High Cholesterol

A Reference heart-healthy lifestyle can help you prevent high cholesterol. This includes:

• Eating a diet low in Reference saturated fat Opens New Window, Reference trans fat Opens New Window, and cholesterol.
• Getting plenty of exercise.
• Managing your weight.
• Not smoking.

Heart-healthy diets include the Reference Mediterranean diet and the Reference American Heart Association diet recommendations. This chart compares several heart-healthy diets (What is a Reference PDF Opens New Window document?).

Some people may not be able to prevent high cholesterol with lifestyle changes. Family history or certain conditions that cause the body to make too much cholesterol can raise levels even with lifestyle changes. In these cases, medicine can help.

Remember that high cholesterol is just one of the things that increase your risk for heart attack and stroke. Controlling other health problems, such as Reference high blood pressure Opens New Window and Reference diabetes Opens New Window, can also help reduce your overall risk.

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This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Reference Terms of Use. Reference How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.