EFFECT OF CHOLESTEROL LEVEL ON PLATELET AGGREGABILITY IN NORMAL INDIVIDUALS

Objective: The aim of present study was to find the effect of cholesterol level on platelet aggregability in normal individuals. Methodology: This study was conducted in Cardiology department, Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar in September- October 2007. Normal individuals aged 18 years or above were randomly included. Patients who were suffering from any cardiovascular or other diseases were excluded. Those who were taking ante-platelets, anti coagulants and lipid lowering drugs were also excluded. Thus a total of 101 individuals were examined, after taking informed written consent. Fasting blood samples were taken from each patient. Total cholesterol was measured in hospital laboratory, while platelet aggregation was measured with chronolog whole-blood platelet aggregometer (WBA). Results: A total of 101 patients were examined. Their mean age was 51.24 ± 8.23 years. Male were 60(59.41%) and female were 41(40.59%). Mean platelet aggregability of these individuals was 7.87 ± 4.40 ohms. Mean cholesterol was 163.47 ± 20.75 mg/dl. When age was correlated with aggregability, both had a weak negative correlation. Pearson correlation coefficient was -.018 (p=0.855). When age was correlated with cholesterol, again both have a weak negative correlation. Pearson correlation coefficient was -.152 (p=0.129). When aggregability was correlated with cholesterol, both have a significant positive correlation. Pearson correlation coefficient was +0.269 (p=0.006) Conclusion: Platelet aggregability is increased in patients with high cholesterol. These patients may need higher doses of anti platelets and more aggressive treatment of lipids to avoid vascular events.