September is National Cholesterol Education Month and is the perfect time to find out your cholesterol levels and take steps to prevent or reduce high cholesterol.
High cholesterol is a significant risk factor for heart disease, which is the leading cause of death in the United States.According to America’s Health Rankings (United Health Foundation, 2023 data), 36.9% of adults who reported having their cholesterol checked were being told by a health professional that it was high.
Blood and dietary cholesterol
Blood cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance made by your liver. Blood cholesterol is essential for good health. Your body needs it to perform important jobs, such as making hormones and digesting fatty foods.
Your body makes all the blood cholesterol it needs, which is why experts recommend that people eat as little dietary cholesterol as possible while on a healthy eating plan.
Dietary cholesterol is found in animal foods, including meat, seafood, poultry, eggs, and dairy products. Learn more about preventing high cholesterol by making healthy eating choices.
Strong evidence shows that eating patterns that include less dietary cholesterol are associated with reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, but your overall risk depends on many factors. Learn what raises your risk for high cholesterol.
Knowing your risk factors for high cholesterol
Certain health conditions, your lifestyle, and your family history can raise your risk for high cholesterol. These are called “risk factors.”
These include:
Health conditions that increase your risk
Behaviors that increase your risk
Familial hypercholesterolemia
Age and gender
You can’t control some of these risk factors, such as your age or your family history. But you can take steps to lower your risk for high cholesterol by changing things you can control.
Go to the following link for more detailed information on risk factors that raise your risk for high cholesterol atcdc.gov.
Preventing high cholesterol
By living a healthy lifestyle, you can help keep your cholesterol in a healthy range and lower your risk of heart disease and stroke. The following steps can help:
Make healthy eating choices
Maintain a healthy weight
Get regular physical activity
Quit smoking
Limit alcohol
Detailed information on the steps noted above with a focus on preventing high blood cholesterol can be accessed at cdc.gov.
Screening recommendations for lipid disorders
Experts recommend that men aged 35 and older and women age 45 and older be routinely screened for lipid disorders. The lipoprotein profile includes:
LDL (low density lipoprotein cholesterol, also called “bad” cholesterol)
HDL (high density lipoprotein cholesterol, also called “good” cholesterol)
Triglycerides (fats carried in the blood from the food we eat. Excess calories, alcohol, or sugar in the body are converted into triglycerides and stored in fat cells throughout the body.
Your cholesterol numbers show how much cholesterol is circulating in your blood. Your HDL (“good” cholesterol) is the one number you want to be high (ideally above 60). Your LDL (“bad” cholesterol) should be below 100. Your total blood cholesterol should be below 200.
A final thought with an emphasis on seniors
National Cholesterol Education Month is the perfect time for seniors to focus on heart-healthy habits that can have a lasting impact on their overall health and wellness. Understanding the most common heart conditions, the importance of managing high cholesterol levels and how to implement strategies to prioritize heart health empowers seniors to embrace a healthier tomorrow.
When needed, professional home care services can play a vital role in supporting senior heart health, wellness, and quality of life. With the support of in-home caregivers, seniors can make better-informed decisions about their diet and wellness while incorporating numerous heart-healthy habits into their daily routines.
Whether you are a senior looking to improve your heart health or a caregiver supporting a loved one, use National Cholesterol Education Month this year as an opportunity to focus on heart-healthy habits that help ensure a healthier tomorrow.
Let’s all focus on better understanding the importance of taking a proactive approach to understanding the important role that cholesterol plays in our health and then acting on that knowledge to improve our quality of life by practicing a healthier lifestyle.
Additional Resources
More detailed Information on cholesterol testing can be accessed at cdc.gov
Check out the 5 top lifestyle changes to improve your cholesterol from the Mayo Clinic at mayoclinic.org.
Check out the following link from the CDC on cholesterol myths and facts at cdc.gov.