i am 52 years old, my cholesterol level is 4.0 is this high and am i at risk?

[florentina]

[Mike262]

Basically no, I have been advised by my GP that cardiologists like it to be down below 4 now so you haven't got far to go. This should be achievable by modifying your diet - reduce cheese, pastry, crisps etc high in fat. Try oat bran on your cereal in the morning and go to 1% fat milk and reduce your salt and sugar intake whilst you are at it. Hope that helps?

[florentina in reply to Mike262]

thank you very much for your comment and advise Mike- i do appreciated this. i really need to change my diet ......

[Rueben]

hi florentina

I am slightly older than you and have had a cardiac event. For people who have had a cardiac event Gp's tend to quote the NICE(National Institute for Clinical Excellence) guideline of a total Chol level of 5 whereas the Cardiovascular Society recommend a total chol of 4. Mike is spot on. As well as your total chol level you need to be aware of it's make up. i.e HDL(good cholesterol), LDL(bad cholesterol) and triglycerides. A total chol level of 4 is my goal, i am currently on 4.5. Hope this helps also.

[Aliwally]

Hi,

Presume you mean your total cholesterol is 4 not your LDL. If it's 4 and you haven't had a cardiac " event" your levels are fantastically good , don't alter a thing.

I have a thing about worrying perfectly healthy people about their cholesterol levels.

[2squirrels]

As far as I know 4.5 is when they start to keep a check on your cholesterol but if it stays there that is fine.