Health Cholesterol


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What you need to know about…


cholesterol


Having high cholesterol increases your risk of serious health conditions. Here’s what you should know to help keep yours at a healthy level


Q A


What is cholesterol?


Cholesterol is a fat-like substance that’s made in the body and also found in some foods. It’s


transported from the liver to the tissues in the body where it’s needed in particles called lipoproteins, of which there are two main types:


• Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL). This is often referred to as ‘bad’ cholesterol because it can build up in the artery walls if there’s too much cholesterol for the cells to use.


• High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL). Often called ‘good’ cholesterol, HDL carries cholesterol away from the cells and back to the liver, where it’s either broken down or passed out of the body as a waste product.


Cholesterol in your blood is measured in units called millimoles per litre of blood (mmol/L). If you’re healthy, your levels should be:


• Total cholesterol: 5.0mmol/l or less • LDL: 3.0mmol/L or less


Your body needs cholesterol for certain functions, including making hormones and vitamin D. But if you have high cholesterol it can increase your risk of atherosclerosis (narrowing of the arteries), heart attack, stroke, ‘mini’ stroke (transient ischaemic attack) and peripheral arterial disease.


Q A


Can your lifestyle affect your cholesterol?


Several lifestyle factors can increase your risk of having a cholesterol problem.


Eating an unhealthy diet that includes high


levels of saturated fat can raise your chances of having heart problems or a stroke if your cholesterol is high. Other things that can affect your cholesterol include smoking, having diabetes or high blood pressure and having a family history of stroke or heart disease. You can’t do anything about your family history,


but the good news is you can change your lifestyle and reduce your risk – ask your local Careway pharmacist for details.


healthy level?


Q A


A healthy balanced diet is essential for reducing your cholesterol. Experts also


recommend you pay attention to the amount of fat you eat, particularly saturated fat. This means reducing the amount of butter, ghee, lard, fatty cuts of meat, cheese (particularly hard cheese), cream, milk chocolate, cakes, biscuits, coconut oil and palm oil you eat. According to the NHS, taking regular exercise


could also make a big difference in helping to reduce your cholesterol. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity a week.


Q A


Does high cholesterol have any symptoms?


According to the cholesterol charity Heart UK, more than half of adults in England have


raised cholesterol. However high cholesterol is often called the ‘silent’ killer because it doesn’t cause any symptoms. If you’ve never had your cholesterol tested, ask


your local Careway pharmacist for advice. How can your pharmacist help?


Q A


Many local Careway pharmacies offer cholesterol screening services, which may


be an easier and more convenient way for you to get your cholesterol tested than seeing your GP. And when your results are available, your pharmacist can refer you to your GP if necessary. Your pharmacist can also give you lots of tips


on healthy eating and staying physically active, plus essential advice and support with giving up smoking if you need it.


Need more advice about lowering your cholesterol or getting your cholesterol checked? Visit your local pharmacy (find your nearest Careway pharmacy at www.careway.co.uk/find-a- pharmacy).


All About health 47


Which foods should you eat or avoid to keep your cholesterol at a


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