Clearing Up Cholesterol Confusion

What is cholesterol and how is it related to heart disease?

My cholesterol numbers list LDL, HDL, and triglycerides. What’s the difference?

• LDL is the main way cholesterol is carried around in your blood. High LDL levels can lead to heart attack and stroke 
• HDL is how cholesterol is carried back to your liver to be recycled. Without enough HDL, cholesterol can build up in your blood vessels. 
• Triglycerides are a type of fat; high levels of it contribute to cholesterol build up in your body. 

How does cholesterol get too high?

When should I start getting my cholesterol screened?

But it’s important to pay attention to your cholesterol at all ages, even in your 20s. High cholesterol and high blood pressure can be silent. If you pay attention to your health when you’re young, you have a better chance of having a good quality of life when you’re older. 

When should I start getting my cholesterol screened?

But it’s important to pay attention to your cholesterol at all ages, even in your 20s. High cholesterol and high blood pressure can be silent. If you pay attention to your health when you’re young, you have a better chance of having a good quality of life when you’re older. 

What are some simple diet changes I can make to reduce my cholesterol?

• Trading butter for olive oil in cooking 
• Trading red meat for pork or chicken (but not bacon or sausage) 
• Eating more soluble fiber (things like flax seed, oatmeal, fruit) 
• Reducing the amount of sugar (sugar you don’t immediately use gets stored as fat) 

What should I eat to help get more of the good cholesterol?

• Beans 
• Fish like sardines and mackerel 
• Walnuts 
• Chia seeds or flax seeds 

When would I need medicine to help with cholesterol?

They work to reduce the amount of cholesterol your body produces. Most people don’t have any side effects from statins.