Cholesterol
Cholesterol is a fatty substance that circulates around the body via the bloodstream. It’s required for a number of processes, including building the structure of cell membranes, and producing hormones, Vitamin D, and bile acids. Cholesterol is made by your body and is also a by-product of your diet. About 75% of your cholesterol is produced in the liver, other organs and cells. The remaining 25% is influenced by your diet.
There are two types of cholesterol:
Low density lipoprotein (LDL) Also known as ‘bad’ cholesterol, high levels of LDL can clog up your arteries and lead to heart disease.
High density lipoprotein (HDL) Also known as ‘good’ cholesterol, HDL helps remove excess cholesterol from the cells, including in the arteries, and transport it back to the liver where it’s broken down.
Even though cholesterol is necessary for our body to function correctly, too much of the wrong kind — LDL cholesterol – is a health risk. This can build up in the walls of your arteries and form plaque. Plaque can block the arteries, making it harder for blood to flow through. This may lead to heart disease and stroke.
Cholesterol levels
The only way to know your cholesterol levels is through a blood test. A cholesterol test measures the amount of cholesterol and other lipids (fats) in your blood, and is usually done after a period of fasting. A cholesterol test will measure:
LDL cholesterol in your blood
HDL cholesterol in your blood
Triglycerides — a type of fat in your blood that can also increase your risk of heart disease
Total cholesterol — the overall level of cholesterol in your blood
While there are general recommendations as to what healthy cholesterol levels should be, your target levels will depend upon other risk factors you may have for cardiovascular disease. To find out what level you should aim for, speak to your doctor or book a cholesterol test.
High cholesterol
The main cause of high cholesterol levels is our diet. In particular, consuming:
Saturated and trans fats— found in some meats, dairy products, chocolate, baked good, fried and processed foods
Cholesterol— found in animal products like meat and cheese
Other factors that can also lead to high cholesterol levels include:
diabetes – this condition can upset the balance between HDL and LDL levels
liver or kidney disease – liver disease can hinder the ability to clear cholesterol, while people with kidney disease are more likely to have high cholesterol levels
polycystic ovary syndrome, which is linked to insulin resistant, causing weight gain and higher levels of triglycerides, and lower levels of HDL cholesterol
pregnancy or other conditions that increase levels of female hormones – cholesterol levels increase naturally during pregnancy to help provide nutrition to grow the baby
underactive thyroid – this makes it hard for your body to remove LDL cholesterol, leading to higher levels of ‘bad’ and overall cholesterol
some medications
genetics
Most people with high cholesterol levels often have no symptoms, which is why testing is so important. Someone with blockages in their arteries caused by high cholesterol may experience chest pain, heart attack or a stroke without warning.
Lowering your cholesterol
If your cholesterol levels are too high, your doctor will advise the best course of action. The most important thing you can do to lower your cholesterol is to adopt healthy lifestyle measures. These include:
Making dietary changes. Eating the right foods can reduce your levels of LDL cholesterol, and increase your levels of HDL cholesterol. In particular, you should aim to:
eat more fresh fruit, vegetables and wholegrain foods
eat fish (fresh or canned) at least twice a week
eat foods rich in soluble fibre and healthy fats (e.g. nuts, legumes and seeds)
choose lean meats over fatty or processed meats
replace butter with polyunsaturated margarine
choose low or reduced-fat dairy products
limit cheese and ice-cream to twice a week
reduce the total amount of fat in your diet
Physical activity. Regular activity can also help you improve your overall cholesterol by increasing your HDL levels and reducing your LDL levels. You should aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise each day. Examples include walking, running, dancing or cycling.
Other lifestyle changes. Changing some of your lifestyle habits can also help lower your cholesterol and risk of cardiovascular disease. These include:
reducing your alcohol intake to no more than two drinks a day and avoiding binge drinking
quitting smoking
losing excess weight
controlling blood sugar levels if you have diabetes
For some people, diet and lifestyle measures may not be enough to reduce cholesterol levels sufficiently. If this is the case for you, your doctor may recommend medication.
Medication to manage cholesterol
There are different medications used to manage cholesterol. Statins are the most commonly used medication to lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke. Your doctor will talk about any possible side effects of using medication for high cholesterol.
Having regular health checks is an important part of looking after your overall health. At MediADVICE we can help you keep track of your cholesterol and overall health with our Health Checks.
Book your health check