Cholesterol gets a lot of bad publicity, and most people are surprised to find out that cholesterol is actually an integral part of our overall health.
Did you know that cholesterol is produced naturally in our body? But, as we know, cholesterol is not all good, and it’s also not all bad.
Eating foods that are low in cholesterol and saturated fats, getting regular exercise, and managing your weight can also lower the risks of heart disease and stroke, two leading causes of death in the UK. Getting a cholesterol blood test and knowing your cholesterol status can help you stay in control of your health.
If you live in the greater London area, come to Anna Pharmacy for a cholesterol blood test in Carshalton or visit one of our other branches that’s close to home.
What is Cholesterol and What Does it Do?
Cholesterol plays an integral role in the body. It is a waxy repair substance found in all cells that is responsible for repairing damaged tissue in the body and is produced in the liver, then released into the bloodstream and swiftly passed to parts of the body that need repair.
Over time cholesterol can accumulate in your arteries and restrict the flow of blood and oxygen to and from your heart – thus causing heart disease or even causing a stroke.
Thecauses of high cholesterol can be attributed toeating too many foods that are high in cholesterol, saturated fats, and trans fats. Other factors that can contribute to high cholesterol include obesity, genetics, diabetes, hypothyroidism, inactivity, and smoking.
Schedule your cholesterol blood test in Hackbridge or our other South London locations today.
Types of Cholesterol
There are two types of cholesterol – LDL (low-density lipoprotein) and HDL (high-density lipoprotein). Learn your LDL and LDL levels with a cholesterol blood test in Croydon at Anna Pharmacy.
LDL
“Bad” cholesterol, LDL (low-density lipoprotein), can damage arterial walls and it later becomes calcified which narrows blood passages.
HDL
“Good” cholesterol HDL (high-density lipoprotein), keeps your cardiovascular system healthy and removes LDL from arteries. By carrying bad cholesterol back to your liver, it breaks it down and eliminates it from your body.
Scheduling your blood test in Wallington can tell you if you need to make any lifestyle changes to manage cholesterol levels.
Anna Pharmacy Group offers cholesterol blood tests in Sutton, Carshalton, Hackbridge, Wallington & Croydon. Contact any of our branches and speak to our knowledgeable, professional, and friendly staff of pharmacists for information on healthy cholesterol levels.