Cholesterol is a fatty substance that is found in all cells of your body. The body actually uses cholesterol to carry out a few processes like digest food and make vitamin D, but it can produce all the cholesterol it needs. LDL (low density lipoproteins/bad cholesterol) and HDL (high density lipoproteins/good cholesterol) carry cholesterol around your body.
Having a high number of LDL leads to build-up that increases your risk factors for many conditions including heart disease, strokes, and atherosclerosis (narrowing of your arteries due to a build up of cholesterol). There are many conditions that can cause high cholesterol including an unhealthy diet, inactive lifestyle, smoking and high blood pressure; it can also be hereditary. It is therefore important to have a higher number of HDL and a low number of LDL.
If you fall under any one of these categories, it is highly recommended to carry out regular cholesterol checks.
- Overweight or obese
- Over 40 years old
- Suffer from high blood pressure or diabetes
- Underlying medical condition
- Been diagnosed with coronary heart disease or have suffered strokes
- You are a smoker
At Dermacia Pharmacy, we can measure your cholesterol levels very easily with a simple blood test. At the end of the test we will also offer advice and measures you can take to reduce your cholesterol, or if needed suggest further investigation from your GP. Monitoring and treating high cholesterol can go a long way to prevent future complications, so come get your cholesterol check at our Pharmacy in Islington (North London) and take the first step to a healthier lifestyle.