Having high cholesterol is a major risk factor for having a heart attack or a stroke, both of which could be fatal underwater. For this reason it is important to consider high cholesterol levels as part of your overall cardiovascular health when diving.
If you have been diagnosed with high cholesterol on routine blood tests you may be controlling it with dietary measures, or you may be taking medication.
If you have been started on medication to lower cholesterol after a heart attack or stroke, please see the relevant ‘Can I dive with..?’ sections for more information.
Cardiovascular Risk
Your cardiovascular risk is affected by many factors including obesity (measured using body mass index - BMI), your smoking status, blood pressure, cholesterol levels, whether you are diabetic, and your family history. Consideration of all of these factors is used to estimate your personal risk of a heart attack or stroke in the future and therefore the risk of an incident underwater.
What do I need to do before diving?
Please arrange a telephone consultation to discuss your high cholesterol with a dive doctor. The doctor will ask for further information including your latest blood results and any investigations you have had for your other cardiovascular risk factors (blood pressure readings, diabetes test etc). If you have not had blood tests for some time we will likely ask you to attend your GP for this.
Depending on your level of risk, age, and exercise level you may be signed off remotely or may need to attend for a face-to-face medical.