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Your searched on: Cholesterol
When to Have a Cholesterol Test
Doctors use different guidelines to decide when a person should have a cholesterol test. A cholesterol test can be one of the things doctors use to check on your risk of heart attack and stroke. Some health organizations recommend cholesterol screening every 4 to 6 years for everyone ages 20 to 39 and more often for...
High Cholesterol: Making Lifestyle Changes
High cholesterol is treated with heart-healthy lifestyle changes and medicine. These can lower your cholesterol and your risk of heart disease, heart attack, and stroke. You and your doctor may decide to first try treating your high cholesterol without medicine. Changing some of your habits may be all you need to do to...
High Cholesterol
Covers the kinds of cholesterol. Explains that cholesterol is one of many risk factors for heart attack and stroke. Covers treatment to lower risk of heart attack and stroke, which includes healthy habits and statins.
Cholesterol and Triglycerides Tests
Covers cholesterol and triglyceride blood tests to measure fatty substances in the blood. Explains why tests are done and how to prepare. Includes possible results and what they may mean. Looks at what may affect test results.
Cholesterol in Children and Teens
A child may have a higher chance of having high cholesterol if he or she: Is overweight. Does not exercise much. Does not eat healthy foods. Has a family history of high cholesterol. Cholesterol tests for children and teens Your child's doctor may suggest a cholesterol test based on your child's age, family history, or...
Cholesterol Treatment Guidelines
The goal in treating cholesterol is to lower your chance of having a heart attack or a stroke. The goal is not to lower your cholesterol numbers alone. The following guidelines are from the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association. The two main types of treatment are: Heart-healthy lifestyle...
Tony's Story: Taking Medicine for High Cholesterol
Tony has done well with getting his cholesterol under control. And he's had a notable failure. But as Tony tells it, "I've learned as much from the failure as I have from the success. Maybe more." About 2 years ago, Tony's doctor told him that he had a high risk for heart attack and that his cholesterol was high. So...
Cholesterol and Triglycerides: Eating Fish and Fish Oil
Fish is a lean protein source that contains omega-3 fatty acids. This type of fat can be part of a heart-healthy diet. Fish oil supplements are another way to get omega-3 fatty acids. Research has not proved that fish oil is helpful for everyone. That's why doctors do not agree about whether these supplements can help...
Diabetes: Cholesterol Levels
Cholesterol (or lipid) problems are common in diabetes. These problems are usually related to obesity and insulin resistance. They can also be related to lack of insulin in your body. Triglyceride blood levels are usually elevated. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) blood level is usually low. These abnormal triglyceride...
High Cholesterol: How a Dietitian Can Help
Millions of people struggle to lose weight and improve their diets. Finding a diet that works for you and then staying with it can be a huge challenge. Registered dietitians are experts in diet and nutrition, particularly for promoting general health and treating conditions, such as high cholesterol. A dietitian can...
Linda's Story: Quitting Smoking Lowers My Risk
Linda's best friend had just had a heart attack. Linda, 56, and Terri, 52, work together in the records section of their city's police department. They had also been working on getting healthier together. They both had high cholesterol and were overweight. They both smoked. But they'd been going to aerobics class and...
Heart-Healthy Eating
Heart-healthy eating means eating food that can help lower your risk of heart disease, heart attack, and stroke. It focuses on eating more healthy foods and cutting back on foods that aren't so good for you. It is part of a heart-healthy lifestyle that includes regular activity and not smoking. A heart-healthy eating...
Modify Recipes for a Heart-Healthy Diet
You don't have to abandon all your favorite recipes to eat healthier. Several small changes to your current recipes can often greatly lower the saturated fat and sodium in your diet. These small changes can make a big difference in the amount of fat and calories in your diet. But they won't make much difference in how...
Healthy Eating: Eating Heart-Healthy Foods
Offers tips for choosing foods based on the basics of a heart-healthy diet, including adding fruits, vegetables, and fiber and limiting sodium and unhealthy fats. Explains how to make small changes to get started.
Nephrotic Syndrome
Discusses nephrotic syndrome, a sign kidneys aren't working right. Includes high levels of protein in urine, low levels of protein in blood, and high cholesterol. Discusses swelling (edema) and kidney failure. Covers causes like diabetes. Covers treatment.
Beta-Sitosterol Plant Extract
Discusses use of dietary supplement beta-sitosterol to lower cholesterol levels, reduce risk of colon cancer, and relieve symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Looks at safety of beta-sitosterol. Includes possible side effects.
American Heart Association Healthy Diet Guidelines
The American Heart Association (AHA) publishes dietary and lifestyle recommendations for general heart health. . These recommendations are for healthy adults at least 18 years old. These guidelines may also be useful for adults who have health problems, children, and teens. But talk to your doctor because some of these...
Heart and Circulation
Provides link to info on high cholesterol and cholesterol/triglyceride tests. Also has links to info on coronary artery disease and peripheral arterial disease of the legs, plus tools to decide about treatment options.
Statins: Should I Take Them to Prevent a Heart Attack or Stroke?
Guides people not already diagnosed with coronary artery disease through decision to take statin medicine to lower risk of heart attack or stroke. Covers cholesterol and other risk factors. Includes interactive tool to help you make your decision.
Metabolic Syndrome
Discusses metabolic syndrome, a group of health problems. These problems increase the risk for diabetes and heart disease (coronary artery disease). Covers risk factors like obesity, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. Covers diet and exercise to improve health.
Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)
Discusses nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which includes nonalcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Discusses lifestyle changes, including losing weight and managing other conditions such as diabetes and high cholesterol.
Coronary Artery Disease
Includes causes and symptoms of heart disease. Looks at cholesterol, hypertension, and risk of heart attack. Covers diet, physical activity, and treatment with medicines, angioplasty, and bypass surgery. Includes how to help prevent heart disease.
Joe's Story: Changing My Lifestyle
When Joe turned 60 last year, he decided he was overdue for a good, old-fashioned physical. He had always been blessed with good health. But he knew that at his age he should be having regular checkups, especially since he was overweight. His doctor gave him a full exam and found no serious health problems. She also...
Familial Lipid Disorders
A familial lipid disorder is a condition that runs in families. It causes very high levels of cholesterol. This condition can cause a person to get coronary artery disease while still young. Familial lipid disorders are not common. Your doctor may look at cholesterol levels and family history to check if you or your...
Heart-Healthy Eating: Fish and Fish Oil
Fish is a lean protein source that contains omega-3 fatty acids. This type of fat can be part of a heart-healthy diet. Fish oil supplements are another way to get omega-3 fatty acids. Research has not proved that fish oil is helpful for everyone. That's why doctors do not agree about whether these supplements can help...