Residents of the Western Cape town of Villiersdorp have shown that cholesterol levels can be lowered by an intensive lifestyle makeover.
About 2000 townspeople took part in a 21-day health programme in a quest for healthy hearts.
Margarine manufacturer Flora launched the Real People, Real Results programme in the town three weeks ago.
The programme includes heart-conditioning classes, walks, demonstrations of healthy cooking, counselling on nutrition - and dancing.
Residents were tested at the beginning of the programme and reassessed by registered nurses at the end.
Ninety-six percent were found to have lowered cholesterol levels.
"Of the 2000 Villiersdorp residents who had their cholesterol checked, 30% discovered they were in the high-risk category [and] 41% of those tested high had not had their levels checked before," said Susan Stringer, the margarine brand's marketing director.
Of the people at high risk , only 6% were aware that their increased susceptibility to cholesterol-related disease was linked to family medical history .
More than 80% had children to whom it was likely they had passed on the gene that predisposes to high cholesterol.
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