Recent figures suggest almost half of all UK adults may be at risk of a “silent killer”, which is often without any noticeable symptoms. Having high cholesterol significantly increases the likelihood of stroke and cardiovascular disease – the latter claiming over 100,000 lives annually.
Cholesterol, while essential for our survival, can be a double-edged sword. The fatty substance is vital for numerous bodily functions; however, an excess of the wrong type can lead to atherosclerosis, commonly known as artery hardening.
The silent nature of high cholesterol means many are unaware of their condition until a blood test reveals it. Although there are some signs to look out for, according to the BBC.
These are:
- Swollen tendons (tendon xanthomata) or bumps around joints, like the Achilles tendons
- Yellowish lumps or patches on the skin
- Cholesterol deposits in the skin or on the eyelids
- Erectile dysfunction
- Deposits in a half-moon shape on the cornea of the eye (corneal arcus)
However, as stated above, an absence of these symptoms does not necessarily mean you do not have high cholesterol. GPs may recommend testing based on age, weight, or existing conditions like diabetes or hypertension. For those over 40, cholesterol levels might be checked during an NHS Health Check.
Healthy levels for cholesterol are: below 5mmol/L for total cholesterol, above 1.0mmol/L for men or above 1.2mmol/L for women for HDL (good cholesterol), and below 4mmol/L for non-HDL, or bad cholesterol.
How to lower your cholesterol
According to NHS guidelines, you can effectively decrease your cholesterol by reducing the consumption of fatty foods – yet, there’s no need to completely avoid fats if they’re the “healthier” unsaturated kind. Health chiefs suggest eating more nuts and seeds, an abundance of fruits and veggies, brown rice, as well as wholegrain and wholewheat options for bread and pasta, and consuming more olive oil, as well as oily fish like salmon and mackerel.
You can also lower cholesterol by quitting smoking and by limiting your alcohol intake.
