Living with high cholesterol

Lifestyle changes - lowering cholesterol

Although there are drugs which are very effective in lowering cholesterol levels, making changes to your lifestyle can also be an effective way to reduce your cholesterol levels and reduce your risk of developing heart problems associated with high cholesterol levels.

If you have high cholesterol, you may be advised to:

 

Eat a healthy diet

It is important that you eat a varied and healthy diet, including leafy vegetables, unprocessed cereals, low-fat, high-fibre foods. Too much fat and cholesterol in your diet can cause Coronary Heart Disease (CHD). Limiting your intake of salt is particularly important as too much salt in the diet can cause high blood pressure. Doctors recommend keeping salt intake below 2.4 grams (g), or about one teaspoon per day. Be aware that many foods contain added salt.   

Maintain a healthy weight

Your healthy weight is determined by several factors, including your genes, food and physical activity. Your doctor will check your body size by measuring your weight and height and calculating your Body Mass Index (BMI). Research has shown that people within a certain range of body size tend to live the longest, and enjoy the best health during their lives. The World Health Organisation defines overweight as a BMI of  25 or above and obesity as a BMI of at least 30. If your BMI is above the healthy range you are at higher risk of developing high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and heart disease.

If you are overweight, it is important that you try to lose weight. Losing weight is about reducing the number of calories you eat to less than the calories you burn off in your everyday life. A healthy diet combined with regular exercise will help you to lose weight. Your doctor or nurse will be able to provide advice on the type of diet and exercise plan suitable for you.

Test your BMI

  

Exercise regularly

As well as helping to keep your weight down, exercise lowers cholesterol levels, high blood pressure and also helps to reduce stress and tension. To become fitter, you need to be active enough to make you slightly breathless for at least 10 to 20 minutes. Ideally, you should do some exercise every day but if you can’t manage this, you should aim to exercise at least 3 times a week, for an hour or so each time. The type of exercise recommended is moderate aerobic exercise such as brisk walking, cycling or swimming. Before undertaking any exercise regime please discuss it with your doctor first.

 

Have regular medical check-ups

It is important that you see your doctor regularly. He/she will monitor your blood cholesterol levels to assess if your current treatment plan is the most appropriate for your condition. If you are taking medicines to lower your blood cholesterol it is important that you continue to take them as recommended. 

Please note that we are currently running a high cholesterol awareness survey to see how we can improve our information that we deliver you. You will therefore receive a survey when you close this window, alternatively you can complete the survey here . Thank you for your time.