Every February the UK marks National Heart Month.
It’s a campaign that raises awareness of a variety of health conditions directly related to cardiovascular disease, and promotes healthy living measures such as diet and exercise that can lower risks.
What is high cholesterol?
We all need some cholesterol in our blood to stay healthy, but too much can lead to serious health problems such as heart attacks and strokes. 
Cholesterol levels can be affected by several factors including lifestyle, diet, genetics and health conditions such as diabetes. Anyone can have high cholesterol, even if you are young, slim, eat well and exercise because it can be a genetic condition.
Cholesterol can clog up the arteries that carry blood around the body, making them narrower and causing blood clots. If the arteries become clogged up, the blood does not flow as easily and this can lead to a range of cardiovascular diseases. The image to the right shows how fatty deposits can narrow the artery.
High cholesterol is very common, but most people don’t know they have it because it doesn’t usually have any symptoms. That’s why everyone should have a cholesterol check. There are treatments available for high cholesterol, but it’s usually possible to lower cholesterol naturally with healthy lifestyle changes.
Visit Heart UK to find out more about how you can get involved: Heart Month February 2026 | HEART UK