Cholesterol is a key concern for the American Heart Association, a nonprofit organization focused on education and advocacy about heart-health issues. As the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes, high cholesterol raises your risk for heart disease, the No. 1 killer in the United States. And high cholesterol is a problem for one in six Americans. Here's an outline of the AHA's main recommendations about cholesterol.
'Good' and 'Bad' Recommendations
The AHA advises that it's important to know the difference between HDL and LDL cholesterol --- so-called good and bad cholesterol. When too much waxy LDL builds up in your bloodstream, it can contribute to formation of plaque that clogs and stiffens blood vessels, possibly causing heart attack or stroke. On the other hand, HDL helps protect against heart disease, heart attack and stroke by preventing LDL from sticking to your artery walls.
Recommendations on Testing
The AHA suggests that after age 20, you should have your cholesterol levels checked with a blood test at your doctor's office at least every five years. You might need more frequent tests if your cholesterol level is 200 mg/dl or greater, if you're a man over age 45 or a woman over 50, if your HDL is low or if you have other risk factors for heart disease and stroke. Ideally, your total cholesterol should be under 200, your LDL under 100, and your HDL over 60 mg/dl.
Recommendations on Prevention
About 75 percent of your cholesterol is made in your liver and by other cells in your body, the AHA advises --- and you may have inherited a tendency to produce too much of it. The other 25 percent comes from certain animal-based foods in your diet. The AHA urges you to try to avoid high cholesterol by learning which fats can raise your levels, eating a heart-healthy diet, exercising regularly and maintaining a healthy weight.
Recommendations on Treatment
The advice for preventing cholesterol problems also can be helpful for getting high cholesterol under control, according to the AHA. For example, you can get more exercise and avoid saturated and trans fats in your diet. But your doctor might determine that you need cholesterol-lowering medication to bring your cholesterol to a safer level. In that case, the AHA advises, take your medication as directed, and make the most of its therapeutic effects by also maintaining a more healthful lifestyle.
References
- American Heart Association: About Cholesterol
- American Heart Association: Why Cholesterol Matters
- American Heart Association: How To Get Your Cholesterol Tested
- American Heart Association: Prevention and Treatment of High Cholesterol
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: High Cholesterol: Understand Your Risks
