Managing Your Cholesterol

Harvard Course Overview

Learn actionable strategies to reduce cholesterol and improve heart health. Harvard experts provide practical tools to help you take control of your cardiovascular well-being.

Call (573) 581-1332 to register.

Why Managing Your Cholesterol Matters

Cholesterol is essential for building healthy cells, but when levels become imbalanced, it poses a significant threat to cardiovascular health. For one in six adults, high cholesterol levels—especially elevated LDL ("bad cholesterol")—double the risk of heart disease and stroke.

At the Audrain County Health Department’s Health and Wellness Academy, we empower participants to take control of their cholesterol and overall health. With proper management, it’s possible to reduce these risks, protect your heart, and lead a healthier, more vibrant life.

The Impact of High Cholesterol

Cholesterol is a waxy substance your body uses to build cells and produce essential hormones. However, an excess of LDL cholesterol can lead to plaque buildup in the arteries, narrowing them and increasing the risk of heart attack and stroke. On the other hand, HDL ("good cholesterol") helps remove LDL from the bloodstream, playing a crucial role in cardiovascular health.

Imbalanced cholesterol levels often develop due to:

Poor dietary choices, including high saturated and trans fat intake.
Lack of physical activity.
Genetic factors, such as familial hypercholesterolemia.
Other conditions, including obesity, diabetes, and hypothyroidism.

High cholesterol is a modifiable risk factor, meaning that with the right strategies, it can be managed effectively. Understanding your cholesterol levels and how to improve them is a vital step toward better heart health.

Why This Course is Important

The Managing Your Cholesterol course offers participants the tools and knowledge needed to monitor, understand, and control cholesterol levels effectively. By focusing on evidence-based strategies, this program provides practical solutions for improving heart health through diet, exercise, and, if necessary, medications.

At ACHD, our commitment to Client-First Care ensures each participant receives personalized guidance, empowering them to make informed decisions and create sustainable habits for long-term wellness.

What You’ll Learn

Participants will gain:

Understanding Cholesterol: Learn the differences between LDL and HDL cholesterol, their roles in the body, and how they affect your health.
Cholesterol Testing: Discover how to interpret test results and understand the influence of genetics on cholesterol levels.
Dietary Guidance: Explore heart-healthy eating plans designed to lower LDL cholesterol and raise HDL levels.
Exercise Recommendations: Understand how regular physical activity enhances cholesterol management and overall cardiovascular fitness.
Treatment Options: Gain insight into medications like statins, as well as alternative therapies for managing cholesterol.

Breaking the Cycle of Poor Heart Health

High cholesterol often contributes to a cycle of poor heart health. Plaque buildup in the arteries can lead to reduced blood flow, increasing the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular complications. Without intervention, this cycle can escalate, impacting overall quality of life.

The Managing Your Cholesterol course helps participants break this cycle by focusing on actionable steps to lower cholesterol levels and reduce cardiovascular risk. Through personalized plans and expert guidance, participants can make meaningful changes that support better heart health.

The Role of Lifestyle Changes

Lifestyle modifications are the cornerstone of cholesterol management. This course emphasizes sustainable habits that participants can incorporate into their daily lives, including:

Heart-Healthy Diets: Learn to choose foods rich in fiber, lean proteins, and healthy fats while limiting saturated and trans fats.
Regular Physical Activity: Discover the importance of aerobic exercise, strength training, and active living in improving cholesterol levels.
Weight Management: Understand how maintaining a healthy weight supports overall heart health.
Stress Reduction: Explore strategies to manage stress, which can indirectly affect cholesterol levels and cardiovascular health.

These changes not only improve cholesterol levels but also contribute to overall well-being, energy, and longevity.

Empowering Participants Through Knowledge

Education is the foundation of this course. Participants will leave with a deeper understanding of cholesterol management and how to collaborate with healthcare providers to create a personalized plan for success.

Interactive tools, real-life examples, and group discussions ensure that participants feel confident in their ability to take charge of their health. By understanding the "why" behind each strategy, they’ll be better equipped to maintain positive changes long after the course ends.

Protecting Your Health, Improving Quality of Life

Managing cholesterol isn’t just about reducing numbers on a blood test—it’s about protecting your heart, improving your quality of life, and preventing serious health complications. Taking control of your cholesterol is an investment in your future health and independence.

The Managing Your Cholesterol course aligns with ACHD’s mission to build a healthier, stronger community. By equipping individuals with tools for success, we’re helping them take proactive steps toward better health and well-being.

Join Us

Take charge of your heart health by enrolling in the Managing Your Cholesterol course. Together, we can build a healthier, more vibrant Audrain County—with you at the heart of our care.