National Cholesterol Education Month
Everyone can benefit from knowing their cholesterol numbers and doing what they can to prevent or reduce high cholesterol levels. Uncontrolled cholesterol is a risk factor for heart attacks and stroke. But high cholesterol has no symptoms, so patients might not know that their cholesterol is too high – unless it’s measured by a doctor with a blood test.
While some risk factors – such as family history – may be out of our control, there are other ways to reduce or prevent high cholesterol, such as exercising, eating a healthy diet, not smoking and taking medication as prescribed. Honor National Cholesterol Education Month by knowing and controlling your cholesterol numbers. Adults age 20 and older should have their cholesterol levels checked every four to six years.
What is cholesterol? Learn more at https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/cholesterol
Or, learn answers to common blood cholesterol questions here: https://www.cdc.gov/cholesterol/about/myths.html