National Cholesterol Education Month

By Robert Guenther • 12 Aug 2025 • 3 min read

September marks the transition from summer to fall, a time of new routines, fresh starts, and renewed focus on wellness. It’s also National Cholesterol Education Month, a timely reminder to take stock of your heart health.

There are close to 94 million people aged 20 and above in the U.S. with cholesterol levels considered borderline or high-cholesterol, almost 28% of the total population (342 million estimate, 2025) of our country. Some staggering statistics by the American Heart Association: approximately 7% of children (aged 6-11) and 8% of adolescents (aged 12-19) have high cholesterol levels. Adults from 20-39 also show a significant rate of high cholesterol; over 30% of this age group are potentially affected.

Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that is created by the liver, which produces all the cholesterol your body needs. Cholesterol envelops other molecules in the bloodstream to carry them throughout your vascular system. It is part of the makeup of cell membranes, hormones, and vitamin D. It also helps with digesting fatty foods.

We consume cholesterol regularly, from sources such as meat, poultry, seafood, eggs, and dairy. Regardless of how much cholesterol you ingest, your liver will continue to produce it as well. According to Dr. Romit Bhattacharya, the average American has from 2 to 5 times the amount of cholesterol that is biologically necessary.

There are different types of cholesterol:

HDL, high-density lipoprotein, is the “good” cholesterol. High levels can potentially lower the risk of stroke and heart disease. It absorbs other cholesterol types in the bloodstream and takes the excess back to the liver to be flushed out of the body.
LDL, low-density lipoprotein, is the “bad” cholesterol. High levels can cause plaque buildup in the arteries. Excess LDL can create fat and cholesterol deposits that narrow the path for blood flow and can lead to heart disease and stroke.
Triglycerides are used as an energy source; however, high levels can increase the risk of heart attack and stroke. Triglyceride levels in the blood fluctuate throughout the day and are mostly influenced by what we eat.
Total cholesterol: your HDL/LDL/Triglycerides levels combined.

Cholesterol levels are measured as mg/dL: milligrams per deciliter. The generally accepted healthy optimal levels:

HDL: at least 40 mg/dL for men, and 50 mg/dL for women
LDL: 100 mg/dL or lower
Triglycerides: less than 150 mg/dL
Total cholesterol: around 150 mg/dL

The Silent Killer:

High cholesterol has little to no outward symptoms. You should consult with your physician to be evaluated and have your levels checked via a blood test. According to a 2023 study by the CDC, unchecked arterial plaque caused by cholesterol can continue to build up and narrow blood flow. This is a strong contributor to the risk of heart disease and stroke, two of the leading causes of death in the U.S.

Additional risk factors, such as family history, obesity, type 2 diabetes, as well as lifestyle choices (smoking, drinking, low activity levels, a diet high in saturated and trans fats), can also compound the issue, leading to greater risk.

Prevention:

Although you can’t control family history and other predisposed conditions, you can focus on what can have a positive impact. Make healthy eating choices, maintain a healthy weight, consider appropriate vitamins and supplements (seek advice from your physician or dietician), participate in moderate physical activity (strive for 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week), quit smoking, and limit alcohol intake.

Let this September be a reminder about the risks of high cholesterol. Unmonitored, it can lead to greater health issues, potentially leading to heart disease, heart attacks, and stroke. The silent killer can be combatted by awareness, knowing your numbers and risks, and making healthy lifestyle choices. Wishing you good health year-round!

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