By Vi Lam
October 2026 | 2026 Fall Newsletter
September is National Cholesterol Education Month, a time to review and raise awareness about cholesterol. So, what is cholesterol? Cholesterol is a waxy substance that helps build the cells we need and makes certain hormones. We get cholesterol from our liver and the food we consume (usually in the form of meat, poultry, and dairy products).
Our body has two types of cholesterol- the good and the bad:
- High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL) Cholesterol. HDL cholesterol is often called “good” cholesterol because the liver breaks it down and flushes it from the body. The HDL cholesterol picks up excess cholesterol in the blood and carries it back to the liver.
- Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) Cholesterol: LDL Cholesterol is often called the “bad” cholesterol, as it can build up in arterial walls, causing clots to form in the narrow space and, over time, increasing the risk of heart attack and stroke.
The American Heart Association states that at least 1 in 4 adults in the U.S. have high LDL cholesterol. Several factors can increase the risk of high LDL, including age, family history, smoking, diabetes, and blood pressure. Those who have high LDL might not show or feel any symptoms, which is why it is crucial to get your cholesterol level checked yearly with your doctor.
When was the last time you had your cholesterol level checked? If you haven’t scheduled your doctor’s visit, ask them to check your levels. In the meantime, you can find out more at heart.org/en/health-topics/cholesterol/about-cholesterol and share resources with others using the Cholesterol Communications Toolkit cdc.gov/cholesterol/php/toolkit/index.html.