An ambitious UK health research project has identified that over half the adult population has high total cholesterol levels.

Our Future Health is recruiting up to five million volunteers to create the most detailed picture of our health to transform the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of common diseases. In a report published earlier this year, 62% of women tested had high cholesterol compared to just under 50% of men.

October is National Cholesterol Month, raising awareness of the importance of maintaining a healthy cholesterol level and the difference that small lifestyle changes can make to your heart health.

What is cholesterol?

Cholesterol is an important molecule that controls many bodily functions. It regulates hormones as well as manufacturing bile acids, which are used to absorb fatty foods. Cholesterol is carried through our bloodstream on proteins known as high density lipoproteins (HDL) or low density lipoproteins (LDL). The former is often known as ‘good cholesterol’ and LDL as ‘bad cholesterol’, as it can cause blood vessels to become narrowed or blocked.

Raised levels of LDL can increase the risk of cardiovascular conditions such as high blood pressure, heart attacks, angina, and stroke. If cholesterol levels are too high, medication may be needed to bring it down. Whether in conjunction with medication or as a method for managing raised cholesterol levels, essential lifestyle changes can make a difference and our GPs can help guide you on how best to make these changes.

How to lower cholesterol levels through lifestyle changes

1. Increase your intake of plant foods: rich in vitamins and nutrients, plant foods do not contain cholesterol or saturated fats, which may increase cholesterol in the body
2. Eat high-fibre foods: this can reduce the amount of cholesterol absorbed into the bloodstream from your intestine
3. Avoid trans fats: any food that is chemically processed can raise overall cholesterol levels in the body
4. Limit saturated fats: found in red meat and full-fat dairy products, these raise your total cholesterol. Restricting your consumption can lower the level of LDL or bad cholesterol
5. Quit smoking: smokers typically have lower levels of good cholesterol and elevated levels of bad cholesterol, and quitting can improve the balance
6. Adopt regular exercise: this is an integral part of lowering LDL cholesterol and increasing levels of HDL

A cholesterol test will measure total cholesterol, LDL, protective HDL cholesterol, and an analysis of your blood triglyceride levels. To arrange a test at GP London W1, call +44 (0)20 4580 1152  to arrange an appointment.

The news that presenter Alastair Stewart is living with dementia at age 71 has been covered extensively in the UK media, including the symptoms that promoted him to seek help – that “something up there” wasn’t right and the feeling of being “a bit discombobulated”.

As he explained: “I wasn’t becoming forgetful, but things like doing up your shoelaces properly, making sure the tie was straight, and remembering the call time for your programme.

“I then decided at my age that I might have something wrong up here. I told my doctor I was worried I might have early onset dementia.”

After a series of strokes, Alastair has revealed he has vascular dementia. To manage his condition, he has stopped smoking, is taking long walks with his dogs, and completes word puzzles to improve his physical and mental health.

Alzheimer’s Research UK executive director Samantha Benham-Hermetz said: “Our thoughts are with Alastair Stewart and his family, following the news he has vascular dementia. We applaud Alastair’s brave decision to share his diagnosis publicly and raise awareness, while also urging others to seek help if they have their own concerns about dementia.

“By speaking so openly and honestly about his experience, we hope this will put a further spotlight on the desperate need to find new treatments for all forms of dementia.”

September marks World Alzheimer’s Month, and this year’s campaign theme is ‘Never too early, never too late’. As well as highlighting the importance of identifying risk factors, it also focuses on making lifestyle changes to delay, and potentially even prevent, the onset of dementia.

Alzheimer’s disease and diet

Interestingly, recent studies have focused on the link between Alzheimer’s disease and nutrition.

In a new study, a team from the University of California was able to reconfigure the circadian clocks of animals in a mouse model of Alzheimer’s, through intermittent fasting. Current treatments don’t target this aspect of the disease, but there might be other avenues of managing the condition.

Further studies published recently have looked at the link between inflammatory diets and dementia risk and the effect of lifestyle changes, including diet and physical activity, on micro-ribonucleic acid (miRNA) expression in patients with Alzheimer’s disease.

A healthy lifestyle has been associated with up to a 60% reduced risk of late-onset Alzheimer’s disease, with modifiable risk factors, including obesity in middle age and a sedentary lifestyle.

Likewise, specific diets such as the Mediterranean diet appear to protect cognitive function and support healthy ageing.

For more advice on preventative medicine and healthy lifestyle changes, call +44 (0)20 4580 1152  to arrange a GP consultation with GP London W1.

The government has recently launched a new public health consultation which aims to increase take-up of occupational health services. Employers will be encouraged to offer their employees occupational mental and physical health support, particularly in small and medium-sized enterprises.

It is unsurprising that occupational health has become a focus for the government. The latest figures show that the number of people who are economically inactive due to long-term sickness has increased to 2.55 million, and last year alone there were 186 million working days lost to illness or injury. Yet, the consultation notes that only 45% of workers in the UK have access to OH services.

