How to Lower Cholesterol Before a Test

High cholesterol can be a precursor to heart disease and stroke. There are methods available to lower your LDL cholesterol level before your next blood test. Following a regular exercise program, healthier eating habits and attention to your overall health make cholesterol more manageable.

Instructions

• 1

  Exercise. Regular exercise quickly lowers cholesterol levels. Exercising increases the metabolism of dietary fats, helping you lose pounds and lower cholesterol.

• 2

  Increase your good cholesterol level. There are two different kinds of cholesterol --- high-density lipoprotein and low-density lipoprotein. HDL is good cholesterol, found in avocados, peanut butter and olive or canola oils. Consume more foods with HDL cholesterol and decrease your intake of foods with LDL cholesterol foods to achieve a better level on your next test.

• 3

  Increase fiber. Fiber binds to the bile acids in your body, which often contain much of the bad cholesterol. After the fiber has bound itself to the bile acid, it forces the cholesterol-containing acid out of the body, lowering cholesterol levels. Natural fiber is found in fruits, vegetables, beans and legumes, and is also available in fiber supplements.

• 4

  Take a multivitamin. More often than not, daily nutritional needs are not met --- this is especially true for cholesterol-fighting substances such as vitamin B12, B6 and folic acid. Find a multivitamin containing these ingredients to lower your cholesterol levels.

• 5

  Reduce stress. Stress affects the body as well as the mind and can increase cholesterol levels. The body releases chemicals that constrict the blood vessels and arteries during stress, which causes blood flow to be altered. This negatively affects your cholesterol-fighting abilities and places added strain on your heart, putting you at risk for heart disease or a heart attack.