Our lifestyle habits play an important role in how well we live. While some health concerns are more visible, silent killers like high cholesterol should always be kept an eye on because it can have serious health issues. Keeping an eye on your cholesterol levels is really important for your health. Too much of this fatty substance in your body can be dangerous because it might block blood vessels, potentially leading to a life-threatening stroke or heart attack. Interestingly, your eyes might give you a clue if your cholesterol is too high. Yellow Bumps Around Your Eyes The American Association of Ophthalmology points out that if you start to see "yellow bumps around the eyes," this could be a sign of dangerously high cholesterol. These bumps are known as xanthelasma, and if you notice them, you should see a doctor right away. That's because xanthelasma can sometimes be an early warning sign of three very serious eye conditions: age-related macular degeneration, retinal vein occlusion, and corneal arcus. The good news is a simple blood test can check your cholesterol levels, and your doctor or nurse can discuss the results with you. Understanding Your Cholesterol Numbers When you get your cholesterol tested, the results usually include: Total cholesterol: This is the overall amount of cholesterol.HDL (high-density lipoprotein) cholesterol: Often called "good" cholesterol.Non-HDL cholesterol: This is the "bad" cholesterol, and it's a key number to watch.For a healthy person, a healthy total cholesterol reading should be below 5mmol/L. Your HDL (the good kind) should be above 1mmol/L. Most importantly, your non-HDL reading should ideally be below 4mmol/L. Your doctor might also give you a QRISK score, which estimates your risk of developing a heart or circulation problem over the next 10 years. How Does High Cholesterol Affect Your Health? According to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention having too much cholesterol in your blood can cause a sticky substance called "plaque" to build up on the inside walls of your arteries. Arteries are like pipes that carry blood from your heart to the rest of your body. Over time, as more plaque builds up, these arteries get narrower. This narrowing makes it harder for blood to flow freely to and from your heart and other important organs. When blood flow to the heart is blocked, it can cause chest pain (also called angina) or even a heart attack. This cholesterol buildup in your arteries can also greatly increase your risk for heart disease and stroke, which are serious health problems. What Puts You At Risk of High Cholesterol?Some health problems, like type 2 diabetes and obesity, can raise your risk for high cholesterol. Your daily habits also play a big part. Eating foods high in unhealthy fats (called saturated and trans fats) and not moving your body enough can also increase your risk. For some people, high cholesterol runs in their family, meaning they're more likely to get it too. All these things that increase your chances are called "risk factors." You can't change some risk factors, like your age or your family history. But you can take steps to lower your risk by changing the things you can control, like your diet and how active you are. Simple Ways to Lower Cholesterol The good news is that making small changes to your diet can significantly improve your cholesterol levels. For example, instead of choosing items like meat pies or sausages, try to eat oily fish such as mackerel and salmon. You can still enjoy familiar meals; for instance, swap a meat pie for salmon served with mashed potatoes and peas. Also, opt for brown rice instead of white rice, whole grain bread instead of white bread, and wholewheat pasta. When you're looking for snacks, choose healthier options like nuts, seeds, and fruit instead of cakes and biscuits. Beyond diet, it's also crucial to move your body for at least 20 minutes every day. This could be a brisk walk, swimming, cycling, or playing a sport. The key is to find activities you enjoy, as you're much more likely to stick with them if you do!