September is Cholesterol Education Month, and pharmacists play an important role in educating their community on this often overlooked topic.

Take this month as a reminder to inform patients of important facts about their heart health and tips on how to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

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Cholesterol Facts

Here are some fast facts about cholesterol…

– Over 90 million American adults have high cholesterol levels

– Heart disease is the leading cause of death, worldwide

– Adults over 20 should get their cholesterol checked every 4-6 years

– Children can be affected too, not only adults

– Heredity can be a factor, such as in familial hypercholesterolemia

And most importantly- there are usually no symptoms for high cholesterol.

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Your Role in Heart Health

That’s where community pharmacies come into play. Consider providing cholesterol screening as an additional service for your patients.

A quick blood test can help improve the lives of people in your community and expand your pharmacy’s offering of robust services.

Supporting heart health aligns with maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Medication is necessary in some cases, but this is not the only way to regulate cholesterol levels.

When counseling patients, remember to also encourage regular exercise, a low-fat and high-fiber diet, and refraining from smoking.  

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Conclusion

Take charge in your community to raise awareness and encourage practicing preventative care.

While it’s important to know the dangerous risks of high cholesterol, getting check-ups does not have to be a daunting task.

Focus on spreading the positives of taking charge of your health- and by building these healthy habits you can help strengthen the overall well-being of your community.