OWC Health Awareness Series: Cholesterol & Heart Health Awareness and Action

OWC Health Awareness Series: Cholesterol & Heart Health Awareness and Action

Check your local screening options today, take part in the #OWCHeartHealthy challenge, and let’s protect our hearts together!

World Heart Day this year takes place on September 29, and September is also Cholesterol Education Month. We are therefore promoting Cholesterol & Heart Health Awareness, the second September topic in One World Cover’s refreshed Health Awareness Series.

According to the WHO, “one in five people will die early from cardiovascular disease (CVD), which claims more lives than cancer and chronic respiratory diseases combined. Yet, up to 80% of heart disease and stroke cases are preventable. World Heart Day helps “raise awareness of CVD and the importance of taking care of your heart”. 2025 marks the 25th anniversary of World Heart Day.

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Understanding the Impact

• Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of death globally. According to the WHO, an estimated 19.8 million people died from CVDs in 2022, representing approximately 32% of all global deaths.
• High cholesterol is a major risk factor for CVD, contributing to blocked arteries, heart attacks, and strokes. Alarmingly, nearly half of heart attack and stroke survivors don’t even know the difference between “good” (HDL) and “bad” (LDL) cholesterol.
• Most cardiovascular diseases are preventable. The WHO highlights that addressing behavioural and environmental risk factors such as tobacco use, unhealthy diet, obesity, physical inactivity, harmful use of alcohol, and air pollution can prevent the majority of CVD cases.
• Early detection is critical. Identifying CVD or high cholesterol early allows for management with lifestyle changes, counselling, and medication – all of which reduce the risk of severe outcomes.
• Globally mobile employees and expats often juggle stressful roles, frequent travel, and dietary changes. Without preventive care, these lifestyle factors can amplify the risk of CVD.

💡What is cardiovascular disease (CVD)? Cardiovascular diseases are a group of disorders of the heart and blood vessels, including:

• Coronary heart disease: narrowing or blockage of arteries supplying the heart.
• Cerebrovascular disease: narrowing or blockage of arteries supplying the brain.
• Deep vein thrombosis/pulmonary embolism: blood clots in leg veins, which can dislodge and move to the heart and lungs.

Heart attacks and strokes are usually acute events caused by a blockage that prevents blood flow to the heart or brain.

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What You Can Do

• Know your risk and timing:
  • Ages 20 to 39: Healthy adults should consider testing every 4–6 years if risk remains low.
  • Ages 40 to 75: Screening may be needed more frequently, such as every 1–2 years depending on risk factors like family history, blood pressure, or diabetes.
  • Over 65: Annual cholesterol tests may be recommended due to elevated CVD risk.
• Use an individualized approach:
  • Talk to your healthcare provider about your 10-year CVD risk, considering age, sex, smoking, blood pressure, and family history.
  • Those with elevated cholesterol or on lipid-lowering medication should schedule follow-up tests every 3–12 months to monitor treatment effectiveness.
• Consider a formal risk assessment: A CVD risk assessment can help you gauge your overall 10-year heart attack or stroke risk and help guide how intensively you should manage cholesterol.
• Adopt heart-healthy lifestyle habits:
  • Follow a heart-smart diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats; limit saturated fats and processed foods.
  • Aim for 150 minutes of moderate activity per week – such as brisk walking, swimming, or cycling.
  • Quit smoking and limit alcohol – both elevate CVD risk significantly.
• Follow medical advice when necessary: If prescribed, take cholesterol-lowering medications (like statins) as directed. Regular monitoring helps ensure they work as intended.

💡What are statins? Statins are one of the most commonly prescribed medications for lowering cholesterol. They work by reducing the body’s production of “bad” (LDL) cholesterol, helping to prevent blocked arteries, heart attacks, and strokes. Statins don’t replace healthy habits like good diet and exercise – but when used together, they can dramatically cut cardiovascular risk. READ MORE >> The Scoop on Statins: What Do You Need to Know?

READ MORE >> Understanding Your Blood Test Results: A Guide for Expats Navigating Health Check-Ups Abroad

READ MORE >> Is an Exercise Stress Test (EST) Really Necessary in Your Annual Check-Up? A Guide for Expats and Employers

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How the Community Can Support and Amplify Awareness

• Host workplace screenings: Offer cholesterol and blood pressure checks during September to encourage staff to “know their numbers.”
• Mark World Heart Day (September 29): Celebrate with a “Wear Red” campaign, organize wellness walks, or host a heart-healthy cooking demo.
• Share practical resources: Distribute posters, infographics, and fact sheets in newsletters, intranets, and staff chat groups. Toolkit resources are readily available online – see ‘Resources’ below.
• Promote peer encouragement: Create heart-health challenges (such as “take the stairs week”) or encourage staff to share personal health goals and progress stories.

