Are you suffering from hypercholesterolemia or high cholesterol? If so, beware that you need to change your diet and lifestyle immediately. Apart from taking prescribed drugs to bring down the levels, you need to focus on the diet and cardiovascular health to keep this killer at bay.

We list out 10 most important aspects that you should watch and implement in your diet and lifestyle:

1. It is always good to remember that LDL or "bad" cholesterol is what you need to avoid. So, curtailing too much of saturated fat is a good thing. But, do not forget that HDL or "good" cholesterol is critical to remove bad cholesterol from your blood.

2. Try to curtail the portions you eat at each meal. Use your hand to take one serving of meat or fish that fits into your palm. Do the same with all the food types on your dinner table - be it vegetables, rice or fruits.

3. You can go heavy with fruits and vegetables as it helps cut down bad cholesterols. Experts suggest between five to nine servings a day.

4. Target a heart-healthy diet with fish on the menu at least twice a week since fish contains omega-3 fatty acids, a key ingredient in countering triglycerides. They also assist in lowering cholesterol and cutting down the growth of plaque in the arteries.

5. Oatmeal or whole-grain cereal is another must have in the daily menu. The carbohydrates and fiber found in these cereals keep you full for longer and reduces the temptation to eat between meals.

6. And in case you are really pining for an in-between snack, try out some nuts that contain a high dose of mono-unsaturated fat. But, remember to eat only a handful as nuts are high in fat and calories and also make sure they aren't sugar-coated.

7. A half-hour workout regimen five days a week helps reduces LDL drastically. Of course, try and exercise more if you are overweight as this is the only way of keeping in shape and avoiding clogged arteries and a heart attack or a stroke.

8. In case you are averse to a regular workout in terms of jogging or a walk around the park, try taking up any sort of physical activity in your day. It could be dancing, gardening or walking up the stairs instead of taking the elevator. Just ensure that your share of cardiovascular activity is happening each day.

9. Having controlled your diet and lifestyle do not to chuck it all up while eating out. Go for the baked, steamed and grilled foods at a restaurant and keep the sauces away if you can. And remember to curtail the portions at the meal.

10. Always look for nutrition labels shopping for food. Try and get as many that fall into the low-cholesterol and heart-healthy categories. Try and pick up packets that only serve one meal to ensure portion control. A food that advertises zero cholesterol can raise your LDLs. Remember that it is all about avoiding saturated fat.