High cholesterol levels can go unnoticed until it's too late - and you've already suffered a heart attack or stroke. But top medical figures and the British Heart Foundation offer for key pieces of advice which could help manage this scary substance in our blood.
We actually need cholesterol to stay healthy, because every cell in our body uses it. But too much of it can lead to a higher risk of cardiovascular problems, like heart attacks and strokes. The British Heart Foundation (bhf.org.uk) estimates that close to half of UK adults have cholesterol levels above national guidelines (total cholesterol greater than 5mmol/L).
But new research by Novartis Pharmaceuticals (novartis.co.uk) shows more than three-quarters (77%) of people don’t know what a good cholesterol level is in a healthy adult, and only 6% know the NHS recommends people aged over 40 should get their cholesterol levels checked every five years.
