I am concerned about my heart health. What are some steps can I take to lower my cholesterol?

High Cholesterol levels can be a result of heredity, but often it’s as a result of the wrong choice of food we eat and our lifestyle. This means with a proper diet and a healthy lifestyle, you can significantly reduce your cholesterol level. A high cholesterol level can negatively impact your health, and you should do everything possible to keep it low. Health issues that could arise as a result of high cholesterol levels include stroke, heart attacks, chest pains, and artery blockage.

So let’s take a look at lifestyle and diet modification you need to lower a high cholesterol level.

Know your numbers

In the court of law, ignorance is no defense, which also applies in health. Lack of information has caused a lot of people to slump to death or into a coma through sudden heart attacks. This is why you need always to check your cholesterol level and know the acceptable numbers. Cholesterol levels differ by age, weight, and gender, but knowing your acceptable numbers would help you work towards lowering it.

Endeavor to know the following

• Total cholesterol
• LDL – Low-density lipoprotein which is harmful when in excess
• DLH – High-Density Lipoprotein, which is good cholesterol.

It is also important to balance LDL and DLH in the right proportion. DLH is good cholesterol, which should always be kept higher than LDL (Bad cholesterol). Adults should also endeavor to check their cholesterol level at least once every 3 years, while those predisposed to heart disease should consult their doctors for a more frequent checkup.

Important information: The information provided on this website is of a general nature and information purposes only. It does not take into account your personal health requirements or existing medical conditions. It is not personalised health advice and must not be relied upon as such. Before making any decisions about your health or changes to medication, diet and exercise routines you should determine whether the information is appropriate in terms of your particular circumstances and seek advice from a medical professional.