The only way to know your cholesterol levels is to have a cholesterol check which involves a simple blood test.  Your target cholesterol level is individual to you!

• If you have had a heart attack or stroke in the past, your target levels will be lower than someone who has not had a heart attack or stroke. Even if you have been told your cholesterol is not high, it’s important to get it even lower to reduce your risk of having another heart attack or stroke.
• If you have been started on medication to reduce your cholesterol after having a heart attack or stroke, then you should aim to reduce your ‘bad cholesterol’ levels by 40%.
• You can’t get your ‘bad cholesterol’ too low.

People with high cholesterol who have been recommended to bring these levels down, whether or not they have already had a heart attack or stroke, will be advised to make some lifestyle changes.