Review your diet

According to Eating Well, adjusting your diet is one of the first steps to take after learning you have high cholesterol. Patients should reduce foods high in saturated and trans fats, such as fatty meats, organ meats, pastries, fried foods, and processed items.

Prioritize fish, lean meats, beans, and nuts. Use vegetable oils in appropriate amounts, and increase your intake of green vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. Soluble fiber found in oats, beans, apples, and some root vegetables helps reduce cholesterol absorption in the intestines.

Patients should not interpret "high cholesterol" as a complete avoidance of fats or fasting. The body still requires fats for many functions; the key is to choose good fat sources like avocados, chia seeds, and fatty fish, and to control portion sizes.

Eating fiber-rich foods helps control cholesterol. Photo: Tam Anh General Hospital

Manage weight if overweight

Being overweight, especially with significant abdominal fat accumulation, is often associated with metabolic disadvantages. If you are overweight or obese, losing some body weight through a balanced diet and exercise can help control cholesterol. Those losing weight should avoid extreme diets, instead making gradual adjustments, such as reducing sugary drinks and increasing daily physical activity.

Quit smoking, limit alcohol

Smoking damages blood vessel walls and increases cardiovascular risk, while heavy alcohol consumption can elevate triglycerides (a type of fat) and cause other health disadvantages. Therefore, individuals with high cholesterol should quit smoking if they currently do, and limit alcohol, according to WebMD.

Get enough sleep

Insufficient sleep or inconsistent sleep schedules can affect hormone regulation, hunger and satiety signals, and energy metabolism, making weight management challenging. Individuals with high cholesterol should maintain a regular sleep schedule, avoid staying up late, and try to go to bed and wake up at relatively fixed times each day. Ensure the bedroom is quiet, dark, and avoid electronic devices close to bedtime.

Discuss causes and treatment goals with your doctor

Patients should discuss their cholesterol levels and overall cardiovascular risk with their doctor to determine the target LDL-cholesterol level. Depending on the individual case, doctors may set different goals; those with existing cardiovascular disease or in high-risk groups typically require stricter control.

Patients should also ask their doctor when to recheck their lipid levels and what signs to watch for during treatment. If any family members have experienced high cholesterol or cardiovascular disease at a young age, this information should be provided to the doctor for a more comprehensive assessment.

Le Nguyen (Compiled)