FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Aug. 27, 2007
DHEC urges awareness of cholesterol numbers to reduce heart attack and stroke risk
COLUMBIA – September is being observed as National Cholesterol Awareness Month, the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control announced today.
“DHEC encourages South Carolinians to know the facts about cholesterol, because knowing your cholesterol numbers can help reduce your risk for a heart attack or stroke,” said Dory Masters, director of DHEC’s Division of Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention.
“There are two types of cholesterol, ‘good’ and ‘bad,’” Masters said. “It is important to understand the difference, and to know the levels of each type of cholesterol in your blood.”
Masters said when too much bad cholesterol circulates in the blood, it can slowly build up in the inner walls of the arteries to the heart and brain. If a clot forms andblocks a narrowed artery, a heart attack or stroke can result.
Masters recommends taking the following steps to keep cholesterol numbers under control:
- Schedule a health screening
- Eat foods low in cholesterol and saturated fat
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Exercise regularly
- Follow your healthcare professional's advice
DHEC’s Division of Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention works with community partners and programs to improve the cardiovascular health and quality of life of South Carolinians through the prevention, detection and treatment of risk factors; early identification and treatment of cardiovascular diseases; and prevention of recurrent cardiovascular events. For more information, visit DHEC’s Web site at: http://www.scdhec.gov/hdsp.
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For more information:
Betsy Crick – (803) 545-4496
E-mail – crickec@dhec.sc.gov
or
Adam Myrick – (803) 898-3884
E-mail – myrickar@dhec.sc.gov
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