Hypercholesterolemia, this silent scourge, is creeping up in Senegal, driven by lifestyle changes such as a high-fat diet, a sedentary lifestyle, and a lack of screening. As of August 12, 2025, its consequences—heart attacks, strokes, and high blood pressure—are causing increasing concern, particularly in urban areas. In this interview with Seneweb, cardiologist Dr. Oumou Kébé Bah deciphers this growing phenomenon and calls for urgent awareness.

What is high cholesterol?

“Cholesterol isn’t bad in itself,” explains Dr. Oumou Kébé Bah. “It’s naturally produced by the body because it’s essential for making hormones, cell membranes, and vitamin D. The problem arises with excess cholesterol, particularly “bad cholesterol” (LDL), which builds up on arterial walls and eventually clogs them. In contrast, “good cholesterol” (HDL) acts as a cleaner, transporting excess cholesterol back to the liver.” This delicate balance is often disrupted by our lifestyle.

A disease that doesn't give warning then?

Hypercholesterolemia is insidious: it presents no symptoms for years, and can be discovered suddenly during a heart attack or stroke. The rare visible signs, such as small yellow spots around the eyes or fatty nodules under the skin, remain exceptional and are not enough to raise the alarm.

Diet, lifestyle but also genetics?

While modern eating habits are strongly blamed, genetics also plays a role. Some families produce excessive cholesterol, even in young, active people. However, according to the cardiologist, the current increase is linked to a radical transformation in our consumption. In the past, our meals were simple and local—millet, fish, Touba coffee—while today, croissants, processed cheeses, industrial juices, and sugary cereals dominate. We have adopted the Western dietary model, without adopting the prevention campaigns.

Damage to the heart and arteries?

Excess LDL promotes the formation of atheromatous plaques, which narrow and then clog arteries. This leads to cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and kidney failure. "It's not just a number on a test," insists Dr. Kébé Bah, "it's a major factor in mortality."

A worrying reality in Senegal, what are the data?

The figures speak for themselves: in urban areas, one in three adults suffers from a lipid disorder. In cardiology departments, more than half of hospitalized patients have high bad cholesterol. Postmenopausal women and young urban dwellers are increasingly affected.

Is prevention still the solution?

Yes, and the good news is that simple measures can reduce the risks. This involves returning to a local and less fatty cuisine – fruits, vegetables, local grains, fish – while limiting fried foods, fatty meats, and processed products; moving at least 30 minutes a day with walking, dancing, gardening, or sports; and having a lipid profile from the age of 30-35, especially if there is a family history. If the levels are too high, drug treatment, often for life, is prescribed, but always accompanied by a healthy lifestyle.

The doctor's advice...

Cholesterol is like a silent debt: we accumulate it without realizing it, and one day, we pay, sometimes with our lives. It's neither a disease reserved for the rich, nor inevitable. It's a warning, an opportunity to change before it's too late.