Everything You Need To Know About Cholesterol
As part of World Heart Day on Saturday (September 29), Britons are being encouraged to examine their cholesterol levels and find out more about how to keep their hearts healthy. There is a huge amount of misinformation on cholesterol – so Belle About Town spoke to GP Dr Lizzie Kershaw-Yates of TheOnlineClinic for help in separating fact from fiction.
Dr Kershaw-Yate told us that cholesterol is needed – it’s a biological substance created by our own bodies for use in certain biological processes. The amount we make, is down to genetics (some people just naturally make more cholesterol than others) and some of it is down to diet. But most people now have a higher fat and more sugary diet than our predecessors, which can mean we take in more than we need.
However, just because you have high cholesterol, it doesn’t necessarily mean you need treatment. Treatment depends on other factors – such as your family history and your risk factors for cardiovascular disease.
Does ‘good’ cholesterol exist?
Yes. High-Density Lipoprotein protects the arteries and is found in plant-based cholesterols. You can boost your intake of this ‘good’ cholesterol by eating:
- Nuts
- Seeds
- Olive oil
Why are high cholesterol levels bad?
Doctors get concerned about cholesterol levels, because the higher they are, the more likely they are to cause blockages in your artery. If the artery leads to one of the vital organs, then it can cause a stroke or a heart attack.
As well as high levels of cholesterol, a few other things can affect the arteries’ abilities to stay healthy:
- Smoking
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
If any of these extra risk factors apply to you, it’s worth getting your cholesterol measured.
Can I lower my cholesterol without taking tablets?
Yes. Diet and exercise can lower your cholesterol by 10-20 per cent. Eating healthy and exercising more can improve the health of your arteries. Cutting down on alcohol and quitting smoking can also reduce it.
However, some people genetically produce a lot of cholesterol, and can’t lower it ‘enough’ without tablets, so statins make my necessary.
When should I get my cholesterol checked?
Your doctor will probably take your blood to check your cholesterol levels if you suffer from any of the following:
- High blood pressure, diabetes, stroke, angina
- If you have a family history of heart attack or stroke under the age of 55
- If you are overweight and have other risk factors for vascular diseases, such as smoking, family history or excess alcohol consumption, it would be a good idea to get your cholesterol checked – but remember that even people with normal body weight can have high cholesterol.
