October is Cholesterol Awareness Month – a great time to learn more about how cholesterol affects your health and what you can do to keep it at a healthy level.
Cholesterol often gets a bad name, but it’s actually something your body needs to stay healthy. It helps build cells and make certain hormones. The problem is when there’s too much of it in your blood — this can increase your risk of heart disease and stroke.
What is Cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a fatty substance made by your liver and also found in some of the foods you eat. There are two main types:
- LDL (Low-Density Lipoprotein) – often called ‘bad’ cholesterol because high levels can cause fatty build-up in your arteries.
- HDL (High-Density Lipoprotein) – known as ‘good’ cholesterol because it helps remove excess cholesterol from your bloodstream.
Why It Matters
Too much LDL cholesterol can lead to narrowing of the arteries, making it harder for blood to flow around your body. This increases the risk of serious conditions like heart attack and stroke.
Watch: What is Cholesterol?
This webinar from the Heart UK explains cholesterol and why it matters in an easy-to-understand way and provides lots of details around what foods can help us to make food choices that reduce the risks you face from high cholesterol:
🎥 Watch the video here
How You Can Look After Your Cholesterol
There are simple lifestyle changes that can make a big difference:
- Eat a balanced diet: Choose plenty of fruit, vegetables, wholegrains, and lean proteins. Try to limit foods high in saturated fat such as fatty meats, butter, and cakes.
- Be active: Aim for at least 30 minutes of activity on most days — walking, gardening, or even dancing all count!
- Stop smoking: Smoking lowers your ‘good’ cholesterol and raises your risk of heart disease.
- Drink sensibly: Too much alcohol can raise your cholesterol and blood pressure.
- Maintain a healthy weight: Even small weight changes can help improve cholesterol levels.
Getting Your Cholesterol Checked
You can’t usually feel if your cholesterol is high — the only way to know is through a simple blood test.
If you’re over 40 and eligible you can get your cholesterol checked as part of an NHS Health Check. Some local pharmacies and community events may also offer checks.
When to Seek Support
If you’d like help with healthy eating, getting active, or stopping smoking, visit Health on the High Street or contact our Social Prescribers who can connect you with local support and wellbeing services.