I recently had a routine blood test and was told my cholesterol is higher than it should be. My GP has suggested making lifestyle changes first before considering medication.
I’m trying to improve my diet and exercise more, but there’s so much conflicting advice online about what actually works. Some people recommend the Mediterranean diet, while others suggest cutting carbs or taking supplements.
Has anyone successfully lowered their cholesterol through lifestyle changes alone, or did you eventually need medication? I’d also appreciate any reliable resources that explain the different treatment options in a straightforward way.
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I managed to improve mine quite a bit with lifestyle changes, although it took a few months before I saw a noticeable difference. I switched to more of a Mediterranean-style diet, cut down on saturated fats, started eating more oats, beans and vegetables, and made sure I was walking most days. My cholesterol improved, but my GP also explained that if it hadn’t come down enough, medication would have been the next step.
I think it really depends on your starting cholesterol level, family history and overall cardiovascular risk. For some people, lifestyle changes are enough, while others still need statins despite doing everything right.
If you’re looking for a straightforward guide, I found this one useful because it explains both lifestyle measures and the different treatment options, including statins such as atorvastatin, rosuvastatin and pravastatin, and when they’re typically prescribed:
Hopefully your next blood test shows an improvement. Even small lifestyle changes can make a real difference over time.