Call the American Heart Association (AHA) to find your nearest local or state AHA group. The AHA can provide brochures and information on support groups and community programs, including Mended Hearts, a nationwide organization whose members visit heart patients and provide information and support. AHA's Web site also has health information on various heart-related conditions.

Contact the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) of the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) for information on the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP). The NCEP can provide information on high cholesterol as a risk factor for heart disease and stroke. You'll also find information on cholesterol-lowering diets, recipes, exercise, weight loss, and lifestyle changes.