HPA: One in five Maldivians screened this year has high cholesterol

A total of 37,038 people have been screened for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) as of September this year, of whom 21.2 percent were found to have high cholesterol, the Health Protection Agency (HPA) said on Tuesday.

In a statement issued to mark World Heart Day, HPA said cardiovascular disease remains one of the leading non-communicable diseases globally. NCDs are also widespread in the Maldives, accounting for 84 percent of all deaths.

According to the 2020-2021 national survey, 4.7 percent of Maldivians aged 15 to 65 have heart disease, stroke or angina.

HPA said that among those screened this year, 10.4 percent had diabetes and 18 percent had high blood pressure. The agency noted that high blood pressure is often asymptomatic and can cause serious damage to the heart and brain.

This World Heart Day, Don’t Miss a Beat. ❤️

Take simple steps to care for your heart by staying active, eating healthy, managing stress and keeping up with regular health check-ups.

Every positive choice you make today can contribute to a healthier heart and a healthier… pic.twitter.com/rfXjHhLRQk

— Health Protection Agency (@HPA_MV) September 29, 2026

Heart disease is the leading cause of death worldwide. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 19.8 million people died from heart disease in 2022, while the World Heart Federation places the figure at more than 20.5 million.

HPA also shared several recommendations for maintaining heart health, including:

• sleeping well  

• increasing physical activity and exercise  

• adopting healthy eating habits  

• avoiding smoking and vaping  

• staying proactive about health and getting tested regularly  

With a population of around 500,000, the Maldives’ dispersed geography poses challenges in accessing emergency healthcare. HPA stressed that preventive measures are therefore crucial to reducing the risk of severe illness.