September is National Cholesterol Education Month, and a good reminder to focus on heart health. Regardless of your age or gender, ensuring the health of your heart starts with regular checkups—a simple step you can take each year that doesn’t cost you a thing! When you’re enrolled in a Transocean medical plan, routine preventive care is covered at 100%.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), heart disease is the number one leading cause of death in the U.S. More than one million Americans have a heart attack each year and about 500,000 die of heart disease. High blood cholesterol is one of the major risk factors for heart disease, causing heart attack and stroke.

What is cholesterol, anyway?

High cholesterol is something we hear about a lot, but do we really know what it means? According to the Mayo Clinic, cholesterol is a waxy substance found in your blood. Your body needs cholesterol to build healthy cells, but high levels of cholesterol can increase your risk of heart disease.

Why is high cholesterol bad for you?

High cholesterol can cause you to develop fatty deposits in your blood vessels. Eventually, these deposits grow, making it difficult for enough blood to flow through your arteries. Sometimes, those deposits can break suddenly and form a clot that causes a heart attack or stroke.

What can you do to help prevent high cholesterol?

Making healthy lifestyle choices can prevent or help lower high cholesterol. The good news is there is no need to change your entire routine. Making a few lifestyle changes can help:

• See your primary care doctor for an annual physical, which should include blood work.
• Learn more about cholesterol numbers and what those numbers mean.
• Eat a low-salt diet with lots of fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
• Limit the amount of saturated and trans fats, and use healthy unsaturated fats in moderation.
• Lose extra pounds and maintain a healthy weight.
• Quit using tobacco.
• Exercise at least five days a week for at least 30 minutes.
• Drink alcohol in moderation, or cut it out altogether.
• Manage stress and anxiety.

These are just a few facts about cholesterol and how you can live a heart smart lifestyle. Learn more about National Cholesterol Education Month and access cholesterol tools and resources through the American Heart Association.

The health of your heart is critical and preventing high cholesterol is your ticket to maintaining good health and avoiding heart attacks and strokes, especially as you age. Don’t put it off, get heart smart today!

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