Charity warns of cholesterol 'time bomb'

URGENT action is needed to tackle high cholesterol levels in Scotland, a report warns.

The charity Heart UK said that high cholesterol was a major risk-factor for stroke and heart disease, which cost the Scottish economy more than £1.8 billion a year - a burden that is set to worsen as the population ages.

The charity's report calls for a review of NHS cholesterol-lowering targets, which it said only drove the NHS to achieve a minimum standard of care.

Michael Livingston, the Heart UK director, said: "If Scotland and the rest of the UK are to avoid a demographic time bomb and maintain the welfare state, we need to tackle the issue of high cholesterol levels."

Shona Robison, the public health minister, is speaking at the launch of the report in the Scottish Parliament today.

Source: http://news.scotsman.com/scotland.cfm?id=1767322007