💡What are healthy cholesterol numbers?

Measure	Healthy Range	Borderline	High / Risk
Total Cholesterol	< 200 mg/dL (5.2 mmol/L)	200–239 mg/dL (5.2–6.2 mmol/L)	≥ 240 mg/dL (≥ 6.2 mmol/L)
LDL Cholesterol (“Bad”)	< 100 mg/dL (2.6 mmol/L)	130–159 mg/dL (3.4–4.1 mmol/L)	≥ 160 mg/dL (≥ 4.1 mmol/L)
HDL Cholesterol (“Good”)	≥ 60 mg/dL (1.6 mmol/L)	40–59 mg/dL (1.0–1.5 mmol/L)	Male: <40 mg/dL (1.0 mmol/L) / Female: <50 mg/dL (1.3 mmol/L)
Triglycerides	< 150 mg/dL (1.7 mmol/L)	150–199 mg/dL (1.7–2.2 mmol/L)	≥ 200 mg/dL (≥ 2.3 mmol/L)

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Resources: Employee Toolkits/Educational Materials

World Heart Federation World Heart Day Resources >>

World Heart Federation Understanding CVD >>

Heart UK National Cholesterol Month Resources>>

CDC Cholesterol Education Toolkit >>

CDC Cholesterol Myths and Facts >>

American Heart Association Cholesterol Tools and Resources >>

Resources: One World Cover Cholesterol Education Poster

VIEW/DOWNLOAD POSTER HERE>>

# Common social medical hashtags for cholesterol and heart health awareness

#NationalCholesterolMonth #CholesterolAwareness #WorldHeartDay #HeartHealth #KnowYourNumbers #CardiovascularHealth

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Why Cholesterol & Heart Health Awareness Matters for Employers

Cardiovascular treatments – including heart surgery, stents, and long-term medication – are consistently among the highest-cost claims under international health insurance plans. Employers who promote cholesterol awareness and heart-healthy lifestyles not only help prevent avoidable illness but also reduce catastrophic claims and protect workplace productivity.

For organizations with expat staff, September is an opportunity to take part in global awareness efforts, encourage early detection, and show employees that their wellbeing is a top priority.

READ MORE >> READ MORE >> Why Annual Health Check-Ups Should Be a Must-Have for Your Team

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Cholesterol Tests and Heart Health Screening Packages

Where possible we have included links to specific cholesterol tests (sometimes known as “lipid profile”), CVD risk assessments or heart/cardio screening packages (lower cost). We have included links to more comprehensive health check-up packages (more expensive) which always include a cholesterol test, and an ECG, and nearly always include a CVD risk assessment. Please note that all of these screening packages and tests will typically be covered under an international health insurance plan’s wellness benefit (often ~USD500).

Mainland China

Beijing Hong Kong International Medical Center Cardiac Screening CNY2,500 (~USD350)

Beijing New Century Riverville Clinic Cardiac Screening CNY1,596 (~USD225)

Beijing Raffles Medical Cardiac Screening CNY899 (~USD125)

Chengdu BOE Hospital Cardiac Screening CNY2,499 (~USD350)

Chengdu Leo Clinic Cardiac Screening CNY2,212 (~USD310)

Guangzhou EurAm Medical Center Cardiac Screening CNY980 (~USD135)

Guangzhou Forsea General Hospital Cardiac Screening CNY1,400 (~USD200)

Hangzhou Jiahui Clinic Cardiac Screening CNY2,080 (~USD290)

Nanjing Global Doctor Cardiac Screening CNY480-2,480 (~USD68-350)

Nanjing Guze Clinic Cardiac Screening CNY1,197 (~USD168)

Qingdao New Century Hospital Cardiac Screening CNY2,580 (~USD360)

Shanghai DeltaHealth Cardiac Screening CNY998 (~USD140)

Hong Kong

Gleneagles Wong Chuk Hang Cardivascular Health Screening Package HKD3,060 (~USD393)

HK Asia Heart Centre Comprehensive Cardiac Health Check-up HKD3,580 (~USD460)

Taiwan

Taiwan Advendist Hospital Health Check-up TWD4,800 (~USD159)

Korea

Severance Hospital Basic Health Screening (KRW747,500-805,000) (~USD535-575)

Thailand

Samitivej Hospital Basic Check-up THB3,500 (~USD110)

