Cholesterol is a fatty substance that’s produced in the liver and it’s also in some foods we eat. The body needs a certain amount of cholesterol to function normally
Cholesterol combines with proteins to be carried around the blood. This combination is known as lipoproteins.
High-density lipoprotein (HDL) is referred to as ‘good cholesterol’ as it carries cholesterol away from the cells and back to the liver to be removed.
Non-HDL lipoproteins are known as ‘bad cholesterol’ as it causes “furring up of the arteries (atherosclerosis) which can lead to cardiovascular disease such as heart attacks and strokes.
Other risk factors for cardiovascular disease include high blood pressure.
Your cholesterol can become raised for a number of reasons. For example:
A diet high in saturated fats
Not being active enough, so the fats you eat aren’t used up for energy
Genetic conditions which mean the fats aren’t processed in the usual way
Take a look at the links below to learn more about cholesterol and how you can help lower your risk
The British Heat Foundation have lots of great information to help you understand all about cholesterol. You can visit their site here.
Take the Heart UK quiz to find out how heart-healthy your diet is and get tips and advice that are tailored to you.
Smoking
Smoking can raise your cholesterol and make you more likely to have serious problems like heart attacks, strokes and cancer. For help and advice to quit smoking visit our smoking advice page here
Brighton and Hove Federation run dedicated smoking cessation clinics to support patients registered with a Brighton and Hove GP Practice. We offer this in various locations across the city.
Click on the link below and complete the form.
A member of the Federation team will contact you to book an appointment.
Form – Self-Referral