Heart and vascular diseases continue to be a significant cause of mortality in Estonia, affecting both men and women, but many individuals are unaware of the critical role cholesterol levels play in this situation. Increased cholesterol often goes unnoticed as it may not present any symptoms, yet it can damage blood vessels for years without detection. Recent statistics from Synlab indicate that a growing number of women, including those who consider themselves healthy and fit, are impacted by high cholesterol levels.

In the previous year, 58% of cholesterol test results for women were above normal, reflecting a slight decrease from 63% in 2022. According to Dr. Anneli-Raave Sepp, a laboratory doctor at Synlab, it is encouraging that awareness campaigns have contributed to a gradual decline in this statistic over the years. However, the figures remain significant, indicating that high cholesterol is still a prevalent issue among women in Estonia.

Dr. Sepp emphasizes that women are often unaware of their cholesterol levels, which can silently affect their health and lead to serious conditions such as heart attacks. The data draw attention to the need for enhanced public awareness and preventive measures, especially targeting women who may overlook heart health due to their self-perception of being fit and healthy.