This topic is one on which there is so much good material on the web that to embark on a thorough explanation here would be superfluous. Also we use the topic high cholesterol as a demonstration on how you can use the internet to research your disease (also refer www searches page)

A high cholesterol level damages arterial walls with a thick deposit of LDL cholesterol much like rust in a water pipe. Primarily the damage is seen in the arteries of the heart, brain, the carotid arteries in the neck and also the kidneys. Respectively this leads to heart attacks, strokes and severe renal impairment. Lowering cholesterol sufficiently can prevent these diseases in most people

We suggest you follow the hyperlinks below to see the need to control your cholesterol level. In the first group you will be going to American sites. They use a different measurement for cholesterol

	Australia	USA
Total cholesterol level must be below	5.0	218
The average person should be below	4.5	200
Desired level if you are on cholesterol lowering drugs or have had coronary artery surgery stenting etc	4.0	175

 

For people who have had coronary artery surgery, stenting or balloon dilatation we are aiming for an LDL of 2.0 or less. LDL cholesterol is the low density type of cholesterol that permeates into the wall of an artery and causes blockage - just like rust in a water pipe

If you cant control your cholesterol level with diet and exercise then you most likely need medication, a point which we will discuss with you.

Go to:

Mayo Clinic Experts discuss cholesterol (includes self knowledge quizzes)

www.cholesterol.com non pharmaceutical site

www.lipitor.com 

www.zocor.com

The following were not found by internet search routines but because they are Australian they are included here:

www.heartfoundation.com.au

www.general.uwa.edu.au/u/aas