Cholesterol and real risk: more than a number

Seeing "high" cholesterol on a blood test leads many people to think straight away about statins. But a single number does not tell the whole story. In this video I explain why we treat the person and their overall cardiovascular risk — not an asterisk on a piece of paper —, why the same LDL does not mean the same thing in a young, healthy person as it does in someone with diabetes or a history of heart attack, and how tests such as ApoB or lipoprotein(a) help estimate your real risk. Diet, exercise and sleep remain your best defence, with or without medication.