist will create a custom plan for you, including specific diet and exercise advice and, if needed, medication.
Ongoing Follow-Up: We’ll schedule regular follow-up appointments (typically after a few months) to monitor your progress. We may repeat your cholesterol test to check improvement, review your lifestyle changes, and adjust your treatment if necessary. Regular check-ups will ensure your cholesterol stays under control.

Throughout your journey, our team is here to answer your questions and provide support. Managing high cholesterol is a partnership — we work together with you to achieve healthier cholesterol levels and reduce your heart risk.

Why Choose HealthHub Clinics for High Cholesterol Management?

Extensive Experience
Advanced Facilities
Affordable premium services
Trusted Al-Futtaim brand

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What are the symptoms of high cholesterol?

High cholesterol usually has no symptoms. You won’t know your levels are high without a blood test. That’s why routine cholesterol tests are important – they’re the only way to detect high cholesterol early.

Can diet and exercise alone lower high cholesterol?

Yes. Many people can significantly improve their cholesterol numbers – some even reach healthy levels – through diet, exercise, weight loss, and quitting smoking. However, if your cholesterol is very high or lifestyle changes aren’t enough, you might also need medication. Usually, we’ll try lifestyle changes first and then recheck your levels. If they’re still too high, adding medication can help.

Are statins safe for long-term use?

Yes. Statins are considered safe for most people when taken long-term. Serious side effects are rare, and doctors will monitor you during treatment. Most people stay on statins indefinitely to keep their cholesterol down. If side effects occur, your doctor can adjust your medication. Overall, the benefits of statins far outweigh the risks.