You should be reading this webpage if you have received an SMS/text message from Calsayseat Medical Group.
You have received this message because the results of your recent blood test show that you blood cholesterol level is higher than the recommended range (3.4 – 5.2), although not at a level where we would recommend drug treatment. As a high cholesterol increases your risk of heart and vascular disease it is important you make a few changes to your diet to lower this reading and also provide you with other general health benefits.
Please have a look at the link below:
High cholesterol – How to lower your cholesterol – NHS (www.nhs.uk) the main things to try and achieve are:
- HAVE AT LEAST five portions, and ideally 7-9 portions, of a variety of fruit and vegetables per day.
- THE BULK OF MOST MEALS should be starch-based foods (such as cereals, wholegrain bread, potatoes, rice, pasta), plus fruit and vegetables.
- NOT MUCH fatty food such as fatty meats, cheeses, full-cream milk, fried food, butter, etc. Use low fat, mono-, or poly-unsaturated spreads.
- INCLUDE 2-3 portions of fish per week. At least one of which should be ‘oily’.
- LIMIT SALT to no more than 6 g a day (and less for children).
- If you eat meat it is best to eat lean meat, or poultry such as chicken.
- If you do fry, choose a vegetable oil such as sunflower, rapeseed or olive oil
Hopefully, with this change in diet, your blood cholesterol will improve and we would recommend that arrange to have a repeat blood cholesterol reading with the nurses in 4 months time. In the meantime, should you have any further questions please contact us at the surgery.
