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 Welcare Clinics

Managing high cholesterol

High cholesterol levels, or to give it its technical name, Dislipidemia, can increase your chances of having a heart attack or stroke. When there is too much cholesterol (a fat-like substance) in the blood, it can build up on the walls of the arteries, narrowing them and causing blood flow to be reduced or blocked altogether.

High cholesterol can be caused by a number of factors such as genetics and age, but by far the greatest cause is poor lifestyle choices including an unhealthy diet, too much alcohol and lack of exercise.

High cholesterol itself does not cause any symptoms, but levels can easily be checked by your doctor to determine if you are at risk. Adults aged 20 or over should have their cholesterol measured at least once every five years.

If you are diagnosed with high cholesterol, then you should look at changing your lifestyle. You should follow a healthy eating plan, lose excess weight and take up regular physical activity.

Foods to avoid include:

• fatty and processed meats;
• full fat dairy products;
• egg yolks;
• biscuits, cakes and other baked goods;
• saturated fats and oils;
• chocolate;
• coconut;
• trans fats;
• alcohol.

Foods which can actually help lower your cholesterol levels and reduce your chances of suffering a heart attack or stroke include:

• oatmeal, oat bran and other high fibre foods which reduce the absorption of cholesterol into your bloodstream;
• fish and omega-3 fatty acids which reduce blood pressure and the risk of developing blood clots;
• plain walnuts, almonds or other nuts which help keep blood vessels healthy;
• olive oil which contains antioxidants that lower your ‘bad’ cholesterol levels but retains ‘good’ cholesterol levels

If the changes you make to your lifestyle do not lower your cholesterol levels sufficiently, then your doctor may prescribe medication.


Dr. Basel Kret is an internal medicine specialist at Welcare Clinic Ibn Battuta. He also practises at The City Hospital, one of Welcare Clinic Ibn Battuta’s sister facilities where he manages internal medicine and critical care patients. Besides the treatment of high cholesterol, his special interests include cardiac and diabetes issues.

Welcare Clinic Ibn Batutta

Conveniently located in Ibn Batutta Mall (China Court), Welcare Clinic Ibn Battuta (WCIB) is an ultra-modern, 15,000 square feet, fully equipped multi-speciailty clinic.

Opened in October 2010, WCIB offers expertise in a wide range of medical specialities including:

Internal medicine Dermatology GP Services
General surgery Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT)
Dentistry Ophthalmology
Obstetrics & gynaecology Orthopaedics
Paediatrics Physiotherapy

The clinic also offers support services including its own clinical laboratory and radiology unit, procedure and observation rooms and X-Ray and ultrasound facilities.

Clinic timings – 8.00am to 10.30pm
Tel – 04 440 9000


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