October is National Cholesterol Month – which is a campaign to try and raise awareness of cholesterol and the importance of maintaining healthy levels of cholesterol in your body.
But, what is cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a type of blood fat which is made in the liver. It’s found in some foods too.
We all need some cholesterol in our bodies, but having too much can clog up your arteries and lead to health problems in the future, including heart disease.
Did you know…?
Nearly half of UK adults have elevated cholesterol levels.
Recent research has also found that nearly a third of the UK population haven’t ever had their cholesterol levels checked, and so the goal for each National Cholesterol Month is to raise awareness about cholesterol, in turn allowing people to make informed decisions and take action to lower their high cholesterol, which will lead to a healthier heart.
If you are still confused about cholesterol, watch the following video from Heart UK for some helpful information:
If you would like more facts and information after that video, some handy links with other facts are below.
www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/risk-factors/high-cholesterol
www.heartuk.org.uk/cholesterol/what-is-cholesterol
www.nhs.uk/conditions/high-cholesterol
So, this national cholesterol month have a think on actions you may be able to take to keep your cholesterol in check, to help keep your heart healthy.