10
HIGH CHOLESTEROL: PART 4 Of 5
We have already covered all key facts about High Cholesterol. We have looked at what it is, how it is diagnosed,
and why it is so important.
High Cholesterol would be much less important if we could do nothing about it. If it was not manageable we'd
simply have to accept the health risks it causes. The good news is that HIGH Cholesterol CAN be managed.
Not cured as such, and so long-term lifelong management is usually needed, but this is still good news. High
Cholesterol is managed with a combination of lifestyle changes and medications. We have explained the
main dietary approach to managing your cholesterol (low-fat quality-fat) and you know that while you are
aiming for 5.0 mmol/l or less, diet-alone won't lower your cholesterol by more than about 1.0 mmol/l or so. This
week we'll consider the medical side of this.
pills?!
Yes, pills. for a great many people with High Cholesterol, medication will be needed to get
control. This may seem like a "problem" on the face of it (few of us like the idea of taking
medication every day) but the facts are clear:
1. High Cholesterol is a major risk factor for many medical conditions
2. Lowering cholesterol levels reduces the risk
…so it is well worth taking medication if it is advised by your
doctor.
