Treatments

Diet and exercise

For people with borderline/high cholesterol levels, lifestyle changes may be an effective way to reduce these levels, improve the ratio of HDL-C to LDL-C, and deliver better long-term outcomes.¹

Diet:
Research has shown that it is possible to reduce the level of cholesterol in blood by between 5% and 10% just by eating healthily. Cholesterol is not found in large amounts in many foods, except in eggs and in offal such as liver and kidneys. However, limiting the amount of saturated fats is particularly effective in reducing cholesterol. This should also be combined with the recommended five portions of fruit and vegetables each day. Limiting salt intake is also recommended as a high intake can lead to high blood pressure, which is also a risk factor for atherosclerosis.¹

Exercise:
Engaging in regular physical activity increases the amount of HDL-C in the blood, while reducing the amount of LDL-C. It also promotes weight loss and weight control while increasing the effectiveness of the body’s blood circulation system. However, in some people, such as those with very high cholesterol levels and those with familial hypercholesterolaemia, simple lifestyle changes may not be enough to reduce cholesterol levels in some individuals and doctors may also recommend statin therapy to reduce patient morbidity and mortality.¹

Reference:
1. Fourth Joint Task Force of the European Society of Cardiology and other societies on cardiovascular disease prevention in clinical practice. Eur J Cardiovasc Prev Rehab 2007; 14: S1-S113.