With so much information available, it can be difficult to understand what cholesterol is and why it is important.
Knowing your personal risk of developing heart disease and controlling your cholesterol early through healthy habits, regular screenings, and informed care is key to heart and brain health.
The following tips from the American Heart Association can help you understand why cholesterol is important, how to control it, and how lifestyle habits can affect your long-term heart health.
Cholesterol is essential
Cholesterol is a waxy substance found throughout the body. Your body makes all the cholesterol it needs to perform important functions, such as helping to form cells and produce certain hormones.
The problem arises when there is too much “bad” cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein, or LDL) in the blood, which can increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. Having enough “good” cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein, or HDL) in your blood can help reduce that risk.
“Cholesterol itself is not the enemy. Our bodies need moderate levels to function,” says Roger S. Blumenthal, MD, FAHA, chair of the 2026 Dyslipidemia Guideline writing group and American Heart Association volunteer national expert and cardiologist.
“The goal is balance. Healthy lifestyle habits are a powerful step to keeping LDL cholesterol within a healthy range and protecting your heart and brain in the long term,” he emphasizes.
Cholesterol in the blood vs. cholesterol in food
Having too much cholesterol in the blood, the type measured in a cholesterol test, can cause plaque buildup in the arteries (atherosclerosis), which increases the risk of heart disease and heart attack or stroke.
Blood cholesterol levels are influenced by overall eating patterns, lifestyle habits, genetics and other health factors, not just cholesterol in foods.
Enjoy vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans, nuts, seeds, unsaturated fats, and lean proteins as part of an overall healthy eating pattern.
Limit ultra-processed foods that are high in saturated fat, added sugars, and sodium.
Know your levels and understand your risk
Adults age 19 and older should have their cholesterol checked at least every five years, as recommended by the American Heart Association.
A lipid profile, or cholesterol test, is a blood test that provides results of your HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and total blood cholesterol.
Other risk factors, such as age, family history, smoking, and other factors, should also be considered to determine your risk of developing heart disease or stroke.
Work with your healthcare professional to understand your results and design a treatment plan based on your risk level.
Cholesterol control: lifestyle is essential
For many people, healthy lifestyle habits are the basis for controlling cholesterol.
Eating a healthy diet, getting regular physical activity, maintaining a healthy weight, getting enough sleep, avoiding tobacco products, and controlling blood pressure and blood sugar can help support heart health.
Cholesterol-lowering medications
In addition to healthy lifestyle habits, some people may need cholesterol-lowering medications depending on their overall risk of developing heart disease or stroke.
If side effects occur, talk to a health care professional. Another medication or approach may be more appropriate, and following the recommended treatment plan can help protect long-term heart health.
Cholesterol in children
High cholesterol doesn’t just affect adults. It can begin in childhood, especially in children with inherited conditions or other risk factors, so early detection is important.
Cholesterol testing is recommended for children who have not been previously screened between ages 9 and 11 to help assess their risk and guide medical care, as well as initiate wellness habits such as prioritizing healthy foods, exercising daily, and getting enough sleep.
These small lifestyle changes can help reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke in adulthood.
For more information and resources on heart health, visit Heart.org/KnowYourCholesterol.
