American Heart Association®
Healthy for Good
TM
HOW TO CONTROL CHOLESTEROL
UNDERSTAND CHOLESTEROL
TIPS FOR
Cholesterol is a fat-like substance that comes from two s ources:
FOOD and your BODY. SUCCESS
It is found in foods from animal sources only. It travels in the
body by lipoproteins (LDL and HDL).
EAT SMART
HDL = GOOD
High-density lipoprotein is known as “good” cholesterol. Eat a healthy diet of vegetables,
fruits, whole grains, beans, legumes,
nuts, plant-based proteins, lean
animal proteins like fish and seafood.
LDL = BAD Limit sugary foods and drinks, red
or processed meats, salty foods,
Low-density lipoprotein is known as “bad” cholesterol. refined carbohydrates and highly
processed foods.
HDL helps keep LDL from sticking to artery walls and reduces plaque
buildup. This process can lower the risk of heart disease and stroke. MOVE MORE
heart.org/cholesterol
Physical activity helps improve
cholesterol levels.
TRIGLYCERIDES TOTAL CHOLESTEROL
The most common type HDL level + LDL level + 1/5th of triglyceride
of fat in the body. level = total cholesterol level. KNOW YOUR FATS
The fats you eat can affect your
cholesterol levels. Replace saturated
TRACK LEVELS fats with unsaturated fats.
NO NICOTINE
Smoking lowers good HDL cholesterol.
It also raises your risk of heart disease.
A health care professional can measure Track your cholesterol levels
your blood cholesterol and help over time and take steps
you understand what the levels mean in to reduce high cholesterol.
context of your overall heart health.. TAKE MEDICATION
AS DIRECTED
Check your heart disease risk with the Check. Change. Control. Calculator.
Your health care professional may
Learn more at heart.org/lifes8 prescribe statins or other medications
to control your cholesterol levels.
© 2022 American Heart Association, Inc., a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit. All rights reserved. Unauthorized use prohibited. Citations available upon request. 7/22 DS19388
