Cholesterol Resources

Source: National Cholesterol Education Program

Cholesterol is a fat-like substance found in blood and is an important part of body functions. However too much cholesterol in the blood is a risk factor for strokes and heart attacks. Cholesterol can stick to other material in the blood and form plaque that causes atherosclerosis (the "hardening of arteries").

Types of Cholesterol


• LDL Cholesterol is also known as the "bad" cholesterol or low-density lipoprotein. If too much LDL cholesterol is in the blood stream, cholesterol will build up on the walls of the arteries.



• HDL Cholesterol is also known as the "good" cholesterol or high-density lipoprotein. High levels of the HDL cholesterol lowers the risk of a heart attack.



• Triglyceride is a form of fat. Triglycerides are naturally made by the body and is found in the food we eat. People with high triglyceride levels also tend to have high levels of LDL (the "bad" cholesterol) and low levels of HDL (the "good" cholesterol).

Cholesterol Education Materials

• Understanding Your Cholesterol Numbers (Start with Your Heart)
• Understanding Your Cholesterol Numbers (Spanish) (Start with Your Heart)
• High Blood Cholesterol: What you need to know (National Cholesterol Education Program)
• Your Guide to Lowering Your Cholesterol with TLC (US Department of Health and Human Services)
• Cut Down Your Cholesterol (University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill)
• Stroke and Cholesterol (National Stroke Association)
• US Against Athero

Community Resources

• Cholesterol Fact Sheet (CDC)
• Outcome Indicators for Policy and System Change: Controlling High Cholesterol (National Heart Disease & Stroke Prevention Program)
• Screening for Lipid Disorders in Adults (US Preventive Service Task Force)
• ATP III Guidelines At-A-Glance Quick Desk References (National Cholesterol Education Program)
• Mobilizing African American Communities to Address Disparities in Cardiovascular Health (The Baltimore City CV Health Partnership Strategy Development Workshop Summary Report, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute)
• Advances in Cholesterol Management: Webcasts (National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Conference-June 2011)

For more information about Cholesterol Awareness Month (September), please see the Awareness month page.