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Cholesterol Management Health Center

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High Cholesterol - Prevention

You can help prevent high cholesterol by:

  • Eating a diet low in saturated fat, trans fat, and cholesterol.
  • Getting plenty of exercise.
  • Managing your weight.
  • Not smoking.

Because cholesterol levels tend to increase with age, paying attention to diet and exercise is even more important as you get older.

Recommended Related to Cholesterol Management

Checklist: A Diet to Lower Cholesterol & Lose Weight

It's not just what you eat that counts in a diet to lower cholesterol, it's how much you eat. Being overweight increases your risk of having high LDL bad cholesterol, and low HDL good cholesterol. Often, just losing weight can help you lower your cholesterol. Here are six tips to help you get started. ___ Follow the TLC Diet to lower cholesterol.  It's custom-designed to help you maintain a healthy weight for you. ___ Read the labels -- carefully! That package of pasta may say it's only 330...

Read the Checklist: A Diet to Lower Cholesterol & Lose Weight article > >

Some people may not be able to prevent high cholesterol with lifestyle changes. Family history or certain conditions that cause the body to make too much cholesterol can raise levels even with lifestyle changes. In these cases, medicine can help.

Remember that high cholesterol is just one of the things that increase your risk for heart attack and stroke. Controlling other health problems, such as high blood pressure and diabetes, can also help reduce your overall risk.

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: July 11, 2008
This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.
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