National Cholesterol Education Month - What You Need to Know

What is cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance your body needs. But when you have too much in your blood, it can build up on the walls of your arteries and form blockages. This can lead to heart disease, heart attack, and stroke.



There are two kinds of cholesterol: high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL). HDL is also called "good" cholesterol. LDL is called "bad" cholesterol. When we talk about high cholesterol, we are talking about "bad" LDL cholesterol.

Seventy-one million American adults have high cholesterol, but only one-third of them have the condition under control.1 September is National Cholesterol Education Month—a good time to resolve to get your cholesterol screened.

Screening

Screening is the key to detecting high cholesterol. Because high cholesterol does not have symptoms, many people do not know their cholesterol is too high. Your doctor can do a simple blood test to check your cholesterol level.

The National Cholesterol Education Program recommends that adults aged 20 years or older have their cholesterol checked every 5 years.

You may need to have your cholesterol checked more often if any of the following statements apply to you:

· Your total cholesterol is 200 mg/dL or higher.

· You are a man older than age 45 or a woman older than age 50.

· Your HDL cholesterol is lower than 40 mg/dL.

· You have other risk factors for heart disease and stroke.

The Healthy People 2020 objective is to have 82% of the population screened. The number of people who said they were screened for cholesterol between 2005-2009 increased from 73% to 76%, only a handful of states met the 82% Healthy People 2020 objective.

Prevention and Treatment of High Cholesterol

Make lifestyle changes by:

·   Eating a healthy diet. Avoid saturated fats and trans fats, which tend to raise cholesterol levels. Other types of fats, such as polyunsaturated fats, can lower blood cholesterol levels. Eating fiber also can help lower cholesterol.

·   Exercising regularly. Physical activity can help lower cholesterol. The Surgeon General recommends that adults engage in moderate-intensity exercise for 2 hours and 30 minutes every week.

·   Maintaining a healthy weight. Being overweight or obese can raise your cholesterol levels. Losing weight can help lower your cholesterol.

·   Not smoking. If you smoke, quit as soon as possible.

Be sure to follow your doctor's instructions and stay on your medications, if prescribed, to control your cholesterol.

For more information about cholesterol and how you can prevent high cholesterol or keep it in check, see "Your Guide to Lowering Your Cholesterol with TLC" from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.

Reference
CDC, Cholesterol

 

September Food, Nutrition, and Health Events

Current News, Resources and Events in Nutrition, Food, Health, Environment, Safety, and Disability Rights. Encourages awareness and inspires ideas for Journalists, Educators, Consumers and Health Professionals. Wellness News is updated daily and includes weekly and daily events. To view the entire Newsletter online click here.

September Health, Nutrition, and Food Events

 

September Events, Celebrations and Resources Weekly and Daily Events can be found in the Wellness Newsletter.

 Hunger Action Month

National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month

     National Food Safety Education Month

September Food Events and Celebrations

Fruit and Veggies - More Matters Month

     Better Breakfast Month 

America on the Move
Go Wild During California Wild Rice Month
Great American Low-Cholesterol,
Low-Fat Pizza Bake Month
Family Meal Month
National Biscuit Month
National Chicken Month

National Cholesterol Education Month
National Coupon Month
National Ethnic Foods Month
National Honey Month
National Mushroom Month
National Organic Harvest Month
National Papaya Month
National Potato Month
National Prime Beef Month
National Rice Month
Whole Grains Month
National Yoga Month
Healthy Aging Month
Mold Awareness Month
Sports and Home Eye Health & Safety Month
Backpack Safety America Month
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Month
Baby Safety Month
Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
Gynecology Cancer Awareness Month
National Recovery Month
National Atrial Fibrillation Awareness Month
National DNA, Genomics, & Stem Cell Education Month
National Menopause Awareness Month
National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month
National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month
National Sickle Cell Awareness Month
National Skin Care Awareness Month
Newborn Screening Awareness Month
Leukemia and Lymphoma Awareness Month
National Preparedness Month
Be Kind to Editors and Writers Month
International Update Your Resume Month
Responsible Dog Ownership Month


 

September 2011 Wellness News

Current News, Resources and Events in Nutrition, Food, Health, Environment, Safety and Disability Rights. Encourages awareness and inspires ideas for Journalists, Educators, Consumers and Health Professionals. Wellness News is up-dated daily and includes weekly and daily events. To view the entire Newsletter online click here or subscribe to Wellness News by adding your email address to the link on the left.

 
 

September 2011 Events, Celebrations and Resources Weekly and Daily Events can be found in the Wellness Newsletter. Hunger Action Month National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month National Food Safety Education   Fruit and Veggies - More Matters America on the Move Better Breakfast Month Go Wild for California Wild Rice National Biscuit Month National Chicken Month National Ethnic Foods Month National Honey Month National Mushroom Month National Organic Harvest Month National Papaya Month National Potato Month National Prime Beef Month National Rice Month Whole Grains Month National Coupon Month National Yoga Month Healthy Aging Month 9/24-9/27 ADA FNCE (San Diego, California) National Cholesterol Education Hug a Texas Chef Month Mold Awareness Month Baby Safety Month National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month National Atrial Fibrillation Awareness Month Childhood Injury Prevention Month National Menopause Awareness Childhood Cancer Awareness Gynecology Cancer Awareness National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Prostate Cancer Awareness Month National Sickle Cell Awareness Newborn Screening Awareness World Leukemia and Lymphoma Awareness Month National Preparedness Month College Savings Month Library Card Sign up Month International Update Your Resume International Women's Friendship

A Heart Healthy Valentine

Collection of heart shaped and heart healthy foods with special valentine messages for a heart healthy life.

Wishing you love, laughter, health and friendship.