ASCVD | Novartis Egypt

Hypercholesterolemia, or rather elevated LDL cholesterol (LDL-c), is one of the main risk factors for cardiovascular diseases such as heart attacks, strokes or peripheral arterial disease. A variety of causes and a wide range of drug and non-drug treatment options make hypercholesterolemia a complex and interesting health domain that is constantly evolving.¹

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What types of cholesterol are there?

There are 2 different types of cholesterol in your blood: HDL-c and LDL-c.¹
The lower you can get—and keep—your LDL-C, the better. High bad cholesterol can make your heart disease worse, so it’s essential to keep it under control.¹
Consistently high levels of LDL-C lead to plaque buildup, which can increase your risk of heart disease, heart attack, and stroke.¹

What causes high LDL-C?

There are many things that can cause high LDL-C. Some of these things you can control, and some you can’t.

Some common causes of high LDL-C include:²

Smoking

Obesity

Family history

High-fat foods

Inactivity

How does ASCVD relate to bad cholesterol?

ASCVD is a common type of heart disease. It is caused by consistent high levels of LDL-C in the blood that can lead to the buildup of plaque in your arteries. ASCVD can also lead to the need for revascularization (a procedure that improves blood flow), such as stent insertion.³
ASCVD can put you at an increased risk of the following:³

Heart attack

Stroke

Blockages within arteries

If you have ASCVD, it's important to lower your bad cholesterol.³
While ASCVD can be challenging on its own, the following conditions can increase bad cholesterol levels:⁴

Diabetes
Chronic kidney disease
HIV/AIDS
Lupus
Hypothyroidism

Diet, exercise, and a statin can help, but for some people, it may not be enough. It’s not you, it’s your LDL-C.³

EDA Approval No: WF0424OA5708/042026 EDA Invalidation Date:06/04/2027

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). LDL and HDL Cholesterol and Triglycerides. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/cholesterol/about/ldl-and-hdl-cholesterol-and-triglycerides.html . Last accessed: 14/09/2025.
American Heart Association (AHS). Causes of High Cholesterol. Available at: https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/cholesterol/causes-of-high-cholesterol . Last accessed: 14/09/2025.
Cleveland clinic. Atherosclerosis: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment. Available at: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/16753-atherosclerosis-arterial-disease . Last accessed: 14/09/2025.
De Ferranti SD, Steinberger J, Ameduri R, Baker A, Gooding H, Kelly AS, Mietus-Snyder M, Mitsnefes MM, Peterson AL, St-Pierre J, Urbina EM. Cardiovascular risk reduction in high-risk pediatric patients: a scientific statement from the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2019 Mar 26;139(13):e603-34.