Overview
- Experts reiterate that HDL carries cholesterol to the liver for removal, while LDL deposits it in arteries and raises cardiovascular risk.
- People over 40, those who are overweight, or with a family history are urged to get a blood or finger‑prick test and to pair results with a QRISK assessment.
- First-line steps focus on unsaturated fats from oily fish, soy-based legumes and nuts, plus soluble‑fibre foods such as oats and legumes that reduce cholesterol absorption.
- Guidance advises limiting saturated, fried, fast and highly processed foods, with broader habits like exercise, smoking cessation, adequate sleep and moderated alcohol shaping overall risk.
- When lifestyle changes fall short, statins remain widely used and effective, inclisiran is effective yet harder to obtain through GPs, and coconut oil remains contested with extra‑virgin olive oil preferred.