Adding foods Supporting heart health through cholesterol control lower LDLthe harmful cholesterol-carrying particle that contributes to Balanced eating habits atherosclerosis, is the chlesterol way to achieve a low cholesterol halth. Healthy Habits Quit smoking and stay away from secondhand smoke. How to Control Cholesterol Resources. Cholesterol is used for many different things in your body, but it can become a problem when there is too much of it in your blood. Supplier Information. They're also available as supplements.

Supporting heart health through cholesterol control -

For people aged 45 years and over, you can have your cholesterol checked as part of a Heart Health Check External Link with your GP. Drinking too much alcohol can increase your cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Some medical conditions can cause high cholesterol levels including kidney and liver disease and underactive thyroid gland hypothyroidism.

People with type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure often have high cholesterol. Some types of medicines you take for other health problems can increase cholesterol levels as well. What we eat has an impact on our cholesterol levels and can help reduce our risk of disease.

The Heart Foundation recommends following a heart-healthy eating pattern, which means eating a wide variety of fresh and unprocessed foods and limiting highly processed foods including take away, baked goods, chocolate, chips, lollies and sugary drinks.

Not only does this help to maintain a healthy and interesting diet, but it provides essential nutrients to the body. This way of eating is also naturally high in fibre, which is good news, because a high intake of dietary fibre can also reduce levels of bad cholesterol in the blood. Also, be mindful of how much you are eating.

Portion sizes have increased over time and many of us are eating more than we need which can increase our cholesterol and risk of heart disease.

Ideally, a healthy plate would include servings of ¼ healthy proteins, ¼ wholegrains and ½ colourful vegetables. As well as sticking to a varied and healthy diet, try these tips to help you manage your cholesterol:. You can also speak to an Accredited Practising Dietitian External Link for specific advice.

Check out the Heart Foundation website External Link for a range of simple, delicious recipes including vegetarian recipes and those that include plant-based proteins such as lentils, chickpeas and beans:. If you are trying to lower your cholesterol, aim to eat foods that are high in dietary fibre particularly soluble fibre , because they can reduce the amount of LDL bad cholesterol in your blood.

Following a healthy, balanced diet that is low in saturated fats and trans-fats can help to lower your cholesterol.

Aim to replace foods that contain unhealthy, saturated and trans-fats with foods that contain healthy fats. Hormones release triglycerides to make energy between meals.

Like cholesterol, your body needs triglycerides to work properly. However, there is evidence to suggest that some people with high triglycerides are at increased risk of heart disease and stroke. Making lifestyle changes, especially changing some of the foods you eat, and regular physical activity , are very important to help reduce high LDL bad cholesterol.

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The State of Victoria and the Department of Health shall not bear any liability for reliance by any user on the materials contained on this website. Skip to main content. Blood and blood vessels. Home Blood and blood vessels. Cholesterol - healthy eating tips.

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What causes high cholesterol? Cholesterol and healthy eating Healthy eating tips to lower cholesterol Dietary fibre Dietary fats Unhealthy fats Healthy fats Triglycerides in your blood Lowering triglycerides Treatment for high cholesterol Where to get help.

Most people with type 2 diabetes have two metabolic abnormalities that raise their fasting blood glucose: insulin resistance and poor production of insulin by the pancreas. Treatment of type 2 diabetes consists of weight loss, exercise, and medications to control blood sugar.

Since CVD risk is elevated, most patients with diabetes also require statin treatment to lower LDL levels to below 2. Many people with cholesterol problems are not aware that they have the condition and are at risk for heart disease. A blood test called Cholesterol Profile is used to measure cholesterol levels.

Depending on other cardiovascular risk factors such as diabetes or smoking, the optimal levels are determined on an individual basis. Treatment includes lifestyle change and may require medication. This will depend on your other risk factors for heart disease, including smoking, high blood pressure, and family history of heart disease.

Cholesterol-lowering medications are required for many patients in addition to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. For most people, statins are the first line of treatment.

They lower the production of cholesterol in the liver, reducing LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Clinical trials clearly show that lowering LDL and increasing HDL levels in the blood reduces the risk of major coronary events in patients, whether or not they have clinically evident coronary heart disease or high cholesterol.

Research has shown that statin treatment is an effective way to reduce the risk of a major coronary event, as well as the incidence of stroke and total mortality. Reducing LDL levels is associated with slower progression of mild and moderate blockages in coronary arteries, as well as reduction of moderate to severe blockages.

This decreases the risk for heart attack. This table summarizes the evidence supporting the use of statin therapy to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke.

All patients who have evidence of cardiovascular disease atherosclerosis in any part of the vascular system or diabetes should be treated with a statin according to the Canadian Cardiovascular Society Guidelines.

Statins are safe and effective medications for lowering cholesterol. Significant muscle or liver side effects are uncommon. Some patients may need a second medication, such as ezetimibe, which reduces cholesterol absorption from the intestine.

Statins: Statins are a type of medication used to treat high levels of LDL-cholesterol. Examples of statins you might be prescribed include rosuvastatin Crestor ® , atorvastatin Lipitor ® , fluvastatin Lescol ® , lovastatin Mevacor ® , pravastatin Pravachol® , and simvastatin Zocor ®.

Resins: Resins are used to lower LDL-cholesterol and are often used in combination therapy. These include cholestyramine Olestyr or Questran ® and colesevelam Lodalis ®. Fibrates: Fibrates are used to treat high levels of blood triglycerides with or without high levels of LDL-cholesterol and to treat low levels of HDL-cholesterol.

These include bezafibrate Bezalip ® , fenofibrate Lipidil. Niacin: Niacin is sometimes used to treat elevated triglycerides and cholesterol. Niacin is a B vitamin. Fibrates are sometimes used for patients with very high triglycerides as an add-on to statin therapy.

Elevated triglycerides are a risk factor for coronary heart disease, particularly when HDL concentrations are low or when LDL is high. Patients who have a fasting triglyceride level above 6.

Treatment of high triglyceride levels requires management of blood sugar levels for people with diabetes and avoidance of alcohol, oral estrogen, and retinoids.

Fibrates lower triglycerides by a similar amount but can affect kidney function. When buying canned produce look for packed in water and lower sodium or sodium free options. Choose whole grains. Look for whole grain breads, barley, oats including oatmeal quinoa, brown rice, bulgur, farro etc.

Add more vegetarian options like beans, lentils, tofu and nuts to your weekly meal plans. And opt for lean cuts of meat, poultry and fish. Choose lower-fat dairy products with no added sugar.

As a rule of thumb, steer clear of highly processed foods, even if they are lower in fat content. Low-fat or diet foods are often loaded with calories, sodium and added sugar.

Read Nutrition Facts panels and avoid foods that contain partially hydrogenated fat or vegetable shortening. Cook at home Home-cooking is usually more nutritious and wallet-friendly than eating out. Learn more about fats and oils. Browse our heart healthy recipes.

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Please hesrt the Disclaimer at the end Supporting heart health through cholesterol control this page. A high cholesterol level choleeterol called "hypercholesterolemia" can significantly choletserol your risk of developing chest pain, heart attack, and stroke. Fortunately, a number of effective treatment options are available. While total cholesterol has been a primary focus in the past, current guidelines focus on low-density lipoprotein LDL cholesterol. Higher levels of LDL cholesterol are associated with greater risk of heart attack, stroke, need for stenting or coronary bypass surgery, and death. Take steps cholfsterol to lower your risk of heart disease. Conrol age and family history throhgh affect your risk for heart disease. Your risk is higher if:. This is the most common type of heart disease. When someone has CHD, the coronary arteries tubes that take blood to the heart are narrow or blocked.