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Give your heart's health a fresh look: Get your LDL cholesterol checked!
What is LDL Cholesterol?
LDL is a form of cholesterol called low density lipoprotein. You may have heard LDL called “lousy” or “bad” cholesterol. LDL causes cholesterol to build up on the artery walls. When this happens, cholesterol can clog your arteries, block blood flow and eventually lead to a heart attack or stroke.
How does LDL Cholesterol affect heart health?
You can decrease your risk of having a heart attack or stroke by having your LDL at or below the normal range.
Having your cholesterol checked is a simple step toward keeping your heart healthy. If your level is above the normal range, we can help you get it down to prevent against heart attack and stroke.
Have your cholesterol checked at least every 5 years if you're over 40 or have other risk factors for heart disease such as:
LDL levels should be less than 160 mg/dl.
- If you have other risk factors for heart disease (above) your level should be less than 130 mg/ dl.
- If you already have heart disease, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, peripheral arterial disease, abdominal aortic aneurysm or stroke your recommended level should be less than 100 mg/dl.
Where does cholesterol come from?
Our bodies make most of our cholesterol. It is an essential part of a healthy body. Cholesterol helps produce cell membranes and some hormones, and serves other bodily needs. We also get some cholesterol from animal products we eat – meats, poultry, fish, eggs, butter, cheese and whole milk.
What can you do?
There are several ways to lower your cholesterol and risk for heart disease:
- Follow a healthy eating plan that emphasizes whole grains, lean protein, beans, low fat or non fat dairy, fruit and vegetables. For more information, go here: High Cholesterol? Here's What You Can Do
- Get regular Physical Activity.
- Lose weight, if you are overweight and focus on a healthy weight
- If recommended, take a cholesterol lowering medication, such as a statin, as prescribed by your physician. To learn more, go here: Statin Therapy: Preventing Heart Attacks and Strokes
- Take What You Need to help Prevent a Heart Attack and Stroke
- If you smoke or chew tobacco, consider quitting. Learn more by reading You Can Quit Smoking
To learn more and find available resources at Kaiser Permanente visit What is high cholesterol? and our Healthy Living website.
For additional information, these links take you to the details included in the guidelines behind the numbers:
National Cholesterol Education Program
Guidelines at a glance
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