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The Heart Truth—A National Awareness Campaign for Women About Heart Disease
The Heart Truth
A National Awareness Campaign for Women About Heart Disease

Risk Factor Spotlight: High Cholesterol

The Heart Truth® campaign urges women to talk with their doctor to find out if they have risk factors for heart disease. Risk factors, such as high blood cholesterol, are conditions or habits that make a person more likely to develop a disease. When there is too much cholesterol—a fat-like substance—in your blood, it builds up in the walls of your arteries and increases your risk of developing heart disease.

Nearly 1 in every 2 American women has high or borderline high cholesterol. The condition usually has no signs or symptoms, so many people don't know that their cholesterol levels are too high.

Heart Disease Risk Factor Infographic: High Cholesterol.

When there is too much cholesterol—a fat-like substance—in your blood, it builds up in the walls of your arteries and increases your risk of developing heart disease. Know your total cholesterol, your LDL (bad) cholesterol, and your HDL (good) cholesterol, and triglycerides. Make an appointment to get tested.

High cholesterol by age
20s: 22%
30s: 38%
40s: 50%
50s: 62%

Nearly 1 in every 2 American women has high or borderline high cholesterol.

Total cholesterol numbers:
High: 240 mg/dL and above
Borderline high: 200-239 md/dL
Desirable: Less than 200 mg/dL

(See more risk factor infographics from The Heart Truth.)

Knowing your cholesterol numbers is important, even when you're feeling fine. If your cholesterol levels are normal, you can work with your doctor to keep it that way. If your levels are too high, your doctor will advise you about treatment with lifestyle changes and medicines. Check out these resources for more information:

Heart Truth badge that can be downloaded on the Healthy Action Community web page

Pledge to live heart healthy in 2012. Get a free badge or banner to post to your website or blog.

Sisters Joan and Bonnie, who have been personally affected by heart disease, pose and smile together.

Are you at risk? Here's how to find out.



Campaign Materials

Spread The Heart Truth in your community with free posters, brochures, DVDs, and more.

Speaker's Kit cover featuring three women in red.

Our speaker's kit and video features several inspiring stories from real women.


The Heart Truth Logo

Planning to use The Heart Truth logo? Check out our logo guidelines and downloads.

Dresses on view during a Road Show event at a mall

The Heart Truth, in collaboration with Ladies' Home Journal, travels to cities across the United States.


Last Updated: September 6, 2012

® The Heart Truth, its logo, The Red Dress, and Heart Disease Doesn't Care What You Wear—It's the #1 Killer of Women are registered trademarks of HHS.
® National Wear Red Day is a registered trademark of HHS and AHA.

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