Lifestyle Changes in Managing Hypercholesterolaemia

Making health lifestyle changes is an integral part of lipid management.


• Weight reduction if overweight

• Stop cigarette smoking

• Aerobic exercise at least 3-4 times a week – this lowers LDL, triglycerides and raises HDL

• Dietary:

(i) to lower Total Cholesterol and LDL cholesterol:

- reduce intake of fats, saturated fats and cholesterol-rich foods

- increase proportion of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fat intake


(ii) to raise HDL-cholesterol:

- there is data to suggest that red wine and dark chocolate help raise HDL levels.

• Alcohol restriction in patients with high triglyceride levels.

Medication for Hypercholesterolaemia

The various medication used in treatment of the different types of dyslipidaemia are listed below according to their effects on the different lipid sub-types.