High Cholesterol
High Cholesterol is a condition which does not always cause any outward physical symptoms,
but can lead to serious illnesses, such as heart disease.
What is high cholesterol?
High cholesterol is a condition defined by a high presence of a particular kind of fat in the bloodstream. Too much of this fat can accumulate in the walls of arteries which leads to strokes, heart attacks and other cardiovascular conditions. People often have no outward symptoms of high cholesterol.
What are the different kinds of cholesterol?
When you have a blood test, it will measure the different types of cholesterol. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) which is often referred to as "bad fats" can accumulate in your arteries as plaques. There is also triglycerides which are associated with heavy alcohol use, pancreatitis and diabetes. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) is a good cholesterol and may prevent plaques forming.
What causes high cholesterol?
There are many causes, some preventable and some not.
- Lifestyle risks: Smoking, Obesity, Lack of exercise, Unhealthy diet, Excess Alcohol
- Medical conditions that contribute risk: Diabetes & High blood pressure
- Family history: Inherited cholesterol conditions like familial hypercholesterolaemia
- Ethnicity: High cholesterol is more common in Maori, Pacific people and those from the Indian subcontinent
Can I get my cholesterol down without taking medication?
Changing an unhealthy diet and reducing excess alcohol consumption can reduce your weight and triglyceride level. It will have some impact on the LDL cholesterol level, but rarely enough to change a person's risk of cardiovascular disease if considered to be high-risk. A medicine called a statin is often used to help reduce the LDL level.
General lifestyle advice is extremely important to reduce the risk of cardiovascular problems. This advice is to eat healthily, exercise regularly, not smoke and drink alcohol only in moderation if at all.
What medicines are used to treat high cholesterol?
Medicines called statins are used to treat high LDL cholesterol in those at risk eg Simvastatin, Pravastatin or Atorvastatin. People that take statins, who have low risk, should have a blood test by their doctor to check their cholesterol level every 5 to 10 years. Most people who take statins have no side-effects, or only minor ones. These include headache, pins and needles, abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhoea, nausea and a rash. If you have muscle pains or cramps please see your doctor.
Fish oils may help to reduce blood lipid levels. These occur naturally in oily fish such as salmon. This is why at least 1-2 portions of oily fish per week are recommended in a healthy diet. Dietary supplements ('fish oil tablets', which contain omega-3 fatty acids) are also available. However, the value of fish oil supplements is controversial, as the evidence from research trials is unclear.
If you have already been prescribed treatment for high cholesterol by your own GP or specialist, you can renew your prescription with SwiftMed.
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