What You Need To Know About Cholesterol

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT CHOLESTEROL THERE ARE TWO MAIN TYPES OF CHOLESTEROL ABNORMAL LDLbad 'good CHOLESTEROL LEVELS HDL Known as Known as (measured in millimoles per litre) Would be. • Picks up excess cholesterol in the blood • Takes it to the liver where it is broken down • Helps prevent blockages Reduces risk of heart • High levels in bloodstream are dangerous • Can lead to fatty deposits in arteries • Increases the risk of heart attack • Increases the risk of heart disease TOTAL CHOLESTEROL>55 mmol/L disease CHOLESTEROL IN AUSTRALIA The proportion of people with high cholesterol levels 2011-12 INCREASE WITH AGE 1 in 3 47.8% AUSTRALIANS 18 YEARS AND OVER had abnormal or before decreasing in late adulthood high total cholesterol levels Heart IN 2011-12 Foundation PRODUCED THE FOLLOWING GEOGRAPHICAL STATS 29.8% 30.8% i 31.0% 34.7% Major Cities 35.0% 俗 38.1 % 32.3% Inner Regional % High cholesterol by state/territory 36.7% 33.2% 31.6% 39.4% Outer Regional and Remote 5 TIPS TO REDUCE CHOLESTEROL Exercise regularly (e.g. at least 30 mins of walking daily). Exercise helps increase HDL Include plant sterol enriched foods and drinks as part of a healthy eating plan Limit your alcohol intake Lose any excess body fat. Being overweight may contribute to raised triglyceride and LDL levels Don't smoke. Smoking increases the ability of LDL cholesterol to enter artery cells and cause damage to no more than one or two drinks a day levels and reduce LDL levels HEART HEALTHY FOODS FRESH FRUITS AND PLANT STEROL WHOLE GRAINS VEGETABLES ENRICHED FOODS Heart Active Sources: Australian Bureau of Statistics Australian Institute of Health and Welfare National Heart Foundation of Australia 55-64 years