Do you know your cholesterol levels?
When was the last time you had your cholesterol levels checked? There are usually no symptoms with high cholesterol so the only way to find out is to get this tested by a healthcare professional.
High cholesterol levels can lead to issues with clogged arteries which may cause heart attacks and strokes. Anyone can have high cholesterol levels, including those who regularly exercise, eat well and are slim. Sometimes it can be related to family genetics or other medical conditions and so it’s a good idea to know your numbers. For some people, making healthy lifestyle changes can reduce their cholesterol levels but for others, medications may be needed.
Here at Northern Clinics, we offer a quick and easy blood test with results available on-site within 10 minutes. We can discuss your cardiovascular risk and advise you on steps you can take to reduce this risk. Book in today at one of our clinics to get a cholesterol test and peace of mind.
In this week’s blog we focus on the different types of cholesterol and some of the actions you can take to help keep your cholesterol levels healthy.
What is cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a type of waxy-like fat that is found in your blood. It is made by the liver and is also found in some of the foods that we eat. We need cholesterol to keep our bodies healthy but when the levels in our blood get too high it can become a health problem. Too much of this fatty substance can clog up your arteries. When this happens, it can put you at risk of problems like heart attacks and strokes.
What are the different types of cholesterol?
There are a range of different types of cholesterol but two common ones you might hear healthcare professionals talk about are HDL (“Good”) and LDL (“Bad”) cholesterol.
- HDL cholesterol: Also known as “Good” cholesterol. This carries cholesterol away from the cells in your body and towards your liver to be broken down. This type of cholesterol helps to prevent us from developing diseases.
- LDL cholesterol: Also known as “Bad” cholesterol. This is the type of cholesterol that we want to try and avoid too much of. It is needed by the body in small amounts but when there is too much it can clog up the arteries.
You may also have heard the term “triglycerides” being mentioned when it comes to cholesterol. Triglycerides are another type of blood fat that is essential for energy and well-being but when you have too much in your blood this can put you at risk of heart disease. When triglycerides are very high, they can also lead to serious medical problems including problems with your pancreas.
Causes of high cholesterol
High cholesterol can be caused by many different factors and sometimes these are things you can’t control. For example, cholesterol levels tend to be higher as we get older and are often higher in males compared to females. Those in certain ethnic groups such as South Asian people are also more likely to have higher cholesterol levels. People with kidney or liver disease, excess weight, type 2 diabetes and an underactive thyroid may also be at higher risk.
Your diet and lifestyle can have an impact on your cholesterol levels including smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity and the amount of saturated fats in your diet.
Ways to reduce your cholesterol
There are four main ways that can help reduce your cholesterol levels:
- Make some changes to your diet:
- Replace saturated fats (e.g. fatty meats, butter, cakes, biscuits) with unsaturated fats (e.g. olive oil, oily fish, nuts, seeds).
- Include more fruits and vegetables in your diet as these don’t contain cholesterol.
- Try simple swaps like switching refined carbohydrates (e.g. white bread, white pasta) for wholegrain alternatives (e.g. wholemeal bread, brown pasta) or switching full fat milk for skimmed milk.
- Try to include barley, oats, nuts and soya as these can all help to lower your cholesterol
- Get more exercise: You don’t always have to join a gym to get fit. Start small by taking more walks outside, gardening, taking the stairs or parking further away from your destination. Ideally you should try to work up to around 2.5 hours of exercise per week, whether this be walking, swimming, cycling or something else that you enjoy. Check out Heart UK’s website for some at home exercise videos you could try to get started: Exercise - HEART UK .
- Cut back on alcohol: Limit your intake to no more than 14 units of alcohol each week and try to have several drink-free days every week.
- Stop smoking: Smoking can raise your cholesterol levels which can lead to heart attacks and strokes. If you need help with stopping smoking, speak with your pharmacist or doctor today. Lots of pharmacies offer a free 12 week NHS stop smoking programme to support you with quitting.
For some people, diet and lifestyle changes alone may not be enough to lower their cholesterol levels and it may be necessary to take medications.
Why choose Northern Clinics
At Northern Clinics, we provide a discreet, convenient and professional cholesterol testing service on-site in our Craigavon and Holywood (Belfast) pharmacy clinics. The test involves a simple finger-prick blood sample and results are available on the same day as your appointment within 10 minutes. We are here to help you understand the results of your test, answer any questions you may have and provide advice on what steps to take next. Get in touch today to get your cholesterol levels checked and start your journey towards a healthier version of you.
This blog was written by Dr Deborah Patton, MPSNI, MPharm, PhD (Community Pharmacist at Northern Pharmacies).
References:
https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/risk-factors/high-cholesterol
