| September is National Cholesterol Education Month
Less means more when it comes to your cholesterol and your health. Less cholesterol in your blood means you’re more likely to live a long and healthy life. High cholesterol can lead to heart disease-the number one killer in Missouri.
September is National Cholesterol Education Month, a good time for people to have their cholesterol levels checked and to adopt lifestyle changes that can help prevent or reduce high cholesterol.
Adults over 20 should have a blood test at least every five years to monitor their cholesterol levels. The Butler County Health Department recommends a lipoprotein profile test, which provides several important numbers, including:
- Total cholesterol
- LDL cholesterol (commonly known as bad cholesterol)-creates the main source of buildup and blockage in the arteries
- HDL cholesterol (commonly known as good cholesterol)-helps keep cholesterol from building up in arteries
- Triglycerides-another form of fat in the blood
The lipoprotein profile test must be done after a nine to 12 hour fast. If that is not possible, a simpler test can be done that determines total cholesterol and HDL cholesterol.
Risk factors for high blood cholesterol that can be modified and thereby, reduce your chance for heart disease include diet, weight, and physical activity.
More information and a cholesterol fact sheet can be found at www.dhss.mo.gov/Cholesterol.
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