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Heart problems are the immediate thing that comes into mind when one thinks of the perils that high blood cholesterol could bring. But the good news is that there are ways to safeguard your heart in this area though it will require some effort on your end.

A lot of that would include an effort to try and lower your bad cholesterol (LDL) and raise your good ones (HDL) which can all be done by simple but wiser lifestyle choices. The earlier a person does it, the better.

Time will be crucial in the process though there is no way to fast-track the process. It could start from days to weeks or even months. But the thing is that if one wants to shift to a healthier lifestyle and avoid the risks involved with one’s heart, small steps can make a big difference in the end.

For some, medicine may be needed to make the necessary changes to their cholesterol levels. But this would all depend on the assessments made by physicians. The thing here is that one does not need a doctor to tell them to act now. They can do so with simple steps which greatly diminishes the dosage of possible medication should it be required.

Here are some of the things one can resort to via WebMD:

1. Trim down.

Weight is a problem everyone has to deal with, particularly those who are overweight. Diets are easily the best way to go but actually carrying it out is the challenge. It may be something hard for folks who have been used to eating at will. But if the future is important, cutting down on food intake (particularly the ones that loads up your body with calories) should go a long way in slicing your LDL.

2. Burn those calories

Diets are nothing without exercise, a reason why doing it at least 2 ½ hours a week could make a difference. For people who want to add some bonuses such as looking fit and prim, upping the frequence of exercise would be best. Aside from sporting a fit form, it also helps bring up the HDL levels while lowering the LDL and triglycerides in the process.

3. Healthy eating

When dieting, fiber-rich food like oatmeal or prunes should help in the cholesterol absorption of the human body. It is something that can help drop the LDL in the process though it is advisable not to overdo it. Too much fiber could lead to abdominal cramps so it is advisable to take in incrementally up to a point that your body accepts it.

Aside from fiber, eating fish and using olive oil instead of butter is another way to go. Fish has always been known to provide good perks to the body, something one could consider eating two to four times a week.

Olive oil on the other hand could be a better recourse than butter. Such could reduce LDL by as much as 15% where the ‘good’ fats in olive oil can eventually account for a good heart.

4. Take some time out

People under a lot of stress not only give themselves headaches but cholesterol rising as well. By taking it easy and relaxing, cholesterol levels should be kept in check.

5. Kick the habit

Smoking has always been known to be a prime culprit when it comes to the heart so it seems like a no-brainer to tell people to quit it. It may not be easy to do, particularly for the ones who have been addicted to nicotine but there are ways to kick the habit. Good cholesterol has been proven to increase once folks negate smoking.