Checking Cholesterol

If you're particularly concerned about your cholesterol levels or you have a family history of heart disease, we'd recommend you talk to your GP. If they feel it is necessary, they'll arrange a cholesterol test for you. This usually involves taking a blood sample, often only a finger prick sample, and sending it off for analysis. A fasting cholesterol test can reveal both your levels of total cholesterol and your LDL and HDL-cholesterol.

Remember, you can lower your LDL-cholesterol (bad cholesterol) and increase your HDL-cholesterol (good cholesterol) by reducing the amount of fat in your diet and eating unsaturated fat in appropriate amounts instead of saturated fat. Avocados, nuts and certain vegetable oils such as sunflower, rapeseed, linseed, corn oil all contain unsaturated fat.

In addition, make sure you eat plenty of fruit and veg, a portion of oily fish per week and foods high in soluble fibre such as oats, beans, peas, lentils, chickpeas. Regular physical exercise can also help to lower your LDL-cholesterol level. Take a look at our Get Active section to find out more.