Did you know? Cardiovascular disease and cerebrovascular disease are some of the leading causes of death in Hong Kong. According to the Centre for Health Protection, they were ranked third and fourth respectively among the most common causes of death in 2023; and the number of deaths from cardiovascular disease has also been rising for the last six years.

Care For Your Heart, a heart disease patient advocacy group, has released findings from its latest survey looking into the awareness of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels among Hong Kong residents, ahead of World Heart Day on 29 September. The findings revealed that over half of Hongkongers with previously-diagnosed elevated LDL-C are unaware of their current LDL-C levels, with the same proportion not knowing the target levels their doctors had set for them, highlighting the general lack of attention patients pay to monitoring their LDL-C levels. The survey also revealed widespread misconceptions about LDL-C diagnosis and control, and low engagement in patients when it comes to deciding the treatment option, which impacts LDL-C control and elevates the risk of cardiovascular disease. Cholesterol management is essential and the newly released e-book, ‘Controlling Cholesterol and Protecting Your Heart’ can be found on Care for Your Heart’s website