KBS Mysteries of the Human Body, September 30 at 10 PM: Even with LDL at 130, Treatment Standards Differ

Episode 1010 of Mysteries of the Human Body>

Vascular Warning: Lower Your Cholesterol

One eye went blind, but the problem was the 'cerebral blood vessel'?! Vascular cholesterol, what are the danger signals?

Broadcast: Wednesday, September 30, 2026, at 10 PM on KBS 1TV

Even with the same LDL cholesterol level, the target values to manage vary depending on age, underlying diseases, and vascular condition. To protect your vessels, we investigate how low LDL cholesterol needs to be lowered, and look into cholesterol's danger levels and atherosclerosis, which narrows blood vessels without distinct symptoms. On September 30, 2026, KBS 1TV’s ‘Mysteries of the Human Body’ will examine the danger signals sent by blood vessels and cover the different cholesterol management standards for each person.

Sudden chest pain, a warning sent by the blood vessels

Choi Hong-seok (57 years old) did not take his medication properly even after being told his cholesterol levels were high during a health checkup 7 to 8 years ago. Then one day, he visited the hospital because he felt shortness of breath and a squeezing chest pain every time he walked. As a result of the examination, a problem was discovered in the coronary arteries that send blood to the heart.

The result of measuring the pressure in the narrowed blood vessel was 0.44. This was significantly lower than the standard of 0.80. It was a state where heart function could deteriorate if left untreated, and he eventually underwent a stent procedure. Cholesterol, which he thought was not a big deal because there were no particular symptoms. We look into what was happening in his blood vessels during that time.

Sudden loss of vision in one eye, the problem was the neck blood vessel

Gu Jeong-chun (65 years old) suddenly could not see clearly out of his right eye one day. He visited the hospital because the vision would return after 10 to 20 minutes, but the problem was not the eye, but the 'blood vessels'. As a result of the examination, the right carotid artery that sends blood to the brain was more than 95% narrowed and was almost on the verge of being blocked.

Medical staff judged the symptom of sudden loss of vision in one eye as a danger signal that could soon cause a stroke. Eventually, he underwent a stent procedure to widen the narrowed carotid artery. From chest pain to sudden vision loss. What kind of signals do blood vessels narrowed by atherosclerosis send to our bodies?

LDL 130, is the standard the same for everyone?

Kim Seong-sik (68 years old), who has been managing his health by walking steadily and reducing his food intake, thought he was more confident in his health than anyone else. However, the health checkup results were unexpected. Severe atherosclerosis was discovered in the coronary arteries, and the coronary artery calcium score was 814. Kim Seong-sik's LDL cholesterol level was 130mg/dL. Generally, if a person has no diseases, they can first attempt exercise and dietary control, but he, who already had significant progression of atherosclerosis in the coronary arteries, was different. The medical staff judged that drug treatment was necessary.

Even with the same LDL cholesterol level, treatment standards can differ depending on the condition of the blood vessels. We then investigate how to determine the LDL cholesterol target that is right for you.

The target is 55, how low should it be lowered?

Lee Hyang-ok (72 years old) has been steadily managing her health after receiving a stent procedure for a myocardial infarction 10 years ago. Although she has continued exercising for over 10 years and has paid attention to her diet, her LDL cholesterol rose to 97mg/dL. For her, who had already experienced cardiovascular disease, the target was below 55mg/dL. Since it was difficult to lower it to the target level with oral medication alone, she started ezetimibe injection therapy. Afterward, her LDL cholesterol was lowered to 13mg/dL.

Cholesterol treatment methods are diversifying, from oral medications like statins to injections. However, what is as important as treatment is steady management. Along with drug treatment, risk factors for blood vessels, such as smoking cessation, diet, and exercise, must be continuously managed.

On Wednesday, September 30, 2026, at 10 PM, KBS 1TV’s ‘Mysteries of the Human Body’ will check the dangers of cholesterol that threaten vascular health and the correct management methods that vary by person.

(Photo provided = KBS 1TV ‘Mysteries of the Human Body’)

◆ At a glance

· Publishing Institution : KBS

· Category : Mysteries of the Human Body

· Distribution : September 30, 07:31

Source : KBS Press Release

Special Times is striving to deliver faster and more diverse news to readers with the help of AI technology.