NationalCholesterolMonth:upto£70offwithCHOL70

Cholesterol is a type of fat in your blood. Most of it is made by your liver, and some comes from food such as red meat, full-fat dairy and fried foods.

It often gets a bad name, but your body needs it. Cholesterol:

Forms part of the outer layer of every cell in your body Helps make vitamin D and steroid hormones, which keep your bones, teeth and muscles healthy Helps make bile, which you need to digest fats

The problem comes when there's too much of the wrong kind. Over time, excess cholesterol can build up in your artery walls, narrowing them and raising your risk of coronary heart disease, heart attack and stroke.

What our data shows about cholesterol

We've run millions of health tests across the UK. For National Cholesterol Month, here's what our results tell us about cholesterol:

• Over half of the people we test have elevated or borderline cholesterol (54.8%)
• More than 1 in 3 first-time customers have a cholesterol flag despite not taking medication for it (35.5%)
• 1 in 3 of the people we've tested have had a high non-HDL cholesterol flag
• 1 in 6 have elevated or borderline triglycerides, another type of blood fat (17.4%)
• Men are more likely than women to have raised cholesterol (57.4% vs 51.2%)
• It rises with age: cholesterol flags go from 39.5% in 18 to 34 year olds to 60.8% in over-55s
• Almost a third of customers have two or more heart and circulation risk factors at the same time (30.7%)

Source: Bluecrest Wellness Health Assessment Data.

The takeaway? Raised cholesterol isn't something that only happens to other people, or only later in life. The only way to know where you stand is to check.

The different types of cholesterol, explained

Cholesterol can't travel through your blood on its own, so it's carried in small parcels of fat and protein called lipoproteins. The type of lipoprotein makes a big difference to your heart health.

LDL cholesterol

Low-density lipoprotein, often called "bad" cholesterol. Too much LDL can lead to a build-up of fatty plaque in your artery walls (atherosclerosis), which can slow or block blood flow and lead to angina, heart attacks and strokes.

HDL cholesterol

High-density lipoprotein, often called "good" cholesterol. HDL helps clear excess cholesterol from your blood vessels and cells, and helps protect your artery walls. Higher HDL is generally linked to better protection against heart disease.

Non-HDL cholesterol

Your total cholesterol minus your HDL. It covers all the "bad" types together, including LDL and VLDL, so the lower it is, the better.

Triglycerides

Another type of blood fat, often carried alongside cholesterol. High levels can add to your risk of heart disease, particularly when combined with other risk factors.

Total cholesterol to HDL ratio (TC:HDL)

Your total cholesterol divided by your HDL. This ratio gives a useful picture of your overall balance, and a lower figure is better.

Here's a general guide for healthy adults. If you already have a condition such as diabetes, your doctor may recommend lower targets.

What affects your cholesterol?

Some things you can change, and some you can't. Knowing both helps you understand your results.

Things you can influence:

• Diet: foods high in saturated fat, like fried food, baked goods and full-fat dairy, can raise LDL cholesterol
• Weight: carrying extra weight tends to raise LDL and lower HDL
• Activity: regular exercise helps manage weight and supports healthier levels
• Smoking: smoking lowers your "good" HDL cholesterol

Things you can't change, but should know about:

• Age: LDL tends to rise as we get older
• Sex: women's LDL levels often rise after menopause
• Family history: high cholesterol can run in families
• Ethnicity: some ethnic groups have a higher risk of high cholesterol
• Other conditions and medicines: conditions such as diabetes and chronic kidney disease, and some medicines, can raise cholesterol

Cholesterol also rarely travels alone. Over half of our customers with a raised BMI or waist measurement (55.5%) also flag for cholesterol, blood pressure or diabetes risk. That's why we look at your heart health as a whole, not one number in isolation.

The good news: your numbers can change

A cholesterol flag isn't a life sentence. With the right information, many people make changes that show up in their next results.

30.5% of our returning customers who had high non-HDL cholesterol were back in the green by their next assessment. And 84% of surveyed customers say they focus on a positive health aim after seeing their results.

Knowing your numbers is the first step. Tracking them over time shows you what's working.

How we check your cholesterol

Every Bluecrest Health MOT includes a cholesterol and advanced diabetes blood profile, alongside a wider look at your heart and circulation.

• Heart and circulation checks, including blood pressure, heart rhythm (ECG), and stroke risk indicators
• Blood health and metabolic screening, cholesterol, diabetes markers, iron levels and key blood markers
• Organ health tests, including liver and kidney function
• Respiratory health checks, lung function screening for COPD risk
• Body health insights, bone health, immune system markers, and biometric analysis
• Your personal Results Report, with clear explanations and colour-coded results
• My Wellness dashboard and app provide access to view and track your results
• 24/7 GP helpline for follow-up questions and support
• Private GP consultation is included with the Complete package to review your results

• Want a baseline overview of your current health
• Have a family history of certain conditions and want to monitor risk
• Are reaching a milestone age and want a proactive check-up
• Have a busy schedule and want a convenient private medical check up
• Want to track your health over time and spot changes early

Both NHS and private checks can help you understand your health, but they work slightly differently.

Private health screening offers faster booking and appointments, a broader range of health markers tested, and a detailed personal results report. You can also choose to include a GP consultation and ongoing support.

Alternatively, NHS health checks are typically only available for certain age groups. They focus on key cardiovascular risk factors, which may miss key tests. Results are usually shared through your GP practice during standard follow-ups.

Both are viable options for individuals requiring a full body health check. A private medical check up can be a convenient option if you want more detailed insights or faster access to screening.