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HIGH CHOLESTEROL
Cholesterol is a fatty substance which is essential for
life. Cholesterol is needed for a healthy nervous system, good
digestion, and to produce important hormones for the body. The problem
arises when there is too much cholesterol in the body. Research shows
that having a raised cholesterol level in the blood is one of the main
risk factors for heart disease. Cholesterol can build up on the blood
vessel walls and contribute to narrowing or hardening of the arteries.
What is it?
Cholesterol is needed for a healthy nervous system, good digestion, and
to produce important hormones for the body. Most cholesterol is made in
the body by the liver and is often referred to as "Blood Cholesterol".
The body can produce all the cholesterol it needs to carry out its many
functions. Cholesterol is found in certain foods and this type is called
"dietary cholesterol". Foods rich in cholesterol include egg yolks,
offal, shellfish, and fish roe. Most saturated fats are converted to
cholesterol in the body and therefore foods that are high in saturated
fat should be avoided.
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Keeping cholesterol levels healthy
The following healthy eating suggestions, together with regular exercise
and not smoking, will help keep your cholesterol levels in the healthy
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Reduce the total amount of fat you eat, especially saturated fat.
Choose low fat dairy products e.g. low fat milk, low fat cheeses, diet
and low fat yoghurts. |
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Switch to polyunsaturated or monounsaturated ( "good Fats" ) and
use sparingly. Also choose polyunsaturated or monounsaturated oils and
use in very small quantities. |
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Avoid foods cooked in fat, especially chips and takeaways. Grill,
bake , boil , braise , steam, or microwave instead of frying.
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Eat more fruit and vegetables. Aim for four or more portions each
day. Eat chocolate, biscuits, and crisps only on occasion as a treat.
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Eat more wholemeal breads, cereals, pastas and rice. Try and
include oat bran breakfast cereals regularly. |
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Try and eat oily fish once or twice a week e.g. mackerel, herring,
trout, sardines, salmon. If eating canned fish, choose one packed in
brine (salty water) and drain well. Include white fish often.
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Choose lean red meat about 3 times per week and poultry without
skin at least twice per week. If you enjoy sauces, choose tomato-based
varieties as an alternative to cream-based sauces. Drain fat from
roasting tray before making a gravy. |
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Include 4 to 6 eggs per week. If your cholesterol is raised choose
a lower number. |
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Testing blood cholesterol
Your blood cholesterol can be easily measured. This can be arranged by
your family doctor, who will take a sample of your blood. You do not
need to fast. If this is greater than 6 mmol/L the doctor will arrange
for a further test to get a more specific test to check for "good fat"
level and "bad fat" level. You may have to fast for this test.
A diagnoses of high cholesterol should not be made on a single raised
value, as it can vary from day to day. Blood cholesterol measurement
should not take place wtihin 3 months of a serious illness, as it will
give a false result.
A total cholesterol level should be below 5.5 mmol per litre and ideally
below 5.0 mmol per litre. There are other risk factors for heart disease
besides a high cholesterol. The more risk factors you have, the greater
the risk of heart disease. These include smoking , high blood pressure,
obesity, lack of exercise and stress. In addition there are risk factors
such as family history, age and sex which cannot be changed, but a
healthy lifestyle will help reduce this risk.
Treatment
Treatment of a high cholesterol consists of a healthy diet as outlined
above and medication. Your doctor will decide if you are suitable for
medication. There are several very effective medications now on the
market which have been proven by many studies to be effective and lower
the risk of heart disease. |
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