I think you are in UK, as this is how we measure cholesterol. Normal should be under 5 mmol/l but if you have suffered from stroke or heart attack, then the UK guidelines suggest that it should be below 4mmol/l. Cholesterol on its own doesn t do much damage, it is other risk factors along with it such as Blood pressure, SMOKING, overweight, diabetes, family history of heart attacks at younger age. By using Framingham calculator or newer JBS guidelines it will give you indication or risk levels for having stroke and MI over next 10 years. I suggest you should 1. Exercise regularly, brisk walk about 30 mins everyday 2. Cut down on salt and fried stuff 3. Eat 5 portions of fruits and vegetables everyday 4. Cut down on saturated fats(such as butter, lard and margarine) 5. Use olive oil or sunflower oil for cooking 6. Grilled oily fish rather than English fish and chips 7. Cut down on full fat milk and cheese 8.Stop smoking , if you do smoke 9. Cut down your weight. 10. see your doctor, whether you need statin to reduce your cholesterol finally if you manage to do all the above things, get your cholesterol checked in 3months to see if has improved