What is it about ?
Dyslipidemia is an abnormality in the level of fat in the blood. The main fats are cholesterol and triglycerides.
Too much fat in the blood increases the risk of damage to the blood vessels (arteriosclerosis or calcification of the arteries). Blood vessels can narrow and / or clog, which increases the risk of cardiovascular disease.
By “screening” is meant the systematic detection of risks, abnormalities or diseases in large populations. It is a preventive examination carried out with the aim of preventing a disease and / or detecting it at an early stage and taking action in a timely manner.
There is a difference between primary prevention and secondary prevention:
- primary prevention aims to prevent disease in healthy people;
- in secondary prevention, there is already a disease, but we want to prevent further damage.
Who should take the screening test?
First, the screening test is done in people who have a significantly higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
These are mainly the following groups:
- people with suspected high cholesterol because of their heredity. These are most often families (children, brothers and sisters) in which cardiovascular disease often occurs at a young age, namely in men under 55 and in women under 65. Young people with cholesterol levels above 300 mg per deciliter and their close relatives also belong to this group.
- people who already have a heart disease, hereditary or not.
- people with diabetes.
Then the target group is widened to the part of the population which also has other risk factors. We mainly think of overweight people, smokers, people with hypertension and family members of people with cardiovascular disease. As this is primary prevention, the focus will be on healthy eating, exercise and good lifestyle habits rather than on medical management.
What exactly is the screening about?
The general practitioner will determine the overall cardiovascular risk in all patients between the ages of 40 and 75. To do this, he researches the various risk factors (blood pressure, smoking, cardiovascular diseases in family members, etc.).
Then blood tests are done to determine the level of total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol) and LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol), triglycerides and, from the age of 65, the blood sugar level.
Depending on the cardiovascular risk obtained, and more precisely the risk of dying from cardiovascular disease, the doctor determines the frequency of examinations. In people at low risk, a reassessment and blood test will be done every three to four years. People at moderate risk will be monitored annually. A personalized care plan is offered to people at high risk (diabetes, history of cardiovascular disease, presence of several risk factors, etc.).
Want to know more?
- Eating and gaining years of life is possible! (video) – CSS – Superior Health Council
- The food pyramid – Eat Move – Health Question
- Eat better – Christian mutuality
- ‘Good’ and ‘bad’ fats in our diet – Christian Mutuality
- Nutri-Score – SPF Public health, food chain safety and the environment
Are you looking for more specialized help?
- Smoking Assistance Center (CAF®) – FARES – Respiratory Affections Fund
- Tobacco specialists – FARES – Respiratory Affections Fund
- Find a registered dietitian – Professional Union of French-speaking dieticians
- Find a nutritionist doctor – Belgian Society of Nutritionist Doctors
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