High cholesterol is caused by different things – some things you can change and some you can’t

Things you can’t change which can mean you are more likely to develop high cholesterol include age, gender and family background

However, there are many things that you can change to take steps to lower your cholesterol:

• • Reducing the amount of saturated fats that you eat
  • Stop smoking
  • Being more physically active
  • Keeping your weight down and reducing excess body fat, especially if you carry this around your middle
  • Reducing alcohol intake if you drink more than is recommended

Some people who have been advised they need to reduce their cholesterol, may be offered medication in combination with making changes to their diet, stopping smoking and being more active.  Statins are the most widely used medicine to manage the amount of cholesterol in your blood.