Cholesterol is a white, waxy, fat-like substance that is needed for rebuilding cells and is carried in the bloodstream to where it is needed.  However, high levels of Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol are considered potentially damaging because this can build up plaque inside the walls of arteries causing a narrowing of the arteries.

Many millions of people worldwide have high cholesterol.  It is almost as common as high blood pressure.

Your LDL (bad) cholesterol goal number is important.  It gives you and your doctor a standard for good health, much like your temperature, pulse or blood pressure.  Your LDL cholesterol goal number will be based on your medical history and any risk factors you may have for heart disease.  The average person should try to maintain a total cholesterol level less than or equal to 5mmol/L and an LDL cholesterol level less than or equal to 3mmol/l.  If you have heart disease or diabetes your recommended goal is total cholesterol less than or equal to 4.5mmol/L and LDL less than or equal to 2.5mmol/l.¹ If you don’t know what your individual LDL cholesterol goal should be, ask your doctor.

There are two sources of cholesterol - cholesterol made in the liver and cholesterol absorbed in the intestine or gut.Cholesterol levels can be influenced by lifestyle factors, such as diet and exercise, and it is also known that genes play a part.

Other causes of high cholesterol levels include:

• Diet high in saturated fats and cholesterol
• Cirrhosis
• Poorly-controlled diabetes
• Under-active thyroid gland
• Kidney failure
• Porphyria

Usually high cholesterol levels cause no symptoms at all.  Occasionally, if levels are very high, fat deposits may form growths called xanthomas in tendons and in the skin.²

A simple blood test to measure the total cholesterol level can be taken at any time.  However blood samples to measure levels of different types of cholesterol, such as LDL, are best taken after at least 12 hours of fasting.

Some people, because of body chemistry or heredity, have too much LDL cholesterol no matter how hard they try. These people may be prescribed medication that will help to lower their cholesterol. There are different types of lipid-lowering drugs: bile acid binders, fibric acid derivatives, cholesterol absorption inhibitors and statins. Each type lowers lipids by a different mechanism. Consequently, the different types of drugs have different side effects and may affect lipid levels differently.³

Treatment should be tailored to the individual, if side effects occur, it is important to discuss these with your doctor who can look at changing the dose or switching to an alternative therapy.

Making some basic lifestyle changes can help in managing high cholesterol. These include:

• Eating a diet low in fat and cholesterol
• Losing any excess weight
• Taking regular physical exercise – this helps to reduce high cholesterol and to reduce other risk factors for heart disease, such as high blood pressure.
• Giving up smoking

  References

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