@tonyd and others who struggle with Cholesterol. Two years ago my little brother got a stent. Nobody could believe it because he did all the right things. He blamed it on his blood type (B). Anyway, after visiting my doctor, I went on a high fiber diet for about 3 months. I got my cholesterol down to 99 from about 180. I was already on Liptitor at the time but only 10mgs. But that diet was too strict and didn't last. My new strategy is high fiber snacks and plenty of them. I have researched soluble fiber and talked to my doctors about it. It seems that soluble fiber can bind the cholesterol and help get rid of it. In addition, it can chip away at the soft cholesterol that has not solidified and it can actually reduce the cloggage. So here is a quick list of heart healthy foods and there are way more. Apples and Pears (skin on), whole grain bread and pasta, sunflower seeds, walnuts, almonds, endamame and soy nuts (roasted and salted if you will), even roasted chick peas, any kind of beans/peas, flax seed, chia, straw, salmon, guinoa, Fiber One Snack Bars (chocolate and oats has the highest amount of fiber). There are way more foods that can help but these are the easiest ones for me to consume. I urge you to make an attempt to get more fiber in your diet and any way you can. And don't make it hard on yourself! I started with the snacks but I'm slowly adding more things to my diet everyday. I have to admit, substituting high fiber snacks for potato chips, cheets, and Doritos reaps HUGE benefits. It has to be sustainable for the long run or it doesn't work.
P.S. Yes, yes, you will experience more intestinal gas. But it will smell like roses compared to the way it smells after a 4th of July BBQ Meat-a-thon.
Don't be surprised if you lose 5 pounds just from the increased movement in your colon.