Diet plays a part in hypercholesterolaemia, as well as other modifiable factors such as smoking and being overweight and/or inactive. Some risk factors for the development of hypercholesterolaemia, such as having diabetes and high blood pressure, need more help in terms of getting them under control, but there are some that cannot be changed. For example, men are more likely to experience the condition than women, there is a genetic link, and a correlation with age.

Medication can be used to help lower cholesterol if lifestyle changes haven’t helped. They include statins, which can help lower the level of LDL cholesterol in the blood, and ezetimibe, which reduces absorption of cholesterol in the intestines.

Someone with hypercholesterolaemia will need to have regular check ups, not just to see if lifestyle modifications and/or treatments are helping, but also to assess their suitability for medication in the first place and then ensure that any drugs used are not causing any problems. The tests may include liver and kidney function checks, thyroid and diabetes assessments, and measuring creatinine kinase to check that muscles are not being affected by the use of statins.