What is cholesterol, and why should you care?
You’ve probably heard people talk about “cholesterol” like it’s a bad thing — but your body actually needs cholesterol to function. The problem is when there’s too much of the wrong kind floating around in your blood.
That’s when it starts to build up in your arteries — quietly — and increases your risk of:
Heart disease
Stroke
High blood pressure
The scary part? You won’t feel it happening.
Good vs Bad Cholesterol — what's the difference?
🟢 HDL (High-Density Lipoprotein) = “Good” cholesterol
It helps remove excess cholesterol from your blood.
🔴 LDL (Low-Density Lipoprotein) = “Bad” cholesterol
Too much of this clogs your arteries like oil in a blocked drain.
🟠 Triglycerides = Another type of fat in your blood — too high, and they also cause damage.
What causes high cholesterol?
- Eating too much saturated or trans fats (fatty meats, takeaways, deep fried foods)
- Lack of physical activity
- Smoking
- Being overweight
- Genetics (family history)
- Medical conditions like diabetes or thyroid problems
How do you know if your cholesterol is high?
You don’t — unless you test it.
That’s why a cholesterol check is part of any good health screening.
🩺 At Netclinic, we offer quick, affordable cholesterol tests alongside your blood pressure and sugar checks.
How to lower your cholesterol naturally
🥑 Make better fat choices
Swap:
- Deep-fried for grilled or air-fried
- Fatty cuts of meat for lean chicken or fish
- Butter for avocado or peanut butter
🍳 Add fibre to your meals
Fibre helps lower bad cholesterol.
Try:
- Oats for breakfast
- Brown rice instead of white
- Lentils, beans, spinach, apples, oranges
🚶 Move more
30 minutes of movement, 5 days a week, helps raise good cholesterol (HDL) and lower bad.
Walk. Stretch. Dance. Clean. Just move.
🚭 Quit smoking
Stopping improves your cholesterol and heart health — fast.
🧘 Manage stress
Chronic stress messes with your blood pressure and cholesterol. Try breathing exercises, journaling, prayer, or quiet time.
When lifestyle isn’t enough
Sometimes, no matter how healthy you eat, your cholesterol stays high — especially if it runs in your family. In these cases, medication might be needed.
But lifestyle changes still matter — medication works best when combined with healthy habits.
Netclinic is here to help
We’ll help you:
Check your cholesterol levels
Understand your numbers
Make simple, doable lifestyle changes
Track your progress over time
Don’t wait for a scare to check your numbers. A 10-minute visit to Netclinic could give you the knowledge — and power — to protect your heart for years to come.
