Patients need to be advised that anti-cholesterol treatment should not be viewed as compensation for an unhealthy lifestyle, experts warn.

Consultant radiologist Dr Sandy Gupta said that physical, aerobic activity, a balanced diet and healthy weight loss should be encouraged in parallel with drug provision for patients with high cholesterol levels.

However, Dr Gupta added that people who follow a healthy lifestyle are still at risk of cardiovascular disease, explaining that "a lot of our cholesterol is not related to our diet".

Experts advise that greater use of cholesterol lowering medication statins could help many patients who live well but are still at risk of developing heart disease.

According to the British Heart Foundation (BHF), statins are the best way to reduce cholesterol and the risk of heart attack.

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence recently announced new guidance stating that people aged 40-75 who are 20 per cent more likely to develop cardiovascular disease, should receive statin treatment.

Figures show that South Asian and African communities are at higher risk of coronary artery disease and strokes, respectively.

Dr Gupta said: "The death rate from coronary artery disease is 40-50 per cent higher in the south Asian community than in other populations. So, for that particular group, we have to factor in one and a half times excess risk – so a greater number are likely to benefit from statin."

Login and visit the Cholesterol Knowledge Centre

• Twins trial suggests olive leaf extract lowers cholesterol 27/08/08
• Study links low cholesterol with cancer in diabetes sufferers 26/08/08
• NICE likely to recommend cholesterol tests, BBC suggests 21/08/08
• Statin found to improve bone repair 31/07/08
• Rare statin side-effect 'genetic' 25/07/08