Dr. Doan Vinh Binh, from the Medical Information Center at Tam Anh General Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, cited data from the National Survey on Risk Factors for Non-Communicable Diseases. The survey revealed that 44% of Vietnamese adults aged 18-69 suffer from high blood fat. This condition often develops silently over many years, presenting no specific symptoms.

High blood fat, also known as dyslipidemia, occurs when there is an imbalance in one or more of the commonly tested blood lipid components: total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-cholesterol, and HDL-cholesterol.

For healthy adults, recommended levels are total cholesterol below 150 mg/dL, LDL-cholesterol below 100 mg/dL, triglycerides below 150 mg/dL, and HDL-cholesterol above 40 mg/dL. Total cholesterol exceeding 200 mg/dL signals high blood fat, necessitating treatment and management to prevent serious complications.

Atherosclerosis primarily results from LDL-cholesterol accumulating in arterial walls, forming plaques. These plaques gradually enlarge, narrowing blood vessels and reducing blood flow, leading to ischemia in organs like the heart, brain, kidneys, and limbs.

Hypertension is a common complication of high blood fat. As plaques accumulate, they narrow blood vessels and reduce arterial elasticity. The heart works harder to pump blood, increasing blood pressure. Uncontrolled hypertension accelerates atherosclerosis, raising the risk of heart failure, stroke, and kidney failure.

High blood fat poses a significant risk for stroke. It increases the likelihood of developing atherosclerotic plaques and blood clots, which can block or rupture cerebral blood vessels, causing either ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke.

Myocardial infarction is a dangerous complication of high blood fat disease. Photo created by AI

Myocardial infarction, or heart attack, occurs when a blood clot forms on an atherosclerotic plaque in a coronary artery, suddenly blocking blood flow to the heart muscle. Without timely intervention, this leads to irreversible heart muscle death, resulting in heart failure, arrhythmias, or even death.

Fatty liver disease arises when the liver cannot process excessively high cholesterol levels, leading to fat accumulation in liver cells. This can progress to complications such as hepatitis, cirrhosis, and liver failure.

Individuals with high blood fat often have co-existing chronic conditions like hypertension, diabetes, and obesity, which can accelerate disease progression. To manage blood fat optimally, doctors advise a scientific lifestyle: a healthy diet, regular exercise, and maintaining a healthy weight. Natural supplements, such as GDL-5 from South American sugarcane powder, can help regulate blood fat naturally, reducing the risk of related diseases. Regular health check-ups are essential for early detection of dyslipidemia and timely intervention.

Dinh Dieu