Did you know that almost 1 in 2 adults in the UK have raised cholesterol?
Take action during National Cholesterol Month to reduce your risk of developing heart and circulatory diseases.
- Know and understand your cholesterol levels - explore the section below
- Take appropriate action
- Take on a challenge to improve your heart health and raise funds
- Share our National Cholesterol Month images on your social media posts #nationalcholesterolmonth
What is high cholesterol?
We all need some cholesterol in our blood to stay healthy, but too much can lead to serious health problems such as heart attacks and strokes.
Cholesterol levels can be affected by several factors including lifestyle, diet, genetics and health conditions such as diabetes. Anyone can have high cholesterol, even if you are young, slim, eat well and exercise because it can be a genetic condition.
Cholesterol can clog up the arteries that carry blood around the body, making them narrower and causing blood clots. If the arteries become clogged up, the blood does not flow as easily and this can lead to a range of cardiovascular diseases. The image to the right shows how fatty deposits can narrow the artery.
High cholesterol is very common, but most people don't know they have it because it doesn't usually have any symptoms. That's why everyone should have a cholesterol check.
There are treatments available for high cholesterol, but it's usually possible to lower cholesterol naturally with healthy lifestyle changes.
Change your diet
The Ultimate Cholesterol Lowering Plan© is your personalised plan for healthy cholesterol. It lowers cholesterol while giving you freedom to choose foods you like and build a diet that works for you.
Take our mini quiz - how much do you know about cholesterol?
Test your knowledge with our mini quiz and get a free download of our Easy Mini-Guide to Cholesterol with loads of helpful tips, heart-healthy recipes and information about how to get your cholesterol levels checked, what the results mean and how to keep a healthier cholesterol level.
Get more active
Being active is a major part of looking after your cholesterol levels, keeping your heart healthy and helping to prevent heart disease.
Use our exercise videos or sign up for one of our many challenge events in 2024 to raise vital funds for HEART UK.