HDL (or happy / good cholesterol) is responsible for carrying (bad) cholesterol to the liver for breaking down and excretion by the adrenal glands and here is used to make cortisol a hormone released in the fight and flight response. LDL (you may also see this referred to as non-high-density lipoproteins or non-HDL because bad cholesterol is not just limited to LDL it is now believed). induces inflammation and the clumping of platelets in the vasculature of the body leading to furring up of the pipework (vascular disease). Heart and vascular disease can lead to both stroke and heart attack.

Cholesterol is a substance that is created naturally in our liver but is also found in some foods. Every cell in the body needs cholesterol to function properly but too much can lead to problems. It is needed to aid digestion and to make Vitamin D and hormones that keep our bones strong and healthy. Levels of cholesterol can be influenced by both lifestyle and genetics (inherited from your family – Familial Hypercholesterolaemia). Most of us are unaware that we have a problem until symptoms of the associated diseases arise such as bloating and digestive issues, poor/difficult breathing, numbness in areas of your body, chest pain, headaches and nausea, tiredness and stress, weak/poor vision, skin rashes of unknown cause. The only way to really know is to get regular testing even if you feel fit and healthy as it can happen without us knowing until it is too late. No one is immune to high cholesterol young, old, under or overweight and all ethnicities (some more so). Our tests also measure your triglyceride levels which may also have an affect on your heart health.

Are there other fats I should be concerned with?

Triglycerides are another type of fat found in our blood which is usually stored in our fat cells. Too much in your system can lead to narrowing of your blood vessel walls (arteries) making them weaker. This chemical is influenced by your things in your diet such as sugar, alcohol and fatty foods. It is possible to have the correct ratio of HDL-LDL but still have high triglycerides.

LDL / non-HDL is responsible for transporting cholesterol from the liver to cells in our body but too much can stick a fatty substance (atheroma) to the walls of our arteries the process called atherosclerosis which makes blood flow harder and can lead to stress being put on weakened artery walls (as above) and the heart leading to heart attack or stroke.

There are a few things you cannot control, age being one of them, an underactive thyroid gland and genetic background, plus a few others.

So, risk factors include smoking, high blood pressure, sedentary/inactive lifestyle, being overweight, diabetes, family history and being of South Asian origin.

Your test results are measured in millimoles per litre of blood (mmol/L). You are hoping for a ratio as indicated above but generally for a healthy heart you want low LDL /non-HDL and high HDL.

Normal according to The National Institute for health and clinical excellence (NICE) total cholesterol less than 5.0mmol/l and LDL cholesterol less than 3mmol/l

Why take a test?

The blood test will give you a good idea as to what level of risk you are at but blood pressure and simple weight, height and waist measurements will give a clearer picture, which is why we offer this during all our blood tests. Theses additional readings will tell you if you need to just make lifestyle adjustments or to consult your GP for medication to maintain healthy levels of cholesterol. Medication is used only if lifestyle changes are not enough. Statins is the most common medicine used.

Simple lifestyle changes would include reducing saturated fat in your diet, reduce alcohol intake, limit eating junk foods, stop smoking (tar creates a sticky surface that cholesterol atheroma likes to stick to) and increase your activity levels to name a few obvious ones. Being overweight or having diabetes puts you at higher risk of high cholesterol.

There are a few things you cannot control, age being one of them, an underactive thyroid gland and genetic background, plus a few others.

So, risk factors include smoking, high blood pressure, sedentary/inactive lifestyle, being overweight, diabetes, family history and being of South Asian origin.

Your test results are measured in millimoles per litre of blood (mmol/L). You are hoping for a ratio as indicated above but generally for a healthy heart you want low LDL /non-HDL and high HDL.

Normal according to The National Institute for health and clinical excellence (NICE) total cholesterol less than 5.0mmol/l and LDL cholesterol less than 3mmol/l