Bangkok Heart Hospital Heart Ready Check THB4,000 (~USD125)

Bangkok Heart Hospital CT Coronary Calcium Score THB5,200 (~USD163)

Bangkok Heart Hospital Superior Heart Screening EST THB8,900 (~USD278)

Vejthani International Hospital Cardiac Screening Package THB5,200 (~USD160)

Vietnam

FV Hospital Ho Chi Minh City Cardiac Screening Packages VND16,000,000 (~USD600)

Myanmar

Grand Hantha International Hospital Cardiac Risk Assessment Packages MMK370,000 (~USD175)

Aryu International Hospital Healthy Heart Package MMK380,000 (~USD180)

Singapore

Raffles Heart Centre Healthy Heart Screening SGD389 (~USD300)

Parkway Shenton Basic Lite Health (Cholesterol) Screening SGD38 (~USD30)

Cadence Heart Centre Ace Heart Screening SGD388 (~USD300)

Malaysia

Columbia Asia Hospital Cardiac Screening Package MYR300 (~USD70)

Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur Cardiac Screening Package MYR888 (~USD210)

Prince Court Medical Centre Cardiac Screening Package MYR988 (~USD235)

Brunei

Gleneagles JPMC Cardiac Health Screening BND438 (~USD312)

Indonesia

EMC Pekayon Hospital Healthy Heart Package IDR1,320,000 (~USD68)

Surabaya Ciputra Hospital Cardiac Screening IDR699,000-9,500,000 (~USD45-580)

National Surabaya Hospital Calcium Score Package IDR599,000 (~USD36)

India

Apollo Hospitals Delhi Apollo ProHealth Heart Screening INR8,300 (~USD95)

Fortis Escorts Heart Institute Delhi Heart Check-up INR10,700 (~USD120)

Medanta Gurugram Cardiac Health Package INR2,499 (~USD30)

Apollo Hospitals Mumbai Apollo ProHealth Heart Screening INR14,850 (~USD170)

Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital Mumbai INR20,550 (~USD235)

Fortis Hospital Mumbai Comprehensive Heart Check-up INR4,800 (~USD55)

Sri Lanka

Asiri Central Hospital Lifeline Wellness Centre Packages

Durdans Hospital Heart Screening Package LKR14,000 (~USD46)

Bangladesh

Evercare Hospital Dhaka Female Heart Check BDT19,500 (~USD160)

Evercare Hospital Dhaka Male Heart Check BDT19,500 (~USD160)

Nepal

National Cardiac Centre Cardiac and General Health Package NPR7,700 (~USD54)

Hams Hospital Heart Screening Package NPR13,000 (~USD92)

UAE

CMC Dubai Heart Check-up Package AED1,950 (~USD530)

Emirates Hospital Heart Check-up Package AED2,000 (~USD545)

Medcare Hospitals and Clinics Cardiac Health Check-up Package AED999 (~USD270)

Saudi Arabia

Saudi German Hospital Jeddah Cardiac Screening SAR300 (~USD80)

Saudi German Hospital Riyadh Cardiology Check-up SAR599 (~USD160)

Qatar

Al-Hayat Medical Center Laboratory Packages

Tawadi Medical Center ECG/EKG

Jordan

Amman Hospital Hypertension Management Package

Israel

Ichilov (Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center) Executive Health Program

Turkey

Liv Hospital Heart Health Check-up

** Important Note: While we help guide members to high-quality options, OWC Care does not act as a medical referral service. The final decision on where to seek care rests with the individual. We are not liable for any decisions made by the member or the medical provider.

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Heart Healthy Challenge Prize Draw – Terms and Conditions

• How to enter: Share a photo of yourself doing something healthy on One World Cover’s LinkedIn or Facebook page or post, follow our account and add the hashtag #OWCHeartHealthy
• When: Entries are open now and close October 8, 2025.
• Limit: One entry per person.
• Prize: Wearable fitness tracker. No cash alternative.
• Winner: Random draw; winner notified within 7 days of the closing date. Winner will be contacted via the channel used to enter (or email) and must respond within 7 days. If not, One World Cover may select an alternate winner.
• Privacy & consent: By entering, you confirm you own the photo and consent to One World Cover (and your employer) using your entry for internal wellness communications. Entries must be your original photo, feature only people who consent to appear, and contain no confidential, inappropriate, or unsafe content.
• Be safe: Choose activities appropriate for your health and follow local guidance. Consult a healthcare professional if unsure about any activity. One World Cover/your employer are not liable for injuries or losses arising from participation.
• Full Terms: See below.

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