Boys and men
Symptoms to be heeded: Severe shortness of breath on exertion, syncope on exertion and/or a crushing and burning chest pain on exertion.

Do's: Exercise for at least 30 minutes on most days of the week. Maintain a healthy body mass index (BMI) of between 18.5 and 25. (Calculate your BMI by dividing your weight in kilogram by your height in metre2). Eat a balanced diet, focusing on lots of fruit and vegetables. Get into the habit of eating breakfast daily.

Don'ts: Smoking, junk food, drugs.

Necessary tests:

• Monitoring of your cholesterol level once and an annual cholesterol test if you have high cholesterol (more than 5 mmol/L) Consult a specialist if your cholesterol is higher than 7, 5 mmol/L.
• Have your blood sugar tested if there is a family history of diabetes.

Typical risks and dangers: Drugs.

Girls and women
Symptoms to be heeded: Problems are not expected now.

Do's: Exercise for at least 30 minutes on most days of the week. Maintain a healthy body mass index (BMI) of between 18.5 and 25. (Calculate your BMI by dividing your weight in kilogram by your height in metre2). Eat a balanced diet, focusing on lots of fruit and vegetables. Get into the habit of eating breakfast daily.

Don'ts: Smoking, junk food, drugs.

Necessary tests: As above. Since pregnancy increases cholesterol, it is not advised to do this test when pregnant.

Typical risks and dangers: Negligible, except for drug use.

BACK TO TOP