Is 'high' cholesterol actually a thing?

I wonder how many millions of people have been told they have 'high' cholesterol; are you one of them? If you have a condition known as familial hypercholesterolaemia, then this may be a fair statement, but this only applies to around 1 in 250 people in the UK.

'High' or 'Higher'

The reality is that most people who are told they have 'high' cholesterol in fact just have 'higher' cholesterol than someone with a lower value. This may seem a trivial distinction but it is not; it manipulates perception in a very subtle way. If you believe your cholesterol is 'high', you will be more open to taking a drug to lower the value, particularly if you believe that the more cholesterol you have, the greater your risk of developing heart disease.

Do I have 'high' cholesterol?

My cholesterol averages around 7mmol/L (~270 mg/dL). Is it high? Well, a GP would tell me it is but the reality is that it is perfectly normal. It is certainly 'higher' than the arbitrary average value calculated for males in the UK population, but this number is irrelevant to me as an individual. My body doesn't need some average value of cholesterol (or lower) to be healthy, it needs what it needs.

What about your cholesterol level?

If you are concerned or confused about your cholesterol level and how it relates to your health, along with other metrics such as LDL, HDL, Triglycerides, and so forth, you are not unique; many others are in the same boat. Do book a chat if you would like me to look at your numbers and help put them in context for you.

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