September is National Cholesterol Education Month
September is National Cholesterol Education Month, a good time to get your blood cholesterol checked and take steps to lower it if it is high.
Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance found in your body and many foods. Your body needs cholesterol to function normally and makes all that you need. Too much cholesterol can build up in your arteries. After a while, these deposits narrow your arteries, putting you at risk for heart disease and stroke.
High cholesterol usually 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 or if it is not enough, through 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.
According to the U.S. Center for Disease Control (CDC), 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.
The National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) recommends that adults ages 20 years or older have their cholesterol checked every five years. Preventive guidelines for cholesterol screening among young adults differ, but experts agree on the need to screen young adults who have other risk factors for coronary heart disease: obesity, smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes, and family history
A simple blood test called a lipoprotein profile can measure your total cholesterol levels, including LDL (low-density lipoprotein, or “bad” cholesterol), HDL (high-density lipoprotein, or “good” cholesterol), and triglycerides.
Your doctor may prescribe medications to treat your high cholesterol. In addition, you can lower your cholesterol levels through lifestyle changes:
• Eat more fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, and whole grains. Low-fat and high-fiber food will also help lower cholesterol.
• For adults, getting at least two hours and 30 minutes of moderate or one hour and 15 minutes of vigorous physical activity a week. For youth ages 6-17, getting one hour or more of physical activity is recommended daily.
• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Don’t smoke or quit if you smoke.
For more information, visit the CDC’s cholesterol website at http://www.cdc.gov/cholesterol.
Short URL: http://www.jenningsdailynews.net/?p=13944
Posted by Graphic Designer 2
on Sep 12 2012. Filed under Editorial.
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0.
Both comments and pings are currently closed.
