Cholesterol facts - CSIRO

Cholesterol facts - CSIRO: "Cholesterol is an essential type of fat that is carried in the blood but too much of it is a risk factor for coronary artery disease. Managing your cholesterol by maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle can help reduce your cholesterol levels. What is cholesterol? Cholesterol is an essential type of fat that is carried in the blood. All cells in the body need cholesterol for internal and external membranes. It is also needed to produce some hormones and for other functions. Too much cholesterol in the blood can damage your arteries and lead to heart disease. About ¾ of the cholesterol in your bodies is made in the liver and the rest may come from the types of fats we eat. Your genes will also partly determine what your blood cholesterol levels are as will your diet and lifestyle. Cholesterol itself in food has only a very small effect on blood cholesterol. However eating too much saturated fat may lead to excess cholesterol in the blood stream. Why is high cholesterol a problem? High blood cholesterol is one risk factor for coronary artery disease (heart attacks and angina). If your cholesterol level is 6.5 mmol/L or greater your risk of heart disease is about four times greater than that of a person with a cholesterol level of 4 mmol/L. Not all people with high cholesterol levels get heart disease. About 30 per cent of the community will die from heart disease and most of these will be over 65 years old. Heart disease usually takes 60-70 years to develop, but if you discover your cholesterol level is high you should see your doctor within the next 2-3 months, not necessarily tomorrow. Other risk factors for heart disease include smoking, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and obesity. If you have more risk factors it is even more important to keep blood cholesterol levels in check and seek your doctor’s advice."