Lowering your cholesterol guide

How to lower your cholesterol

Eat less fatty food

To reduce your cholesterol, try to cut down on fatty food, especially food that contains a type of fat called saturated fat. You can still have foods that contain a healthier type of fat called unsaturated fat. Check labels on food to see what type of fat it has in it.

Exercise more

Aim to do at least 150 minutes (2.5 hours) of exercise each week. Some good things to try when starting out include:

• walking – try to walk fast enough so your heart starts beating faster
• swimming
• cycling

Try a few different exercises to find something you like doing. You're more likely to keep doing it if you enjoy it.

Stop smoking

Smoking can raise your cholesterol and make you more likely to have serious problems like heart attacks, strokes and cancer.

If you want to stop smoking, you can get help and support from:

• your GP
• the NHS Stop Smoking Service – your GP can refer you or you can ring the helpline on 0300 123 1044  (England only). They can give you useful tips and advice about ways to stop cravings.

Cut down on alcohol

Try to:

• avoid drinking more than 14 units of alcohol per week
• have several drink free days each week
• avoid drinking lots of alcohol in a short time (binge drinking). 

Our patients matter

Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust listens and responds to patients and their carers to help improve the services we deliver.

If you have any comments, compliments or concerns you can speak with a member of staff or contact our Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) and Complaints Team.

Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust
V7 Building
Kings Business Park
Prescot
Merseyside
L34 1PJ

Telephone: 0151 471 2377 - freephone: 0800 328 2941

Email: palsandcomplaints@merseycare.nhs.uk