For years, cholesterol was the buzzword in health circles. This fatty substance in the body received plenty of media attention, with the focus on how to prevent its buildup in the arteries. There were debates over butter, santan (coconut milk), and eggs, while a type of cholesterol-lowering medication known as statins became part of the public’s vocabulary. Despite all this attention, however, high cholesterol levels and heart disease are still major health problems among Malaysians. Why do we seem to be getting nowhere in reducing the burden of cholesterol, and what are some recent advancements in treating high cholesterol? We speak to consultant cardiologist Datuk Dr Tamil Selvan Muthusamy to find out more.

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