Remedies for high cholesterol

High cholesterol usually causes no noticeable symptoms, so a blood test is used to check cholesterol levels. Excess cholesterol can contribute to fatty deposits in artery walls, narrowing blood flow over time. Your clinician considers the full cardiovascular picture, including blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, family history, and previous vascular disease, rather than relying on one result alone.

Choose more vegetables, fruit, pulses, whole grains, and fibre-rich foods, and reduce foods high in saturated fat. Be physically active in a way that suits your health, work toward a healthy weight if advised, avoid smoking, and keep alcohol within local guidance. Nutrition counselling can make changes practical. If statin therapy or another medicine is prescribed, take it as directed and report troublesome effects instead of stopping on your own. Follow-up cholesterol testing checks the response.

Arrange a cholesterol test or review if you have risk factors, a strong family history, or have not discussed a previous abnormal result. Seek emergency help for chest pressure, sudden weakness on one side, new speech trouble, or severe leg pain with a cold or pale foot; these may signal angina, stroke, or reduced artery blood flow.

Ask which cholesterol test you need, your overall cardiovascular risk, whether nutrition counselling or statin therapy fits your situation, and when follow-up is due. Bring a list of medicines, supplements, and relevant family history.