Have you had your cholesterol levels checked lately? High cholesterol is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, which can lead to a heart attack or stroke -- and which kills more men and women each year than any other illness.

High blood cholesterol has no warning signs. People diagnosed with high cholesterol often feel fine and therefore may not take their condition seriously.

Have your cholesterol levels checked regularly. If your level is high, there are a lot of steps you can take to lower it.

I. Let's Get Started

Step 1: The Dangers of High Cholesterol

Step 2: Types of Cholesterol

Step 3: What Causes High Cholesterol?

II. Diagnosing High Cholesterol

Step 4: Symptoms of High Cholesterol

Step 5: Cholesterol Screening and Testing

III. Managing Your Cholesterol Level

Step 6: Maintain Healthy Habits

Step 7: Cholesterol-Lowering Drugs

Step 8: You and Your Doctor are a Team

Learn More Butter, Margarine, and Cooking Oils -- What Should You Use? Children Can Have High Cholesterol, Too! Drug Treatments: Bile Acid Resins Drug Treatments: Cholesterol Absorption Inhibitors Drug Treatments: Fibrates and Probucol Drug Treatments: Nicotinic Acid Drug Treatments: Statins Drug Treatments: Using More Than One Drug High Cholesterol and Memory Loss

Helpful Handouts Questions to Ask Your Doctor

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