There’s more than one way to tackle the risk of high cholesterol.
1. Check it out
Without getting your cholesterol tested, you can’t be certain about your risk. Why not schedule one now in honor of National Cholesterol Education Month? Ask your doctor to schedule a cholesterol test for you, which will usually be at no cost to you as part of a maintenance check-up.
2. Fitness pays off
You probably already know that eating too much trans fat can raise your cholesterol. Likewise, being overweight can lower your levels of “good” (HDL) cholesterol. But did you know that staying fit could delay the onset of high cholesterol? Exercise can lower risks of high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, and stress. Now, a long-term fitness study shows that fitness may delay normal age-related increases in cholesterol levels by up to 15 years.
3. Drugs tough on LDL
Certain medications work by blocking a protein in the liver that helps regulate LDL (lousy cholesterol). They can cut levels of LDL by nearly 50 percent. If you already take cholesterol-lowering medications, be sure to take them exactly as your doctor directs, and if you are concerned about your cholesterol levels, ask your doctor or Aaron about your concerns.
Nothing herein constitutes medical advice, diagnosis or treatment, or is a substitute for professional advice. You should always seek the advice of your physician or other medical professional if you have questions or concerns about a medical condition.