Cholesterol doesn’t cause pain or any noticeable symptoms—and that’s exactly why it’s so insidious: Over the course of years, high cholesterol levels can damage blood vessels without you even realizing it. The Ö1 radio series “Dimensions” devoted an episode to this topic titled “Cholesterol: The ‘Silent Killer’”—and explored how modern medicine can help combat it. Joining us: Associate Professor, Priv.-Doz., Dr. Konstantin Krychtiuk, PhD, FESC, a cardiologist at our Co-Ordination Medical Center.
What is the show about?
Cholesterol is actually an essential building block that the body produces on its own. It only becomes a problem when too much of it circulates in the blood—at which point it builds up in the artery walls and increases the risk of heart attack and stroke.
The program shows that treatment options today go far beyond traditional pills. In addition to established medications, injection therapies are now also being used that specifically target cholesterol metabolism and help the body break down more harmful blood lipids. Some of these modern medications need to be administered only a few times a year. And the research doesn’t stop there: scientists are working on gene therapy approaches that could potentially provide a permanent solution to the problem. When combined with a healthy lifestyle, these developments open up new ways to protect heart health in the long term.
