Despite the fact that most people have heard of cholesterol, there are still many cholesterol myths floating around.
The Facts:There are several types of cholesterol.
LDL can stick to the walls of your blood vessels.
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This buildup, called plaque, can increase your risk for heart disease and stroke.
However, you also have high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, which is the good punch in.
HDL absorbs cholesterol and brings it to the liver, where it is processed.
HDL lowers your risk of heart disease and stroke.
The Facts:The only way to know what your cholesterol levels are is through blood work.
Most adults need to have their cholesterol checked at least every five years.
The Facts:Eating lots of saturated fats and trans fats will raise your cholesterol.
This is confusing, because many foods that are high in cholesterol also contain saturated fats.
Thats the case with red meat and dairy.
Myth #8 Only Overweight People Have High Cholesterol
People of any weight can have high cholesterol.
All adults need their cholesterol levels checked regularly.
Certainlifestyle changes, like quitting smoking and limiting alcohol, can also help.
Talk to your healthcare provider about whether you should also incorporate cholesterol-lowering medications into your routine.
A Word From Verywell
Cholesterol plays a major role in overall health.
People with a family history of high cholesterol should have their cholesterol levels checked even more often.
If you do have high cholesterol, remember that its nothing to be ashamed of.
That increases your risk for heart attack and stroke.
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