Cholesterol and Heart Disease
Why Should You Keep an Eye on Your Cholesterol Levels?
Why does your cholesterol matter? Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance found in all the cells of your body, and it can be helpful or harmful, depending on how much you have and what it's up to.
Together, all the fatty acids in your blood ("good" HDL cholesterol, "bad" LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, etc.) make up your cholesterol levels. And if you have too much of the bad fats making up your cholesterol levels, it can increase your risk for cardiovascular disease, a leading cause of death for both women and men in the United States.
(Don't know your "good" cholesterol from your "bad"? Here’s the difference between HDL and LDL cholesterol.)
But here's the happy news: From adjusting your diet and exercising more to taking medication, there's a lot you can do to manage your cholesterol and protect your heart. And doing everything you can to keep your cholesterol within a healthy range may be easier than you think.
Afraid having high cholesterol means giving up your favorite foods? Think again. Dig into these 8 cholesterol-friendly foods.)
