Private MD News

September is cholesterol education month

Category: Heart Health and Cholesterol

As summer turns to fall, weekend barbecues cool off and people settle into their winter habits, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says it is now the perfect time to get a cholesterol test.

The health agency has proclaimed September as National Cholesterol Education Month, and will be hosting a series of events aimed at raising people's awareness of the importance of maintaining healthy cholesterol levels.

Many of the events will be put on by local health departments, and will vary by location. However, all will include efforts to make cholesterol testing more available.

CDC officials say that more than 102 million Americans over age 20 have high cholesterol. This puts them at an elevated risk of developing heart disease, which is the leading cause of death in the nation, despite the fact that it is entirely preventable.

High Cholesterol has no symptoms, which means that screening is the only way for individuals to determine their heart health, according to agency officials. Cholesterol levels can be determined with a simple blood test.

The CDC urges individuals to have their cholesterol checked every five years.