Patna: High cholesterol is the leading cause of atherosclerosis, a disease in which plaques build up in arteries causing cardiovascular diseases.

"High cholesterol problem is sometimes due to earlier family history but it can be managed through lifestyle changes. Adopt a low-fat diet, exercise regularly so as to maintain cholesterol level," said Delhi's BLK Hospital's head of the cardiology department, Dr Subhash Chandra during the second day of the 30th annual conference of Indian Society for Atherosclerosis Research organised at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna, on Friday.

The biochemistry department of the hospital hosted the three-day conference which started on Thursday.

Doctors and researchers from various countries, including the United States, the Netherlands and others are participating in the conference.

Delhi's Lady Hardinge Medical College medicine department professor Anuapam Prakash talked about chronotherapy treatment for hypertension patients.

AIIMS-Patna's neurosurgeon, K.K. Sharma spoke about when to take help of neuro surgeons in case of brain strokes.

Hamdard Institute of Medical Sciences and Research professor Aruna Nigam spoke about the relation of polycystic ovary syndrome with lifestyle and type of the gene. "Polycystic ovary syndrome affects women's ovaries, the reproductive organs that regulate the menstrual cycle. Women suffering from polycystic ovary syndrome might face problems in conceiving also. Lifestyle changes are the first step towards managing the syndrome," said Aruna.

California-based Dr Rajendra Tangirala spoke about improving the metabolism to control the atherosclerosis problem.

Earlier, while speaking on the occasion, head of the biochemistry department of AIIMS-Patna, Dr Sadhna Sharma said the Indian Society for Atherosclerosis Research was working on the management of atherosclerosis disease.

"The deliberations which would come out in this programme would further help in the treatment of atherosclerosis patients," she said.