Understanding your cholesterol test results is essential for preventing heart disease

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OPINION

By Florence Nambaziira Muzaale

Heart disease continues to claim lives silently in Uganda and around the world—yet many cases can be prevented. One simple place to start is by testing for cholesterol levels and understanding your test results.

Cholesterol is a fatty substance in the blood that the body needs to build cells and produce hormones. The problem arises when the levels become unhealthy. A lipid profile, commonly known as a cholesterol test, gives you three key values:

• LDL (Low-Density Lipoprotein) – often called the “bad” cholesterol because high levels can block blood vessels.
• HDL (High-Density Lipoprotein) – the “good” cholesterol that helps remove excess fats from the bloodstream.
• Total cholesterol – the overall amount of cholesterol in your blood.

The balance between LDL and HDL matters more than the total number. When LDL levels are high, fatty deposits build up in the arteries, restricting blood flow. Over time, this can lead to a cascade of events from high blood pressure, chest pain to heart attacks.

This is not a distant problem. According to the Ministry of Health’s 2023/24 Annual Health Sector Performance Report, cardiovascular diseases account for nearly 10% of all deaths in Uganda, with elevated cholesterol affecting 9% of women and 4% of men. Globally, the World Health Organisation estimates that millions of deaths each year are linked to unhealthy cholesterol levels.

The encouraging news is that cholesterol can be improved. If your test shows high LDL or low HDL, lifestyle changes can make a big difference. Eating a heart-healthy diet, exercising regularly, quitting smoking, and reducing alcohol intake help lower LDL and boost HDL. In some cases, your healthcare provider may recommend medication.

Think of the laboratory as your early-warning partner and take a blood test. Routine cholesterol checks reveal hidden risks long before symptoms appear. Each result is not just a number—it is information you can act on to protect your heart.

The first step to prevention is awareness. And that awareness begins with you taking a cholesterol blood test at your nearest health facility.

The writer is a Laboratory Leadership Fellow with the Uganda Public Health Fellowship Program, Ministry of Health. The views expressed are personal and do not represent the Ministry of Health or its partners.