The ticking time bomb of high cholesterol

How are your cholesterol levels? Unless you’ve recently been for a blood test, the truth is you probably have no idea. And that’s because even those with high cholesterol don’t usually display any symptoms. That is, until it leads to serious health problems such as heart disease, angina, heart attack, stroke and vascular dementia.

So if you’re not sure whether you’re one of the 6 in 10 adults in the UK that have high cholesterol, read on to discover why it’s essential that you find out ASAP.

Good cholesterol versus bad cholesterol

Cholesterol is a type of fat that is made in the liver and found in your blood. A healthy level of cholesterol is required to maintain cell membrane structure and it is also crucial in the production of hormones, vitamin D, aiding digestion and regulating metabolism. But not all cholesterol is created equal! When we talk about high cholesterol, we’re referring to high levels of LDL cholesterol:

• ‘Good’ cholesterol – HDL cholesterol
  HDL cholesterol carries cholesterol away from your cells, back to your liver to be broken down.
• ‘Bad’ cholesterol – LDL cholesterol
  Too much of this can clog up your arteries, potentially leading to a range of serious health problems.

Too much cholesterol in your blood can lead to fatty areas called plaques forming in the walls of your arteries. As these areas harden over time, your arteries become stiffer and narrower – a process referred to as atherosclerosis.

As the arteries become narrower, it becomes harder for blood to flow through them, which in turn puts a strain on your heart as it has to work harder to pump blood around your body.

And that’s exactly why high cholesterol is often referred to as a “ticking time bomb” or a “silent killer”, because many sufferers are completely unaware of what’s happening in their bloodstream until they’re hit with a sudden and unexpected heart attack.

Take the test

The best way to avoid such an unwelcome surprise it to take a test. YourGP offers a simple blood test that can measure your levels of cholesterol. We also offer health assessments to build a more comprehensive picture of your overall health.

Based on these results, our team of experienced GPs can provide tailored help and advice, because the good news is that high cholesterol levels can be lowered through a series of simple lifestyle changes.

5 simple lifestyle changes to lower your levels

1. Exercise regularly: Aim for around 150 minutes of moderate intensity activity or 75 minutes of vigorous intensity activity per week.
2. Lose excess weight: Shedding extra body fat will help to lower cholesterol.
3. Eat a healthier diet: Aim for less saturated fat found in red meat and processed meat, fried foods, full fat dairy, sugary cakes and biscuits. Instead opt for more unsaturated fat such as oily fish and combine with plenty of fibre found in vegetables and wholegrains.
4. Cut down or cut out alcohol: Limit yourself to no more than 14 units of alcohol per week. That equates to 6 pints of beer or 10 small glasses of wine.
5. Stop smoking: It’s never too late to stub it out. Quitting smoking isn’t easy but there is a wide range of support available – from nicotine patches and gum, to smoking cessation sessions.

Book your cholesterol test at YourGP today

If you’re keen to confirm whether or not you’re one of the 6 in 10 adults that has high cholesterol and you’d like tailored advice about how best to lower those levels, you can book an appointment using our simple online booking system. Or you can email reception@your.gp, or call us on 0131 225 5656 and we’ll be happy to arrange an appointment at a time that suits you.