High Cholesterol

What is cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a fatty substance that your body needs to work properly. But when you have too much cholesterol in your blood, it's called high cholesterol. This can cause problems for your heart and blood vessels.

Think of cholesterol like butter in a pipe. A little bit is fine, but too much can block things up.

Who gets high cholesterol?

You're more likely to have high cholesterol if you:

• Are over 50 years old
• Are a man
• Have been through the menopause
• Are of South Asian or sub-Saharan African background
• Have family members with high cholesterol

What causes high cholesterol?

Several things can make your cholesterol levels go up:

• Eating too much fatty food (like takeaways, cakes, and biscuits)
• Not doing enough exercise
• Being overweight
• Smoking
• Drinking too much alcohol

Some people have high cholesterol because it runs in their family. This is called inherited high cholesterol, and it can happen even in young, healthy people.

Why is high cholesterol a problem?

High cholesterol is often called a "silent killer" because it doesn't usually cause any symptoms. You can feel completely fine but still have dangerously high levels.

Over time, too much cholesterol can:

• Block your blood vessels
• Make you more likely to have a heart attack
• Increase your risk of having a stroke

This is why it's important to get tested regularly, even if you feel well.

How do you find out if you have high cholesterol?

The only way to know if you have high cholesterol is through a blood test. Your GP can arrange this for you.

You should speak to your GP about getting tested if:

• You're over 40 years old
• You have family members with high cholesterol or heart disease
• You're worried about your cholesterol levels

How can you lower your cholesterol?

The good news is that you can often lower your cholesterol by making changes to your lifestyle:

Eat better:

• Choose lean meats and fish
• Eat more fruits and vegetables
• Pick wholemeal bread and cereals
• Use less butter and choose healthier oils
• Cut down on cakes, biscuits, and takeaways

Move more:

• Try to do at least 150 minutes of exercise each week
• This could be brisk walking, swimming, or cycling
• Even small changes help, like taking the stairs instead of the lift

Make other healthy choices:

• Stop smoking if you smoke
• Drink less alcohol
• Try to maintain a healthy weight

When might you need medicine?

Sometimes, eating well and exercising aren't enough to bring cholesterol down to safe levels. If this happens, your GP might suggest taking medicine to help lower your cholesterol.

There are different types of cholesterol medicines available. Your GP will explain which one might be right for you and discuss any side effects.

When to see your GP

Speak to your GP if:

• You want to check your cholesterol levels
• You have family members with heart disease or high cholesterol
• You're concerned about your heart health

Remember, high cholesterol usually has no symptoms, so regular check-ups are important for staying healthy.

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Based on NHS.uk guidance. Written by Dr Krishnan Pasupathi, NHS GP.