How Can I Lower Dangerously High Cholesterol Immediately?

High levels of LDL, otherwise known as the "bad cholesterol," can lead to blockage in your arteries that supply blood to your heart and brain. These blockages can lead to a heart attack or a stroke. It's important to lower your LDL levels and raise your HDL levels, which is the "good cholesterol." You can make a few changes starting today that will help you live a longer, healthier life.

Diet

• Replace your steaks with white meat. Red meat is notorious for raising LDL cholesterol. Pair a meal of baked, not fried, poultry and steamed vegetables with a single glass of red wine, which is also believed to help lower bad cholesterol. You should attempt to keep your total cholesterol intake to 200 mg per day.

Dining Out

• Pay attention when dining out. Instead of eating french fries with dinner, have a side salad, with low-fat or fat-free dressing, or a bowl of fruit. Ask your waiter to suggest any meals that are heart healthy. Making healthier choices also helps you lose that pesky 5 or 10 extra pounds, which in itself can help lower bad cholesterol.

Fiber

• Add a whole-grain bread or pasta to your meal to gain a serving of fiber, which helps lower LDL cholesterol by eradicating dietary fats. Other sources of soluble fiber include flax seed, nuts, barley, fruits, and vegetables.

Exercise

• Exercise for at least 30 minutes every day. These can be low-impact exercises, such as walking, or aerobic exercise like bicycling or swimming. You don't have to perform 30 minutes of continuous exercise either. If it is more feasible, spread it out in two 15-minute walks or jog for five-minute increments, six times a day. Once again, it doesn't matter how long these activities last, just as long as they add up to at least 30 minutes.