Lowering cholesterol levels cuts heart attack risk

Cholesterol, a waxy substance, is both made by the body and obtained from animal products in the diet.  In general, you are more likely to develop heart disease as the amount of cholesterol in your blood increases past normal levels.

Because heart disease is the number-one killer of adults in the United States, it is recommended that everyone age 20 and older have their cholesterol level tested at least once every five years.  For this test, a blood sample is taken from a vein in the arm or from a finger.  Cholesterol is then measured in milligrams (mg) per deciliter (dL) of blood.

Cholesterol levels below 200 mg/dL are considered desirable since they reflect a low risk of heart disease.  An estimated 106.9 million Americans have high blood cholesterol—cholesterol levels above 200 mg/dL.

High cholesterol can often be lowered by diet, physical activity, weight management, and/or prescription drugs.  Be sure to talk with your doctor about ways to achieve, or keep,  your ideal cholesterol level.

To learn more about cholesterol and heart disease, visit the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Web site at www.nhlbi.nih.gov.