Cholesterol
- Hypercholesterolaemia
- Tool: General cardiovascular disease 10-year risk calculator
- Cholesterol testing
- Tool: LDL cholesterol levels calculator
- LDL cholesterol lowering
- Nutrition for lowering cholesterol levels
- Tool: LDL cholesterol level targets
Hypercholesterolaemia
Cholesterol is a substance naturally found in the walls of cells. It is used by the body to produce certain hormones, vitamin D, and bile acids that help to digest fat. If the amounts of cholesterol in the blood are excessive, cholesterol can build up in arteries, which can lead to coronary heart disease and many other serious conditions. |
For more information, see Hypercholesterolaemia.
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Cholesterol testing
There are two major types of cholesterol found in the blood: low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, sometimes referred to as ‘bad’ cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, or ‘good’ cholesterol. A cholesterol test is a simple blood test that measures the levels of these two cholesterol types and triglycerides in the blood. |
For more information, see Cholesterol Testing.
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LDL cholesterol lowering
LDL cholesterol is called ‘bad’ because it is a major contributor to the development of atherosclerosis – the sticky plaques that can form inside blood vessels and contribute to problems like stroke. Lowering LDL cholesterol levels in the blood can have a number of positive effects for your health. |
For more information, see LDL Cholesterol Lowering.
Nutrition for lowering cholesterol levels
Both dietary changes and drugs are used in the management of cholesterol levels. In most cases, the dietary approach is the first option, since dietary habits have a great influence on the cholesterol levels of an individual. The guiding principle is to strive for low bad cholesterol and high good cholesterol. |
For more information, see Nutrition for Lowering Cholesterol Levels.
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Dates
Posted On: 26 November, 2009
Modified On: 30 March, 2017
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