What is cholesterol? 
Cholesterol is a fatty substance that is found in the bloodstream and in all the body’s cells. Only a small proportion of the cholesterol in the body comes from the cholesterol in food. It is manufactured mostly in the liver from the saturated fat found in food.

What are low-density lipoproteins? 
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is the main cholesterol carrier in the blood.  If too much LDL cholesterol circulates in the blood it can build up within the lining of the arteries and form an atheroma.  This is a fatty deposit that can cause the arteries to narrow in a process called atherosclerosis.  A high level of LDL cholesterol may reflect an increased risk of coronary heart disease (CHD).

What are high-density lipoproteins? 
High-density lipoproteins (HDL) appear to carry cholesterol away from the arteries and back to the liver.  High levels of HDL cholesterol help to protect against the development of atheroma in the arteries.  A low level of HDL may suggest a greater risk of atherosclerosis.

Should I have my cholesterol checked? 
If there is a history of heart disease from an early age in your family, you should have your blood cholesterol levels checked by your doctor, practice nurse or at your lipid clinic.  Inherited conditions causing high blood fat levels have been linked with early development of heart disease. 

However, a normal cholesterol level does not necessarily mean that you are at no risk from CHD.  Other factors such as smoking, high blood pressure or physical inactivity may play a big part in increasing the risk.

So what should I do to reduce my risk of CHD? 
You can help yourself by cutting down on the amount of saturated fat in your diet.  If you are overweight you should aim to loose weight.  You should give up smoking if you are a smoker and start to do regular exercise such as brisk walking, swimming or cycling.

Should I take drugs to lower my cholesterol levels? 
People with coronary heart disease, familial hyperlipidaemia or who are at a high risk from coronary heart disease may well need to take cholesterol lowering drugs.  The decision to treat cholesterol levels with drugs is made after blood cholesterol levels and the extent of other risk factors for CHD are taken into account.