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Cholesterol and triglycerides action plan

How to use this action plan

Below we’ve listed key steps that can help you manage your cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Here’s how to use it.

  • Choose whether you’re ‘already doing this’ action, ‘ready now’ or ‘not ready yet’.
  • Select the button below to get your action plan.
  • Once you’ve made progress, come back and take on any actions you’re not ready to start now. 

Read more about blood cholesterol and cholesterol in food.

We also have a printable version of the action plan.

Simply, download and print the PDF version available below, review each action and tick the relevant columns. Make a start once you've chosen the actions you are ready to do now. 

Important actions

The most important action in this plan is to take your medicines as prescribed. There are risks if you don’t take them. If you’re ‘not ready’ to do this, see your doctor to discuss why. Your doctor may be able to prescribe a different medicine if you are worried about side effects.

Talk with your doctor about your cholesterol and triglycerides. 

Talk with your doctor about your cholesterol and triglycerides. 

Your doctor can talk with you about cholesterol and the effects it can have on your body. Most people need to take cholesterol-lowering medicine after a heart attack, even if their cholesterol level is normal. Your doctor will keep track of how your cholesterol responds to the medicines.

Find out about cholesterol and how to manage it.

Take your cholesterol-lowering medicines (e.g. statins) as prescribed. 

Take your cholesterol-lowering medicines (e.g. statins) as prescribed. 

You need to take your cholesterol medicines as directed by your doctor, so they work properly.

Tips for remembering to take your medicines correctly:

  • take it at the same time everyday
  • use a weekly pill box with separate compartments
  • mark it on a calendar or use an alarm on your mobile phone.

 See our tips for taking medicines.

Make fresh foods the main part of your diet. Choose a wide variety of fruit and vegetables, plain meat, poultry and fish, unflavoured reduced fat dairy and plain unsalted nuts and legumes. 

Make fresh foods the main part of your diet. Choose a wide variety of fruit and vegetables, plain meat, poultry and fish, unflavoured reduced fat dairy and plain unsalted nuts and legumes. 

The foods and drinks you choose everyday can help to manage your cholesterol.  A healthy eating pattern – with a wide variety of healthy foods – is most important. Simple changes can make a big difference.

Read more about the different types of foods that make up a healthy diet.

Learn about our top healthy eating tips.

Choose healthier oils for cooking and healthy spreads such as avocado, nut butters or tahini 

Choose healthier oils for cooking and healthy spreads such as avocado, nut butters or tahini 

Healthier choices include canola, sunflower, soybean, olive, sesame and peanut oils. Avoid using butter, other dairy blends, lard, copha or cooking fats. 

Learn more about healthy fats.

Be physically active. 

Be physically active. 

Aim to do 30 minutes of moderate physical activity most days of the week. Every day is even better. This can be as simple as going for a brisk walk with a friend or joining a dance class.

Get tips on exercising after a heart attack.

Ask your doctor for a referral to an accredited practising dietitian. 

Ask your doctor for a referral to an accredited practising dietitian. 

A health professional can give advice and information that’s custom made for you. Dietitians are trained to advise on healthy foods and meals. They can help you with changes you may need to make to your eating patterns to improve your cholesterol. Ask your doctor for a referral.

Find an accredited practicing dietician near you. 

  • At least one action needs a decision made.

Well done on making a great start. You're already doing many of these actions already. It's good to go back and check the things you're already doing. For example, use a food diary track your progress, whether it's actions you're already doing, or ready to do now.

The tips below can help you plan each step in your recovery.

Well done on making a great start. You're already doing many of these actions already. You can help keep yourself on track by using a diary to track your progress, whether it's actions you're already doing, or ready to do now.

The tips below can help you plan your next step toward recovery.

Well done on making a great start. You're already doing many of these actions already. You can help keep yourself on track by using a diary to track your progress, whether it's actions you're already doing, or ready to do now.

Don't worry about not being ready to take action on some things. Recovery is not a race. Remember every step you take counts.

The tips below can help you plan your next step toward recovery.

Well done on starting your action plan. It's great that you're ready to take action on so many things. Sometimes, it's challenging when you have a long list of things to do. You can help keep yourself on track by using a diary to track your progress as you go.

The tips below can help you plan your next step toward recovery.

Well done on making a start. It's great that you're ready to take action on so many things. Sometimes, it's challenging when you have a long list of things to do. You can help keep yourself on track by using a diary to track your progress as you go.

The tips below can help you plan your next step toward recovery, even if you think you're not ready.

It's great that you're ready to take action on so many things. Sometimes, it's challenging when you have a long list of things to do. You can help keep yourself on track by using a diary to track your progress as you go.

Don't worry about not being ready to take action on some things. Recovery is not a race. Remember every step you take counts.

The tips below can help you plan your next step toward recovery.

Well done on starting your action plan. Making a plan is an important step in your recovery. Even though you don't feel ready to make a start with most actions, don't worry. Recovery is not a race. Every step you take counts – even if it's just one.

Take your time. The tips below can help you plan your next step toward recovery, even if you think you're not ready.

The tips below can help you plan your next step toward recovery, even if you think you're not ready.

Well done on making a start. Making a plan is an important step in your recovery. Even though you don't feel ready to make a start with most actions, don't worry. Recovery is not a race. Every step you take counts – even if it's just one.

Take your time. The tips below can help you plan your next step toward recovery, even if you think you're not ready.

Well done on starting your action plan. It's great that you're ready to take action, no matter how many steps you're ready to take action on.

Making a plan is an important step in your recovery.

Even though you don't feel ready to make a start with most actions, don't worry. Recovery is not a race. Every step you take counts – even if it's just one.

Take your time. The tips below can help you plan your next step toward recovery, even if you think you're not ready.

Print your report

or go back and make changes

Already doing this

You haven’t selected anything that you’re ‘already doing’. Don’t worry, just choose something you’re ‘ready to do now’ and focus on that. If you need advice, you can call the Heart Foundation Helpline on 1300 36 27 87.

You’ve already started these actions. Great work. When you get started, keep track of your progress using a diary and the will become part of your routine in no time.

You’ve already started these actions. Great work. Keep track of your progress using a diary and the will become part of your routine in no time.

Ready to do now

You haven’t selected anything that you’re ‘ready to do now’. If you’re not sure what to do next, talk to a friend, your health care professional about steps you can take to improve your heart health. If you need advice, you can call the Heart Foundation Helpline on 1300 36 27 87.

It’s great you’re ready to start this action. Take your time getting it right, then select a new action to try. The tip below can help you make this action plan work for you.

It’s great you’re ready to start these actions. Take your time getting them right, then select a new action to try. The tips below can help you make this action plan work for you.

Not ready yet / Undecided

You haven’t selected anything you’re ‘not ready to do’. Well done, it looks like you’re making great progress. Follow the tips above for things you’re ‘ready to do now’. If you need a new challenge, ask a health care professional about more ways to improve your heart health. If you need advice, you can call the Heart Foundation Helpline on 1300 36 27 87.

You’ve listed the below item as something you’re not ready to do yet. Give this action a try when you’re ready.

You’ve listed the below items as something you’re not ready to do yet or you may not have selected it at all. Give one of these actions a try when you’re ready

Print your report

or go back and make changes

Find out more information about cholesterol and triglycerides. 

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Cholesterol and triglycerides action plan (pdf)

​Print and fill in your cholesterol and triglycerides action plan

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