Cholesterol is a waxy substance in the blood that the body needs to build healthy cells. However, high levels can increase the risk of heart disease. It travels attached to proteins, forming lipoproteins. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is considered 'bad' cholesterol as it can build up plaque in arteries, while high-density lipoprotein (HDL) is 'good' cholesterol that helps remove excess cholesterol.

Cholesterol Education Month | Preventative Diagnostic Center

Q: Why is early detection of high cholesterol so important?

Early detection is crucial because high cholesterol often has no symptoms until it has already caused significant health problems like plaque buildup in the arteries. Regular screening through a blood test (lipid panel) is the only way to know your levels and manage risks before they lead to heart disease or stroke.

Q: How often should I get my cholesterol checked?

Recommendations vary by age and gender. Lipid panels should begin around age 9 and occur every 5 years. For men, testing is recommended every 1-2 years between ages 45-65 and annually after 65. For women, it's recommended every 1-2 years between 55-65 and annually after 65.

A Graphic For National Cholesterol Education Month In September, Featuring A White Ekg Heartbeat Line Passing Over A Large Heart Icon On A Red Background.
Did you know that as many as 86 million people 20 or older living in the United States have total cholesterol numbers that put them “at risk” (total cholesterol over 200 mg/dL)? Considering these disturbing statistics, everyone should learn the effects of high cholesterol.

September is National Cholesterol Education Month. Celebrate by reading this article, where you will learn more about cholesterol, how it affects your health, how you can prevent high cholesterol, and how to spread awareness.

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Understanding Cholesterol

According to the Mayo Clinic, not all cholesterol is “bad.” Our bodies actually need cholesterol to create healthy new cells. However, if too much cholesterol is present in the blood, it can lead to serious health problems over time.

What Is Cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a “waxy” substance found in the blood. While the body requires some cholesterol, high cholesterol levels can significantly increase your risk of heart disease and other complications.

Cholesterol moves through the blood by attaching itself to protein, creating lipoproteins. The type of lipoprotein is determined by what type of cholesterol the lipoprotein carries. Thus, creating two different “types” of cholesterol.

High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL) Cholesterol

This type of cholesterol is also known as “good cholesterol” as it travels through the blood and “picks up” excess cholesterol and filters it out through the liver.

Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) Cholesterol

This type of cholesterol is considered “bad” cholesterol, as it can stick to the walls of the arteries, creating a buildup. This buildup (also known as plaque) narrows the arteries and makes them hard. This can lead to blockages in the arteries that inhibit blood flow, which can lead to a heart attack or a stroke.

Cholesterol and Heart Health

According to the Cleveland Clinic, high cholesterol (specifically high LDL cholesterol) left unchecked will lead to plaque buildup in the arteries, which eventually can lead to heart disease. High cholesterol and heart disease have also been linked to other risk factors, such as high blood pressure, smoking, obesity, and diabetes.

Cholesterol levels directly affect blood pressure, as any plaque buildup in the arteries makes it more difficult for your body to pump blood efficiently. Diabetes and smoking have also both been linked to lower levels of HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol) and higher levels of LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol).

All of these issues are risk factors for:

Coronary artery disease (heart disease)
Heart attack
Heart failure
Stroke

Why Is Early Detection of High Cholesterol So Important?

Since there are no symptoms of high cholesterol until it has already caused problems, you could have high cholesterol for years and not know it. Therefore, it’s important to know your risk factors and follow recommendations for cholesterol screening.

The Role of a Blood Test

The only way to know if you have high cholesterol is to get a blood test, commonly referred to as a “lipid panel.” This test will show you how high your HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides are. According to the Cleveland Clinic, doctors measure cholesterol levels in milligrams of cholesterol per deciliter of blood. Generally speaking, the majority of adults should strive for the following levels:

LDL cholesterol: Below 100
HDL cholesterol: Above 40 (above 50 for women)
Total cholesterol: Between 125-200
Triglycerides: Below 150

How Often Should I Get My Cholesterol Checked?

Per the Cleveland Clinic, the following are the recommendations for cholesterol screening:

Adolescence: Lipid panels should begin at age 9 and then every 5 years.
Men: Between the ages of 45-65, men should get tested every 2 years (follow your doctor’s recommendation). After 65, testing should be annual (more if there is an issue).
Women: Between the ages of 55-65, cholesterol numbers should be checked every 2 years. After 65, testing should be annual (more if there is an issue).

Reducing Your Risk

To lower and/or maintain healthy cholesterol numbers, it’s important to develop a healthy lifestyle that reduces bad cholesterol and promotes heart health.

Lifestyle Factors That Can Lower Bad Cholesterol

While genetics does play a role in cholesterol levels, many lifestyle risk factors can lower bad cholesterol and boost good cholesterol numbers in the blood, such as:

Quitting smoking: Smoke is bad for your health, no matter what. Quitting will help in all of the best ways possible.

Losing weight: Losing weight can help lower your bad cholesterol.

Getting regular exercise: Aerobic exercise increases good cholesterol.

Improving your diet: The dietary list below will help lower bad cholesterol.

Reducing stress: Stress can cause hormone changes that affect cholesterol.

Limiting alcohol intake: Excessive alcohol in the body can raise total cholesterol numbers.

Dietary Tips and Foods That Promote a Healthy Heart

The following dietary changes can drastically improve cholesterol numbers:

Limit saturated fats and trans fats: Limit unhealthy fats such as red meat, butter, and cheese. Also switch to canola oil or olive oil for cooking.
Stick with lean protein: Get your protein from lean, low-fat, and plant-based sources, such as chicken, turkey, fish, tofu, nuts, and seeds.
Limit added sugar and sodium: Limiting these items can significantly help your cholesterol numbers.
Eat more fiber and whole grains: The Mayo Clinic notes that eating oatmeal, oat bran, and other high fiber foods can reduce your bad cholesterol.
Eat more fresh fruits and vegetables: Fruits and vegetables provide essential vitamins and minerals while providing extra fiber to your diet.

When Is Medication Necessary?

If your cholesterol numbers are already high, your doctor may prescribe cholesterol-lowering medication on top of lifestyle changes to get these numbers under control. Cholesterol medication may also be necessary for those with certain medical conditions that make their cholesterol naturally higher, such as Lupus, issues with the thyroid, diabetes, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and family history.

Taking Action During National Cholesterol Education Month

Take the time during National Cholesterol Education Month to celebrate by doing one or more of the following:

Schedule a lipid panel blood test and encourage others to do so.
Make an appointment with your doctor to discuss your results.
Share educational resources.
Attend community events that spread awareness.
Encourage yourself and others to be proactive with self-education and take an active role in their healthcare.

You can utilize tools specifically created by the CDC that make it easy to share educational resources and graphics with friends and family on social media, or print out information to hand out.

This National Cholesterol Education Month, learn more about how cholesterol affects your health. Then, consider calling your doctor and scheduling a blood test to check your cholesterol numbers and take steps to spread awareness about the dangers of high cholesterol.