If you have not undergone a cholesterol check in the past five years, or if you have a family history of heart problems, early strokes or elevated cholesterol levels, it is essential to take the right steps to manage your heart health.

High cholesterol often presents no symptoms, yet it can be influenced by genetics, diet or age. Lifestyle modifications such as maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, and following a balanced diet can effectively manage cholesterol levels, but some individuals may require additional intervention.

Keeping your cholesterol in check is vital for maintaining a healthy heart and preventing the risk of strokes, vascular problems and heart attacks.

The only way to check your cholesterol levels is to contact your GP who will take a blood test and if necessary, discuss the options for treatment. Improving cholesterol management presents a huge opportunity to save lives, prevent disability and reduce health inequalities.

In 2021, research found that among adults aged 16 to 44, men (53%) were more likely than women (46%) to have raised cholesterol. In older age groups, the prevalence of raised cholesterol was higher among women – 77% of women aged 45 to 64 and 65% aged 65 and over had raised cholesterol. Among men, 67% aged 45 to 64 and 48% of those aged 65 and over had raised cholesterol.

This Cholesterol Awareness Month, we are encouraging adults over 40, particularly those with a family history of heart conditions or elevated cholesterol levels, to reach out to their GP for a consultation.

Keep your cholesterol in check, it could save your life.

If you have further questions, please do get in touch at info@healthwatchsouthtyneside.co.uk.

Watch Dr Alex Kent, Medical Director, North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board, talking about high cholesterol:

Research from LGBT Foundation and TransActual has highlighted the unique challenges faced by trans and non-binary individuals in accessing healthcare.

TransActual’s Trans Lives Survey (2021) highlighted a number of issues faced by trans people in the UK when accessing non-transition related healthcare:

• 14% reported that they were refused GP care on account of being trans on at least one occasion
• 70% of respondents reported being impacted by transphobia when accessing non-transition related healthcare
• 57% of trans people reported avoiding going to the doctor when unwell.

In response, Healthwatch England is carrying out survey work in selected areas across the country and South Tyneside has been chosen to take part.

Your insights are invaluable in helping us identify challenges and areas for improvement in healthcare. By focusing on your experiences, we aim to identify necessary changes and advocate for inclusive healthcare for everyone.

Even if you haven’t accessed care services recently, your insights and past experiences are invaluable and will help us gain insight for better health services across South Tyneside.

To complete the survey please scan the QR code below or visit https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/HWSTynesideTransGP/

We prioritise your privacy and assure you that all survey responses are confidential. If you’re open to sharing more about your experiences, you can optionally provide your contact details. However, you are welcome to remain anonymous if you prefer.

We encourage you to share this survey with anyone who may have had any experiences accessing their GP. Increased participation will strengthen our case for providing quality healthcare services for trans and non-binary individuals.

If you have any issues or questions, please do get in touch at info@healthwatchsouthtyneside.co.uk or call 0191 489 7952.