National Cholesterol Month

National Cholesterol Month takes place every October.  This year it will focus on raising awareness of developing healthy habits as part of their ‘Great Cholesterol Challenge’.

So what is cholesterol?

For those that don’t know, it’s a waxy substance that clogs the arteries and cause them to narrow.   This forces the heart to work extra hard and if the arteries become completely blocked, this can result in a heart attack.

There will be various activities taking place every day during the awareness month.  However, the events for 2018 have not been posted on the website yet, but keep checking.

But … while you are waiting for this year’s National Cholesterol Month events why don’t you join up to one of the many challenges to help HEART UK raise vital funds.

HEART UK are spreading the word to let as many people as possible know about the dangers of inherited high cholesterol (IHC).   Their aim is to save lives and “keep young hearts running”.

So … it’s all about raising awareness because once IHC is diagnosed it is fairly easy to treat with a healthy diet, plenty of exercise and medication.  Lifestyle changes – including a healthy diet and more exercise are something that we should all aspire to!

However, for many reasons it’s not always easy for everyone to increase activity.  So try to be creative!  If I’ve had a sedentary day I’ll park my car further from the shops so I need to walk a bit further to ensure I increase my daily step count.  And, where possible I will always take the stairs, rather than the lift!  It all helps!

If you want to get involved and help raise awareness during National Cholesterol Month all you have to do is order one of the fundraising packs.  And for more information on cholesterol, go to the National Cholesterol Month website.