Your Cholesterol Level
- What Is Cholesterol?
- How Are Cholesterol Levels Checked?
- What the Numbers Mean
- What Should I Do if I Have High Cholesterol?
- For More Information
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- Related cholesterol level articles:
Cholesterol levels - on WebMD
Cholesterol levels - on MedicineNet
What Is Cholesterol?
Cholesterol, a waxy, fat-like substance, is naturally present in cell walls or membranes everywhere in the body. Your body uses cholesterol to produce many hormones, vitamin D, and the bile acids that help to digest fat. If you have too much cholesterol in your bloodstream, the excess may be deposited in the arteries of the heart, which could lead to heart disease.
Next: How Are Cholesterol Levels Checked? »
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Cholesterol Management
Tips to keep it under control.
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Your Cholesterol Level
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Understanding Your Risk
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. But it doesn't have to be —heart disease can be prevented. One of the best ways to prevent heart disease is to keep your blood cholesterol at healthy levels. High blood cholesterol can lead to coronary artery disease, heart attack, and stroke.
You can make lifestyle changes to take control of your heart health. Managing your cholesterol level is one such important lifestyle change. Others include controlling high blood pressure, keeping your weight within normal limits (maintaining or re-establishing your ideal body weight), not smoking, exercising, and controlling diabetes and stress.
If you have a number of risk factors, such as having diabetes, being overweight, having high blood pressure, smoking, and having a high cholesterol level, they add up and greatly increase your risk for heart disease. Some risk factors...
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High HDL Cholesterol (Hyperalphalipoproteinemia) »
High-density lipoprotein (HDL) is positively associated with a decreased risk of coronary heart disease (CHD).
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