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WHAT

do heart attack and

stroke have in common? Among

other things, they share common

culprits—including too much

cholesterol.

This soft, fatlike substance is

found throughout the body—it’s in

the bloodstream and in every cell.

But excessive levels, known as high

blood cholesterol, can clog arter-

ies in the heart and brain and block

blood flow to these vital organs. That

boosts the likelihood of having a

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5 must-knows

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heart attack or a stroke.

The more you know about choles-

terol, the more you can reduce your

risk for these serious health prob-

lems. Start here with these five facts.

1

Your body makes plenty.

It actu-

ally produces all the cholesterol you

need for good health. Much of the

cholesterol that accumulates in ar-

teries comes from eating foods that

contain saturated or trans fats, which

the liver converts to cholesterol.

2

There are good and bad types.

Because it accumulates in arteries,

low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is

often called bad cholesterol. You’ll

want less of this kind. But it’s fine to

have more high-density lipoprotein

(HDL)—the good type that helps

sweep arteries clean.

3

You need to be

tested.

The only

way to know if your

cholesterol levels are

in a healthy range is

to get a blood test.

You should have your cholesterol

checked at least every four years or

as often as your doctor suggests.

4

Your numbers matter.

In gen-

eral, ideal numbers are less than

200 mg/dL for total cholesterol, less

than 100 mg/dL for LDL and 60 mg/

dL or higher for HDL. You may need

your total cholesterol or LDL level to

be lower, depending on your other

risk factors.

5

Little changes help.

Eating a

healthy diet, exercising, losing some

weight (if you’re overweight) and

stopping smoking (if you smoke) can

all help bring your LDL level down

and raise your HDL level. If lifestyle

changes aren’t enough, your doctor

may prescribe medication.