September is National Cholesterol Education Month through the CDC. High cholesterol is something that over 71 million Americans suffer from. This means that adults need to be knowledgeable about what cholesterol is, what the complications of high cholesterol can cause, and what can be done to prevent high cholesterol.
While our bodies need cholesterol to function, too much cholesterol can narrow your arteries by building up within your arteries. Adults 20 and older need to have their cholesterol checked every five years because high cholesterol levels don’t always have symptoms. That being said, high cholesterol levels can put you at risk for heart disease, which is the leading cause of death in the United States.
It is important to be aware of your LDL (“bad”) and HDL (“good”) levels, as well as how to lower your LDL levels if they get too high. Lowering your cholesterol levels can reduce your risk of heart attack, needing heart surgery, and dying of a heart attack. If you haven’t gotten your cholesterol levels checked in the last five years, call our office to get an appointment so that you can get a simple blood test to let you know.
If your test comes back with high LDL levels, eating a healthy diet can help you reduce your cholesterol levels. It’s important not just to treat high cholesterol levels, but also to prevent them. You can prevent high cholesterol by exercising, watching what you eat, and, if you are a smoker, quitting smoking.
Don’t let September pass you by without getting your cholesterol levels tested!