Four ways to lower cholesterol as many people are living with 'ticking time bomb'

dailyrecord.co.uk:

High cholesterol is a common condition that doesn't cause symptoms, which means the first sign could come in a heart attack or stroke.

That’s the scary reality of this fatty substance in our blood, which we actually need to stay healthy, because every cell in our body uses it.But too much of it can lead to a higher risk of cardiovascular problems, such as heart attacks and strokes.The British Heart Foundation estimates that close to half of UK adults have cholesterol levels above national guidelines (total cholesterol greater than 5mmol/L).

New research by Novartis Pharmaceuticals shows more than three-quarters (77%) of people don’t know what a good cholesterol level is in a healthy adult, and only 6% know the NHS recommends people aged over 40 should get their cholesterol levels checked every five years. “Two out of every five people have raised cholesterol.

Many are living with a ticking time bomb without knowing it, and don’t realise how vital cholesterol is to heart health,“ says GP Dr Sarah Jarvis.“Too much cholesterol in your blood can clog your arteries and lead to heart attack and stroke.