“Work is such a significant part of our lives, so our occupational health work is really satisfying. Our work is broadly split between musculoskeletal issues and work-related stress, depression or anxiety,” explains Dr Fiona Payne. “The latter has been exacerbated since the Covid pandemic.”

Occupational health provider in Central London

At GP London W1, our doctors are all qualified in Occupational Health Medicine and experienced in working with a range of different businesses and industries. The occupational health services we provide includes:

• Fitness to work assessments: to assess whether an employee is mentally and physically fit to fulfil their role and to support them with reasonable adjustments if needed.
• Risk assessments: this can cover fitness to travel to workstation assessments.
• Pre-employment medicals: to assess whether a potential employee is fit for their role and to make recommendations on any adjustments that may be required.

“Many patients can initially be daunted seeing an occupational health doctor,” explains Dr Caroline Wall. “They have had a referral from the management, and they are often concerned that this is a way of sidelining or removing them.

“But this is not the case at all. Occupational health is about supporting people whatever their challenges, and we work with the employer to support the employee so they can fulfil their role by recommending reasonable adjustments.”

For more advice on the Occupational Health services offered by GP London W1, call +44 (0)20 4580 1152 to speak to one of the team.

Following on from our praise of parkrun and in honour of National Love Parks Week here in the UK, here’s a rundown of the events held around London.

London has more parkrun events than any other city worldwide and options to run with buggies and dogs so the whole family can enjoy it together. Over 50 parks and green spaces host parkruns on Saturdays in London, including Clapham Common, Greenwich, Highbury Fields, Finsbury Park, and Richmond Park.

But with so many options, how do you choose which one to run each week?

Bushy parkrun was where it all started in 2004 with just 13 friends and is now the biggest event with over 1,000 participants most weeks. Barking boasts a lake and a not-too-taxing path, with the final 200-metres through a tree-lined avenue, making it one of the most picturesque parkruns in London.

Old Deer Park parkrun in Richmond-upon-Thames typically receives a mere 85 runners and is an entirely grass event with some ‘gentle undulations’. Clapham Common parkrun is a two-lap run of the heath with many cafes nearby for your post-run coffee. Probably the closest parkrun to GP London in Harley Street is the Wormwood Scrubs event which is run in the shadow of the infamous prison and boasts a challenging route run entirely on grass.

But don’t worry if parkrun doesn’t sound like your idea of fun. “People work out in different ways. Part of what we do as GPs is find out what they enjoy doing and encourage them to make it part of their routine,” explains Dr Fiona Payne. “Personally, I don’t do parkrun, as I’m a long-distance runner and the first 5km is the bit I hate! I like running on my own at 6am in the morning when no one is around and it’s only when I do an event that I’m running with people.”

Dr Payne is doing the Royal Parks Half Marathon this October. Starting and finishing in Hyde Park, it travels through four of London’s Royal Parks – Hyde Park, Green Park, St James’s Park and Kensington Gardens.

Call  +44 (0)20 4580 1152 to arrange a GP appointment or book one of our comprehensive medicals at GP London W1.

The Covid pandemic has had a profound impact on healthcare in the UK, and a recent UK survey suggests that a third of adults have had an appointment with a private GP in the last three years.

With more than half of respondents considering going private for GP appointments, here’s what you need to know if you’re considering private treatment.

Why might I want a private GP appointment?

The survey revealed that the appeal of private medicine was being seen quickly and in person. With NHS GPs now regularly seeing at least 60 patients a day, according to recent figures, a private GP practice can offer longer consultations and more flexibility and deliver continuity of care.

“When balancing both NHS and private GP work, the difference was marked. In private practice, we can offer patients more time, resources, and access to specialist care,” Dr Caroline Wall explains.

Dr Fiona Payne agrees: “I still do one NHS morning session per week, and I might see patients for five minutes or so, and I will probably never see them again. I had a busy day yesterday here at GP London W1 and saw 13 patients all day.”

How do I get a private appointment?

Our private GP appointments are available either in-person or online, and most patients self-pay, although some health insurance policies may provide access to private GP services. Check the terms of your policy, as it will specify which providers are included and the number of appointments you’re entitled to.

How much will it cost?

How will my NHS care be affected if I pay for private treatment?

The guidance from the The Department of Health and Social Care states that your NHS care will always continue to be free of charge, and your position on an NHS waiting list should not be affected if you choose to have a private consultation.

We advise all our patients to remain registered with their NHS GP should you need to revert to their care down the line.

Can I get an NHS prescription after a private diagnosis?

Private prescriptions cannot be transferred to an NHS prescription. However, most NHS GPs are receptive to taking over subsequent medication prescribing if they are satisfied that the diagnosis and treatment plan is appropriate.

Next steps

“I believe we’re offering NHS medicine with time,” Dr Justine Setchell concludes. “We do everything our NHS colleagues do but have bought our patients and us time.”

Whatever your health concern, from small to large, GP London W1 will deliver the same service, following NICE guidelines and only offering evidence-based medicine. Call  +44 (0)20 4580 1152  to arrange a private GP appointment.