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September is National Cholesterol Education Month, making it a good time to learn how cholesterol affects your heart health. High cholesterol often has no noticeable symptoms, so you may not know there\u2019s a problem until it contributes to a serious health event. Knowing your numbers and taking steps to manage them can help lower your risk.<\/p>\n
Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance made by your liver. Your body needs it to make hormones and help digest fatty foods. But too much cholesterol in your blood can cause problems.<\/p>\n
A cholesterol test, also called a lipid panel, measures several types of cholesterol and fats:<\/p>\n
High cholesterol can cause plaque to build up inside your arteries over time. As plaque accumulates, arteries can narrow or become blocked, reducing blood flow and increasing your risk of heart disease, heart attack, and stroke.<\/p>\n
High blood pressure and high cholesterol are different conditions, but they often occur together and can significantly increase your risk of cardiovascular problems.<\/p>\n
Because high cholesterol usually has no warning signs, regular screening is important. Talk with your healthcare provider about how often you should have your cholesterol checked. For many people, testing at least every five years is recommended unless their provider advises more frequent testing.<\/p>\n
You can make lifestyle changes that may help prevent or manage high cholesterol:<\/p>\n
For some people, lifestyle changes may not be enough to reach healthy cholesterol levels. Medications, including statins, may be recommended based on your individual risk factors and health history.<\/p>\n