You're at increased risk if you have a close blood relative - such as a mother, father, sister, brother, or child - who has been diagnosed with high cholesterol or coronary heart disease. Why? Because heart disease tends to run in families. You may also be at risk for a form of inherited high cholesterol called familial hypercholesterolemia.
To reduce your risk, take these actions.
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- See your doctor for a cholesterol test and a complete assessment of your heart health, including a thorough review of your family history.
- Work on reducing any of your risk factors that you can control. For instance, eat a healthy diet, exercise, lose weight if you are overweight, and quit smoking.
Learn more information about cholesterol and heart health by visiting the following links:
- Could eating too much salt cause high blood pressure?
- How common is high blood pressure?
- How is blood pressure measured?
- How does my blood pressure determine my treatment plan?
- Could eating too much salt cause high blood pressure?
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