High cholesterol increases your risk of heart disease and heart attacks.  The first step in reducing your cholesterol is to make lifestyle changes.  There are five main steps that you can take, as described below:

First, lose weight: any extra weight contributes to high cholesterol, even losing as little as 5 to 10 pounds can help reduce cholesterol levels.  You should start by looking at your eating habits and daily routine.

Second, eat heart-healthy foods, making a few changes in your diet can reduce cholesterol and improve your heart health. To do this:

• Choose healthier fats – no more than 10 percent of your daily calories from saturated fat.  You should choose leaner cuts of meat, low-fat dairy and monounsaturated fats — found in olive, peanut and canola oils — for a healthier option.
• Eliminate trans fats: which can be found in fried foods and many commercial baked products, such as cookies, crackers and snack cakes.
• Limit your cholesterol intake. Aim for no more than 300 milligrams (mg) of cholesterol a day — less than 200 mg if you have heart disease. The most concentrated sources of cholesterol include organ meats, egg yolks and whole milk products.
• Select whole grains. Various nutrients found in whole grains promote heart health. Choose whole-grain breads, whole-wheat pasta, whole-wheat flour and brown rice.
• Stock up on fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables are rich in dietary fiber, which can help lower cholesterol.
• Eat foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids can help lower your LDL cholesterol.  This can usually include some types of fish such as salmon, mackerel and herring, along with walnuts, almonds and ground flaxseeds.

Third, get some daily exercise.  Whether you’re overweight or not, exercise can reduce cholesterol. Better yet, moderate physical activity can help raise HDL cholesterol, the “good” cholesterol.  With your doctor’s approval, work up to 30 to 60 minutes of exercise a day.

Fourth, you should quit smoking.  Quitting can improve your HDL cholesterol level and reduce your blood pressure.  Just within 24 hours, your risk of a heart attack decreases. Within one year, your risk of heart disease is half that of a smoker. Within 15 years, your risk of heart disease is similar to someone who never smoked.

Finally, drink alcohol only in moderation.  This means no more than one drink a day for women, and one to two drinks a day for men. Drinking too much alcohol can lead to serious health problems, including high blood pressure, heart failure and stroke.