About Cholesterol

• Cholesterol is a fat-like substance in your body
• High levels of cholesterol in your blood can lead to heart disease
• Nearly 42% of adults in South Carolina have high cholesterol

Types of Cholesterol

Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol

• Makes up the majority of the cholesterol in your body
• Referred to as "bad" cholesterol because it can clog your arteries, increasing your risk for heart disease

High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol

• Helps keep your arteries clear, reducing your risk of heart disease
• Scientists think that this "good" cholesterol mops up bad cholesterol and carries it to your liver, which then flushes it out of your body

Triglycerides

• Are not cholesterol, but are a type of fat that can clog arteries
• Are often a part of the blood test a doctor does to check your cholesterol levels

Know Your Numbers

High cholesterol does not have any symptoms, so it's important to get a blood test to check your levels. Below is a list of desirable cholesterol numbers:

• Total Cholesterol - less than 200 mg/dL
• LDL "Bad" Cholesterol - less than 100 mg/dL
• HDL "Good" Cholesterol - Women: 50 mg/dL or higher. Men: 40 mg/dL or higher
• Triglycerides - less than 150 mg/dL

How Can I Lower My Cholesterol?

• Get a blood test to check your cholesterol levels
• Eat a healthy diet
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Stop smoking
• Take your medicine

Related Topics

• Heart Disease
• What Do My Cholesterol Levels Mean? (pdf)
• How Can I Lower High Cholesterol? (pdf)
• How Can I Monitor My Cholesterol, Blood Pressure & Weight? (pdf)