Things to avoid with high cholesterol

High cholesterol is influenced by the type of fat in the diet, not simply by whether food tastes rich. Cut back on fatty meats, processed meats, butter, ghee, cream, full-fat dairy, pastries, and foods fried in saturated fats. Check labels for saturated fat and choose beans, vegetables, whole grains, fish, nuts, and unsaturated oils more often.

Avoid tobacco because it damages blood vessels and adds to cardiovascular risk. Limit alcohol if it leads to overeating, affects weight, or interacts with a medicine. [Obesity](/conditions/obesity/) can accompany cholesterol problems, but body size alone does not explain an individual result.

Replace rather than simply remove: use olive or other unsaturated oil instead of butter, and choose grilled or baked foods instead of deep-fried options. Add movement that is safe for your fitness and health, and plan meals before shopping. [Nutrition Counselling](/treatments/lifestyle-and-wellness/nutrition-counselling/) can help adapt changes to family meals and cultural foods.

Do not stop or skip a prescribed statin because a result improves or because you feel well; discuss concerns with the prescriber. [Statin Therapy](/treatments/medical-management/statin-therapy/) may be part of risk reduction. Keep follow-up appointments and complete a [Cholesterol Test](/treatments/diagnostics-and-screening/cholesterol-test/) when advised.

High cholesterol usually has no symptoms. Call emergency services for chest pressure, severe breathlessness, sudden facial drooping, one-sided weakness, or speech difficulty; these can indicate [Angina](/conditions/angina/) or [Stroke](/conditions/stroke/). Seek prompt assessment for new calf or thigh pain with walking, a cold or pale foot, or a slow-healing foot wound, which may reflect [Peripheral Arterial Disease](/conditions/peripheral-arterial-disease/).

Ask which foods matter most for your results, whether alcohol or another medicine affects your plan, what activity is appropriate, when testing should be repeated, and what to do if treatment causes muscle pain, weakness, or other unwanted effects.