Health Services - High Cholesterol
What Factors Increase Cholesterol Risk?
When assessing cholesterol risk, we consider:
- Family history
- Weight
- BMI and waist circumference
- Other existing conditions or diseases
Like high blood pressure (hypertension), one of the scariest things about high cholesterol is that it often has no detectable signs or symptoms.
Just like hypertension, high cholesterol can lead to the build-up of plaque (atherosclerosis) in your arteries—a major cause of heart attacks and strokes.
When Should You Check Your Cholesterol?
We recommend checking your cholesterol at different ages depending on your individual risk factors for high cholesterol and heart disease.
You may need to repeat or recheck your cholesterol levels more frequently depending on your health status and whether your situation has changed since your last test.
Monitoring and managing your cholesterol is one of the most powerful steps you can take to protect your heart and overall health.
Have You Made Lifestyle Changes or Started Medication?
If you’ve been diagnosed with high cholesterol and then:
Started medication
Lost weight
Changed your lifestyle
…your doctor may recommend testing your cholesterol sooner than someone with previously normal levels and no recent changes.
It’s important to work with your GP to determine when your next test should be done.
Have You Made Lifestyle Changes or Started Medication?
Not necessarily.
While some people may require medication to lower cholesterol, this is not always the case.
Your GP will look at your overall risk—including other factors like age, family history, blood pressure, and smoking status—before deciding whether medication is needed.
Often, lifestyle changes alone can make a significant difference.
Ways to Reduce Your Cholesterol Naturally
Here are the most effective steps you can take to lower your cholesterol:
🏃♀️Exercise regularly
(30 minutes of moderate intensity daily—like a brisk walk, swim, or weights)
📏 Maintain a healthy waist circumference
• Less than 94 cm for Caucasian men
• Less than 90 cm for Asian men
• Less than 80 cm for all women
🍷 Reduce alcohol intake
(alcohol increases waist circumference and cholesterol)
🥩 Avoid high-fat diets
especially trans and saturated fats
🥗 Eat mostly unprocessed foods
processed foods can raise cholesterol
🫒 Consider a Mediterranean-style diet
which may also benefit blood pressure
When Did You Last Have Your Cholesterol Checked?
Even if you feel healthy, you might be unaware of rising cholesterol levels.
If you’re unsure about your numbers, experiencing changes in weight or lifestyle, or simply want peace of mind—book an appointment with your GP to get checked.
