High cholesterol

High cholesterol is a common health issue. According to Public Health England 60% of adults in England have high cholesterol. The link between high levels of LDL cholesterol and the incidence of cardiovascular disease is well established.

Anyone can have high cholesterol. The are several causes of high cholesterol including genetic- about one in 250 people has familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH), this is an inherited condition that means their cholesterol levels are higher than normal. Men are also more likely to have high cholesterol and those from from South Asian background. You are also more likely to have high cholesterol if you have certain health conditions such as an underactive thyroid gland, type 2 diabetes, liver disease or kidney disease.

However there are many diet and lifestyle causes too, including a diet high in saturated fats, high alcohol and smoking. Even if your genetics are the underlying cause of your high cholesterol, making diet and lifestyle changes can help reduce your levels and therefore your chances of the associated health issues.

What exactly is cholesterol? Cholesterol is a type of fat, also known as a lipid, found in the body. Despite its bad press, the body needs cholesterol for several vital functions. It is only when cholesterol is found in excess in the body that it can begin to cause health problems.

Cholesterol is required for:

• Cell membrane structure. Cholesterol is an important structural component within cells.
• The synthesis of steroid hormones such as oestrogen and vitamin D.
• The production of bile acids to aid both digestion and the absorption of fats.

Types of cholesterol:

• High-density lipoprotein (HDL) (often referred to as Good)

High-density lipoprotein is typically referred to as the ‘good’ type of cholesterol. This is because it helps remove excess (bad) cholesterol from your blood vessels. It manages to do this by transporting cholesterol to your liver from your tissues. Your liver then takes the cholesterol and breaks it down, which enables it to be removed from your body.

• Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) (often referred to as bad)

Low-density lipoprotein transports cholesterol around your body from your liver to wherever it’s needed in the body. If your LDL levels are too high, it can produce fatty deposits in your arteries. It’s important to note that the health of your arteries is a factor here, if they are damaged from inflammation (smoking is a common risk factor) cholesterol will be more likely to attach to the inflamed area making deposits more likely.  This can increase the risk of stroke and heart disease. This is why LDL is often referred to as ‘bad’ cholesterol.

• Triglycerides

This is not cholesterol but often tested at the same time by doctors. Triglycerides are blood fats, eating high levels of saturated and trans fats can cause high blood triglycerides and are used as an indication of a higher risk of cardiovascular disease. Triglycerides maintain the transportation and storage of energy.

If you are worried about high cholesterol your GP will give you a simple blood or finger prick test. You may just be told your total cholesterol which should be below 5 however you may have your result broken down as follows: