In today's era, with the kind of lifestyle people lead, it has become very important for us to pay attention to the health of our heart. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of death worldwide. India also recorded about 4.77 million (47.7 lakh) deaths due to heart disease in 2020. Traditionally, heart disease was treated in a one-size-fits-all manner, without taking into account the individual needs of each individual. Now, experts believe that tackling heart disease through personalized care may be more effective.
LDL (also known as bad cholesterol) has a profound impact on heart health. High levels can cause plaque build-up in the arteries, increasing the risk of heart attack and other serious cardiovascular conditions. The Cardiological Society of India recently issued guidelines stating that the bad cholesterol target for each individual should be determined based on his or her risk profile. For example, for individuals who already have heart disease or diabetes, bad cholesterol levels should be less than 55 mg/dL.
expert opinion
Dr. Preeti Gupta, Professor, Safdarjung Hospital, Delhi, says that effective management of cholesterol requires treatment based on the individual needs of each patient. When treatment is individualized, patients recover faster and outcomes are better.
Key Elements of a Personal Heart Health Plan
This includes proper diet, regular exercise, and stress management, which can be tailored to the individual's condition.
Regular testing can monitor LDL levels and make changes to treatment from time to time.
In many cases, lifestyle changes alone are not enough. The correct dose and combination of medicines can also be decided under the individual plan.
It is important to have open conversations with your doctor so that treatment can be better understood and followed.