What is high cholesterol?

We have all the cholesterol facts for you.

• High cholesterol is when you have too much of a fatty substance called cholesterol in your blood.
• It’s mainly caused by eating fatty food, not exercising enough, being overweight, smoking and drinking alcohol. It can also run in families.
• You can lower your cholesterol by eating healthily and getting more exercise. Some people also need to take medicine.
• Too much cholesterol can block your blood vessels. It makes you more likely to have heart problems or a stroke.

How do I know if I have high cholesterol?

High cholesterol does not cause symptoms so it’s difficult to actually know if you have it. The only way to find out is by having a blood test.

Your GP might suggest having a test if they think your cholesterol level could be high.

There are 2 ways of having a cholesterol test:

• Taking blood from your arm
• Finger prick test

How can I lower my cholesterol?

• Eat less fatty food
• Try to eat more:
  
  • Oily fish, like mackerel and salmon
  • Brown rice, bread and pasta
  • Nuts and seeds
  • Fruits and vegetables
• Try to eat less:
  
  • Meat pies, sausages and fatty meat
  • Butter, lard and ghee
  • Cream and hard cheese, like cheddar
  • Cakes and biscuits
  • Food that contains coconut oil or palm oil
• Exercise more:
  
  • Aim to do at least 150 (2.5 hours) of exercise a week
• Stop smoking
• Cut down on alcohol

Medicine to lower your cholesterol

You might need medicine to lower your cholesterol if:

• Your cholesterol level has not gone down after changing your diet and lifestyle
• You’re at a high risk of having a heart attack or stroke

Statins are the most common medicine for high cholesterol, as they reduce the amount of cholesterol your body makes.