1. Key Facts High cholesterol levels in the blood increase the risk of heart disease and can cause high blood pressure. There are two types of cholesterol. 1. Low-density lipoproteins (LDLs) are tiny balls of cholesterol and protein. They carry cholesterol from your liver to your cells. When there are too many plaque forms in artery walls which reduces blood flow to the heart. 2. High-density lipoproteins (HDLs) are important for a health heart and they carry the extra cholesterol your heart doesn’t need back to your liver Saturated fats increase bad cholesterol. Mono- and polyunsaturated fats reduce bad cholesterol levels High cholesterol levels in the blood increase the risk of heart disease and can cause high blood pressure. There are two types of cholesterol. 1. Low-density lipoproteins (LDLs) are tiny balls of cholesterol and protein. They carry cholesterol from your liver to your cells. When there are too many plaque forms in artery walls which reduces blood flow to the heart. 2. High-density lipoproteins (HDLs) are important for a health heart and they carry the extra cholesterol your heart doesn’t need back to your liver Saturated fats increase bad cholesterol. Mono- and polyunsaturated fats reduce bad cholesterol levels

2. What it does to the heart Coronary arteries Area of heart muscle affected by the diseased artery Fat builds up in the artery walls, reducing the diameter of the artery

3. Cholesterol in the arteries

4. Statins If cholesterol intake in the diet is too low, the liver starts to make cholesterol. Genes may cause some people’s liver to make too much cholesterol, and even a good diet fails to reduce their blood cholesterol. Instead, they can take statins, drugs that inhibit the enzymes involved in making cholesterol Statin tablets help anyone liable to a heart attack from high blood pressure, and people can now buy them in chemists. If cholesterol intake in the diet is too low, the liver starts to make cholesterol. Genes may cause some people’s liver to make too much cholesterol, and even a good diet fails to reduce their blood cholesterol. Instead, they can take statins, drugs that inhibit the enzymes involved in making cholesterol Statin tablets help anyone liable to a heart attack from high blood pressure, and people can now buy them in chemists.

5. Task Read the Statin information cards Make a table with evidence for the use of statins and against the use of statins Read the Statin information cards Make a table with evidence for the use of statins and against the use of statins

7. Self assessment question Grade D/C Q1: Which kind of cholesterol should you have more of in your blood – LDLs or HDLs? Why? Grade B/A* Q2: Explain why the only way for some people to lower their blood cholesterol level is by taking statins.

8. Task: Which foods are best?