It's National Cholesterol Education Month - Know Your Numbers!

Your body needs cholesterol to work well. But cholesterol levels that are too high can harm you. Extra cholesterol in your blood builds up inside the walls of your blood vessels. This buildup is called plaque. Plaque reduces, or even stops, the blood flow. This can cause a heart attack, stroke, or other serious heart disease. And this is why it is important to know your numbers and educate yourself on ways to help you control your cholesterol. After all, September is National Cholesterol Education Month!

Your Cholesterol Numbers

Cholesterol is measured in milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL). Most people should have their blood cholesterol levels tested at least every 5 years once they reach ages 20 - 45. Have your cholesterol checked more often (probably every year) if you have:

• Diabetes
  
• Heart disease
  
• Blood flow problems to your feet or legs
  
• Had a stroke

A blood cholesterol test measures the level of total cholesterol. This includes both HDL ("good") cholesterol and LDL ("bad") cholesterol.

Your LDL level is what doctors watch most closely. You want it to be low. If it gets too high, you will need to treat it.

Treatment includes:

• Eating a healthy diet that can lower your cholesterol
  
• Losing weight (if you are overweight)
  
• Exercising

You may also need medicine to lower your cholesterol.

• If you have heart disease or diabetes, your LDL cholesterol should stay below 100 mg/dL.
  
• If you are at risk for heart disease (even if you do not yet have any heart problems), your LDL cholesterol should be below 130 mg/dL.
  
• Almost everyone else may get health benefits from LDL cholesterol that is lower than 160 to 190 mg/dL.

You want your HDL cholesterol to be high.

• For men, it should be above 40 mg/dL.
  
• For women, it should be above 50 mg/dL.
  
• Exercise helps raise your HDL cholesterol.

It is still important to eat right, keep a healthy weight, and exercise even if:

• You do not have heart disease or diabetes
  
• Your cholesterol levels are in the normal range

Learn more about cholesterol, including lifestyle changes, by visiting our Online Health Library.