High cholesterol has no symptoms. It silently damages arteries for years before causing a heart attack or stroke. Nigeria's changing diet — more processed food, more saturated fat — is driving an epidemic of dyslipidaemia. A fasting lipid profile at Mascot Healthcare takes one blood draw and costs from ₦5,000.
A fasting lipid profile measures: Total cholesterol; LDL cholesterol ('bad' — the primary atherogenic particle); HDL cholesterol ('good' — protective); Triglycerides; and the Total:HDL ratio (the most important cardiovascular risk indicator).
High LDL cholesterol is caused by diet (saturated and trans fats), genetic familial hypercholesterolaemia, hypothyroidism, diabetes, kidney disease, and obesity. Treatment depends on the absolute level and the calculated 10-year cardiovascular risk — statins (atorvastatin, rosuvastatin) are the most effective and evidence-based medications, reducing cardiovascular events by 25–35%.
Everyone over 35 — including those who feel completely well. Additionally: anyone with hypertension, diabetes, obesity, a family history of early heart disease, or a history of smoking. People with clinical signs of dyslipidaemia (xanthelasmas — yellow deposits around the eyelids, tendon xanthomas, or corneal arcus before age 50).
One blood draw, complete cardiovascular picture.
Fast for 10–12 hours and walk in to Mascot Healthcare, Akoka. From ₦5,000.