There are several different kinds cholesterol, including LDL ("bad") cholesterol and HDL ("good") cholesterol. High LDL and low HDL cholesterol contribute to the buildup of plaque on the inner walls of arteries - a process known as atherosclerosis. Eventually this buildup can reduce blood flow to the heart or brain and can lead to angina (chest pain), heart attacks and strokes.

Cholesterol is one of a number of factors that contribute to the development of atherosclerosis. The following conditions are considered risk factors for developing heart disease:

Risk Factors You Can't Change

Increasing age (men 45 or older, women 55 or older)

History of heart disease in a parent or sibling (father or brother before age 55, mother or sister before age 65)

 

Risk Factors You Can Change

Diabetes

Smoking

High blood pressure

Being overweight

Sedentary lifestyle

Stress

 

You and your doctor will need to consider your overall risk when deciding on your target cholesterol levels: generally, the more risk factors you have, the lower your cholesterol should be.

Generally, healthy men who are younger than 40 and have no risk factors do not need cholesterol testing. The same is true for healthy women younger than 50.

Lifestyle Changes

A variety of lifestyle measures can help ensure that your cholesterol levels are healthy. Eat a healthy diet

5-10 servings of whole grain products per day

- 5-10 servings of fruits and vegetables per day

- 2-4 servings of low-fat milk products per day

- 2-3 servings of low-fat meat and alternatives per day

- less than 30% of total calories from fat

- less than 10% of total calories from saturated fat and trans fatty acids

- less than 300 mg cholesterol per day

- more than 25-35 g of fibre per day

Get regular physical activity

- 30-60 min. endurance (cardiovascular) activities (e.g. brisk walking, jogging, cycling) 4-7 days per week

Maintain ideal body weight

Limit alcohol intake to less than 2 drinks per day

Quit smoking

If lifestyle changes do not have enough effect, various cholesterol-lowering medications are available. Each works in a different way to lower total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides (another kind of harmful fat in the blood).

To benefit from cholesterol lowering medication, it's important to take it as directed over the long term, even if you feel perfectly healthy.

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