National Cholesterol Month

October marks the UK’s National Cholesterol Month – a month devoted to raising awareness of the health implications because of high cholesterol levels.

Cholesterol is a fatty substance which is made in the liver and it plays a vital role in how your body works. There is cholesterol in every cell in your body, and it's especially important in your brain, nerves, and skin.

Cholesterol has three main jobs:

• It’s part of the outer layer, or membrane, of all your body’s cells.
• It’s used to make vitamin D and steroid hormones which keep your bones, teeth, and muscles healthy
• It’s used to make bile, which helps to digest the fats you eat

What raises our cholesterol?

Your blood fat can be raised for several reasons, including:

• A diet high in saturated fats including butter, cakes, biscuits, fatty cuts of meat, sausages, bacon cheese, cured meats etc
• Not being active enough and so, the fats that you do eat aren’t burned off
• Genetic conditions can often mean that an individual’s fats aren’t processed in the typical way

What happens if I didn’t lower my cholesterol?

Evidence and medical history show that a high cholesterol level can increase the risk of:

• Narrowing of the arteries (atherosclerosis)
• Heart attack
• Stroke
• Transient ischaemic attack (TIA)
• Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD)

The science reveals that cholesterol can build up the artery wall, restricting the blood flow to your heart, brain, and the rest of your body. It also increases the risk of a blood clot developing somewhere in your body.

By getting a simple cholesterol test and making positive lifestyle changes, most people can keep their cholesterol levels healthy because high cholesterol increases your risk of heart disease and stroke. Test your knowledge by using National Cholesterol Month In October | HEART UK

To learn more, please visit HEART UK (heartuk.org.uk) or the Cholesterol helpline on 0345 4505988.