A total cholesterol level of 5.28 mmol/L is generally considered borderline high or elevated, potentially putting you at a higher risk for heart disease, especially if you have other risk factors, though it's not critically high and a doctor should interpret it alongside your LDL, HDL, triglycerides, age, and health history. Healthy total cholesterol is often considered below 5.0 or 5.2 mmol/L, so 5.28 is slightly above that desirable range but below the clearly high levels (around 6.2 mmol/L or above).
The safe levels of cholesterol to have in your blood can vary depending on a number of factors, including age and family history. Speak to your doctor about what levels are right for you. In general: Total cholesterol levels should be lower than 5.5 mmol/L in adults with no other risk factors for CVD.
A cholesterol/HDL ratio of below 3.5 is optimal and indicates a very low risk for heart disease. Ratios above 5 to 1 are considered high and may mean an elevated risk for heart disease. Talk to your healthcare provider about treatment options.
No, high cholesterol doesn't directly cause headaches, but it can lead to conditions like high blood pressure (hypertension) or atherosclerosis (plaque buildup) that do cause headaches by affecting blood flow to the brain, or sometimes stress/lifestyle factors causing both. While cholesterol itself is often asymptomatic, headaches or dizziness can be warning signs of underlying issues linked to high cholesterol, such as severely elevated blood pressure or poor circulation, so frequent headaches warrant a cholesterol check.
The worst foods for high cholesterol, given their high saturated fat content, include: Red meat, like beef, pork, and lamb, as well as processed meats like sausage. Full-fat dairy, like cream, whole milk, and butter. Baked goods and sweets.
Try to eat more:
The bad cholesterol is called LDL and the good cholesterol is called HDL. When people have high cholesterol their LDL (bad) is high and their HDL (good) is low. Eating healthy, regular exercise and drinking plenty of water will help to bring down cholesterol levels within 2-3 weeks.
There are usually no symptoms of high cholesterol. But if left untreated, it can lead to heart attack and stroke. It's often a hidden risk factor which means it can happen without us knowing until it's too late.
Unhealthy fats
If your risk is very low, you probably won't need a statin, unless your LDL is above 190 mg/dL (4.92 mmol/L ). If your risk is very high — for example, you've had a heart attack in the past — a statin may be helpful even if you don't have high cholesterol.
Exercise can improve cholesterol. Moderate physical activity can help raise high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, the "good" cholesterol. With your doctor's OK, work up to at least 30 minutes of exercise five times a week or vigorous aerobic activity for 20 minutes three times a week.
Are chicken eggs good or bad for my cholesterol? Chicken eggs are an affordable source of protein and other nutrients. They're also naturally high in cholesterol. But the cholesterol in eggs doesn't seem to raise cholesterol levels the way some other foods, such as those high in trans fats and saturated fats, do.
In studies examining coffee's impact on cholesterol, people who experienced increased cholesterol levels were those who drank about five cups or more each day. So, moderation can also be important.
Garlic is gained substantial interest by many researchers because of the its impact on lipid levels. Garlic is discovered has multiple useful cardiovascular effects including reduction in cholesterol and TG, lowering of blood pressure, and enhancement of fibrinolytic activity.
A healthy level of: total cholesterol – is below 5mmol/L. HDL (good cholesterol) – is above 1.0mmol/L for men or above 1.2mmol/L for women. non-HDL (bad cholesterol) – is below 4mmol/L.
Recommended Drinks to Lower Cholesterol
Numbness or Weakness
Poor circulation can make your feet or lower legs feel unusually cold, even in warm weather. Cuts, sores, or bruises on your legs or feet may take longer to heal due to reduced blood supply. The skin on your legs may appear shiny, pale, or bluish. Hair loss on the legs and feet can also occur.
To remove cholesterol from your body, adopt a heart-healthy lifestyle by eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats (like olive oil, nuts, and fish) while reducing saturated/trans fats (fatty meats, fried foods, baked goods) and sugar; get regular exercise (30 mins most days); quit smoking; maintain a healthy weight; and limit alcohol, as these changes boost good HDL cholesterol and lower bad LDL cholesterol, with medication sometimes needed for stubborn cases.
High cholesterol often has no symptoms, but when it causes problems, warning signs include chest pain, shortness of breath, numbness or coldness in limbs, unexplained fatigue, dizziness, headaches, leg pain/cramps, yellowish skin deposits (xanthomas), a grey ring around the iris (corneal arcus), and slow-healing sores/ulcers on feet, indicating poor circulation. These signs often point to related conditions like Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) or heart issues from plaque buildup, but the only sure way to know is a blood test.
Thanks to their naturally high vitamin C levels, lemons are also beneficial in helping to lower blood cholesterol levels. Mixing the juice of two to three lemons in water each day can be enough to lower your low-density lipoprotein (also known as 'bad' cholesterol) and lower the risk of heart disease.
Oatmeal, oat bran and high-fiber foods
Oatmeal has soluble fiber, which reduces your low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, the "bad" cholesterol. Soluble fiber is also found in such foods as kidney beans, Brussels sprouts, apples and pears.
One of the most prescribed cholesterol-lowering medicines are statins. They target specific enzymes in the liver and can start to lower cholesterol levels in 3 to 4 weeks. It is important to keep taking your statin as prescribed to help keep your cholesterol levels in check.
While bananas can be part of a cholesterol-friendly diet, balance and variety are key. Consider these tips for incorporating bananas into a heart-healthy lifestyle: Pair bananas with fiber-rich foods such as oats, nuts, or seeds to enhance cholesterol-lowering benefits.