High Cholesterol: What It Really Means and How to Manage It

10 Oct 2025

High cholesterol is one of the most common health issues in the UK — and one of the least understood. Because it causes no symptoms, many people don’t realise they have it until it leads to something more serious, like heart disease or stroke.

Here’s what you need to know about cholesterol, how it affects your health, and the simple steps you can take to keep it under control.

What is Cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a fatty substance made by the liver and found in certain foods. It’s essential for building healthy cells and producing hormones, but too much of it can be harmful.

There are two main types:

• LDL (low-density lipoprotein) – Often called “bad” cholesterol because it can build up in the arteries.
• HDL (high-density lipoprotein) – Known as “good” cholesterol as it helps remove excess cholesterol from the blood.

High levels of LDL or an imbalance between LDL and HDL can increase your risk of cardiovascular disease.

Why High Cholesterol is a Problem

Excess cholesterol can stick to the walls of your arteries, forming fatty deposits known as plaques. Over time, these plaques narrow the arteries, making it harder for blood to flow. This process, called atherosclerosis, increases the risk of:

• Heart attack
• Stroke
• Peripheral artery disease
• High blood pressure

Because high cholesterol doesn’t cause pain or visible symptoms, regular testing is the only way to detect it.

You can book a Cholesterol Blood Test – placeholder link] to check your levels quickly and accurately.

Common Causes of High Cholesterol

Several factors can contribute to elevated cholesterol levels:

• Poor diet – High in saturated fats, fried foods, and processed snacks.
• Lack of exercise – Physical inactivity lowers good HDL cholesterol.
• Smoking – Damages blood vessels and reduces HDL.
• Being overweight – Especially with excess abdominal fat.
• Genetics – Some people inherit a condition called familial hypercholesterolaemia.
• Medical conditions – Such as diabetes, thyroid problems, or kidney disease.

Who Should Get Tested?

Cholesterol testing is recommended for:

• All adults over 40 as part of routine health checks
• Anyone with a family history of heart disease or stroke
• People with diabetes, high blood pressure, or obesity
• Smokers or those with an unhealthy diet

At South Kensington Medical & Dental, our Cardiovascular Screening includes a detailed Lipid Profile Test to measure total, HDL, and LDL cholesterol.

How Cholesterol is Tested

A simple blood test can measure your:

• Total cholesterol
• HDL (“good”) cholesterol
• LDL (“bad”) cholesterol
• Triglycerides – Another type of fat that can raise heart risk

Results help your doctor assess overall cardiovascular health and plan next steps.

Managing High Cholesterol

For most people, lifestyle changes are the first line of treatment:

1. Eat heart-healthy foods:

• Choose lean protein, whole grains, fruit, and vegetables.
• Limit saturated fats found in red meat, butter, and full-fat dairy.
• Add foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, like salmon and flaxseeds.

2. Stay active:
   Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week to raise good cholesterol.
    
3. Maintain a healthy weight:
   Losing even a small amount of weight can significantly lower cholesterol.
    
4. Stop smoking:
   Quitting helps restore healthy HDL levels and protects the heart.
    
5. Limit alcohol:
   Too much can raise triglycerides and blood pressure.

When Medication is Needed

If lifestyle changes aren’t enough, your doctor may recommend cholesterol-lowering medications such as statins. These help reduce LDL levels and prevent complications.

Your Private GP can discuss whether treatment or further testing is right for you.

Final Thoughts

High cholesterol is silent but serious. The good news is that it’s entirely manageable with regular testing, healthy habits, and, if needed, medical treatment.