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High cholesterol is a major risk factor for heart disease

photo of couple walkingChildren, young adults and older Americans can have high cholesterol. Learn how to prevent high cholesterol and know what your cholesterol levels mean.Get your blood cholesterol checked and take steps to lower it if it is high. Learn about lipid profiles and about food and lifestyle choices that help you reach personal cholesterol goals. Below you will find some information about cholesterol and what you can do to lower it.

How many Americans have high cholesterol?

More than 102 million American Adults (20 years or older) have total cholesterol levels at or above 200 mg/dL, which is above healthy levels. More than 35 million of these people have levels of 240 mg/dL or higher, which puts them at high risk for heart disease.

How do you know if your cholesterol is high?

High cholesterol doesn’t have any symptoms. As a result, many people do not know that their cholesterol levels are too high. However, doctors can do a simple blood test to check your cholesterol. High cholesterol can be controlled through lifestyle changes and medications. It’s important to check your cholesterol levels. High cholesterol is a major risk factor for heart disease, the leading cause of death in the United States. People who are overweight or obese and those who have a family history of high cholesterol or heart disease are at especially high risk of developing high cholesterol.

If you have high cholesterol, what can you do to lower it?

Your doctor may prescribe medications to treat your high cholesterol.1 In addition; you can lower your cholesterol levels through lifestyle changes:
  • Eat more fresh fruits and vegetables.
  • Get at least 2 hours and 30 minutes of moderate or 1 hour and 15 minutes of vigorous physical activity a week.
  • Maintain a healthy weight.
  • Don’t smoke.

The National Cholesterol Education Program has developed specific recommendations about cholesterol treatment for people at increased risk, such as those with a family history of high cholesterol or heart disease.

Learn more information on useful consumer and health care provider information at www.cdc.gov/cholesterol and www.doh.state.fl.us/Family/Heart/index.html


Additional cholesterol information:

"Live Healthier Live Longer" is intended for people who are interested in learning more about preventing and controlling heart disease. Based on National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute clinical guidelines and research studies, it provides up-to-date practical information on cholesterol.


References:
1 National Cholesterol Education Program. Executive Summary of the Third Report of the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Expert Panel on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults (ATP III). Available on the National Heart, Lung and Blood Web site at: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/guidelines/cholesterol/.