Ampath Diagnostic Guide | Pathology solutions are in our DNA
What is Cholesterol and Why Does it Matter?
A high cholesterol level in your bloodstream can clog arteries, potentially leading to a heart attack or stroke.
🫀 Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)
CAD refers to conditions affecting the arteries of the heart, such as:
- Heart attacks
- Angina (chest pain)
Did You Know?
- High cholesterol is a major risk factor in coronary artery disease
- Even moderately elevated cholesterol levels double the risk of CAD
- A high cholesterol level increases your risk by four times
- If your cholesterol is high, consult your doctor to reduce your risk
How to Lower Your Risk of CAD
Reduce your risk factors in consultation with your doctor. Key risk factors include:
🔴 Main Risk Factors:
- High blood cholesterol
- High blood pressure
- Smoking
- Premature menopause (especially without hormone replacement therapy)
🟠 Additional Risk Factors:
- Family history of heart disease
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Lack of physical activity
How to Counteract the Risk Factors
Make the following lifestyle changes:
- ✅ Change your diet
- ✅ Quit smoking
- ✅ Control your blood pressure
- ✅ Lose excess weight
- ✅ Exercise regularly
Your Diet Matters
Diet plays a key role in managing cholesterol—although medication may also be necessary.
Understanding how different foods impact your cholesterol is essential.
⚠️ Limit these:
Foods high in cholesterol:
- Eggs
- Full-cream dairy products
- Red meat
- Shrimps and prawns
- Kidneys and liver
Foods high in saturated fats:
- Animal fats (lamb, pork, beef)
- Processed meats
- Full-cream milk
- Hard margarine
- Coconut oil
- Butter and cheese
- Cakes and biscuits
🧠 Your daily intake of cholesterol should not exceed 300 mg.
✅ Choose these instead:
Foods with little/no cholesterol or saturated fat:
- Potatoes
- Bread
- Pasta
- Cereals and grains
- Fruits and vegetables
Healthy fat alternatives (unsaturated fats):
- Sunflower oil
- Soft tub margarine
- Avocado
- Oily fish (e.g. salmon, sardines)
Healthy Food Preparation Tips
The way food is prepared also influences cholesterol levels. Reduce your risk by:
- Trimming visible fat from meat
- Roasting, steaming, or grilling instead of frying
- Avoiding mayonnaise-based dressings
- Using less oil or fat during cooking
📍 For lab tests and cholesterol monitoring, visit your nearest Ampath care centre.
🌐 www.ampath.co.za