When LDL or “bad” cholesterol builds on the walls of the arteries, inflammatory substances are released in the body which can hike the risk of a heart attack.
As a general guide, the NHS recommends that total cholesterol levels should be 5mmol/L or less for healthy adults.
In the UK, three out of five adults have total cholesterol levels of 5mmol/L.The NHS says high cholesterol is mainly caused by eating fatty food, not exercising enough, being overweight, smoking and drinking alcohol.
“You can lower your cholesterol by eating healthily and getting more exercise. Some people also need to take medicine,” it says.