CHOLESTEROL

THE FATS OF LIFE

THE FATS
Cholesterol is a necessary fatty substance in the blood. However,
when there is too much cholesterol in the blood, it builds up on
the walls of your arteries and increases your risk for heart disease.
About 33 people die per day as a result of heart attack, and
approximately 60 die per day due to stroke. Cholesterol levels are
on the rise in South Africa.

AN Y
C
T
A
H
W

OU

O
T
O
D N T RO L

C OOLESTEROL?
CH

Get active

Lose weight

Eat well
Get active

Reduce your
blood sugar

Manage your
blood pressure

Stop smoking

LOW DENSITY LIPOPROTEIN (LDL)

HIGH DENSITY LIPOPROTEIN (HDL)

Bad cholesterol - this type of

cholesterol collects in blood vessel
walls, causing blockages and
increasing the risk of heart disease

Good cholesterol these small,

high-protein compounds collect
excess cholesterol and shuttle it
back to the liver for disposal. High
levels of HDL will reduce your risk
of disease.

TRIGLYCERIDES

Energy-dense fats used as fuel in

the body too many of these signal
obesity, insulin resistance, diabetes
and high blood pressure.

Non-diabetic
More than

Non-diabetic
Less than

3.4

1.6

Diabetic Men
More than

Diabetic
Less than

1.8

mmol/l

Diabetic Women
More than

1.2

Non-diabetic
Less than

1.7
Diabetic
Less than

1.7

mmol/l

mmol/l

Discovery Vitality (Pty) Ltd is an authorised financial services provider. Registration number: 1999/007736/07. Terms and conditions apply.