Steve Brine took part in National Cholesterol Week on Wednesday 15 September as HEART UK took its message on the importance of knowing your cholesterol to Westminster.
The nation’s leading cholesterol charity, organisers of the UK’s first National Cholesterol Week, set up cholesterol testing within the Palace of Westminster and Mr Brine had his cholesterol tested.
Steve said: “I am pleased to support HEART UK’s National Cholesterol Week. Heart disease is still the biggest killer in the UK and high cholesterol levels also greatly increase your chance of suffering a stroke. A quick and painless test can provide an invaluable early warning which for some could literally be a lifeline so I would urge local people to contact their GP and get tested.
“While my current cholesterol levels are within safe range, my test flagged up some mildly worrying signs of trouble ahead so it was something of a wake-up call for me and I will now be seeking advice on my diet and making some changes to my lifestyle.”
This Parliamentary Reception, sponsored by Welch’s Purple Grape Juice, was organised by HEART UK in conjunction with Chris Ruane MP, Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Heart Disease. Aldo Zilli, the celebrity chef, also attended this event in his role as Ambassador to HEART UK. The author of Zilli Light and the owner of several renowned restaurants in London, he has lost several members of his family to problems associated with high cholesterol and so is a keen supporter of the work of HEART UK.
Speaking at the event, Mr Zilli said: “I am delighted to be here this afternoon supporting HEART UK’s National Cholesterol Week. I am determined to raise awareness of the problems of too much cholesterol. Many people don’t fully understand how important it is to keep cholesterol in check or how to do it. People need to look at what they are putting into their bodies. Remember you only have one body and one heart.”
Cholesterol is a waxy substance that is found naturally in the body, but high levels of it can cause the arteries to narrow. Not only does this force the heart to work harder to pump the blood around the body but if arteries that feed the heart become completely blocked the heart can become starved of oxygen resulting in a heart attack. Cholesterol is measured in units called millimoles per litre of blood (mmol/L). According to guidelines laid out by the Joint British Societies, we should aim for a total cholesterol level under 5 mmol/l in order to keep our hearts healthy and an LDL cholesterol of less than 3mmol/l.
For further information on National Cholesterol Week, including an information pack supported by Shredded Wheat, please contact National Cholesterol Week Co-Ordinators Diana Butler or Rachael Gardiner on 01784 780093 or email Rachael at [email protected].