September 4, 2025

September is National Cholesterol Education Month, a great time to learn about the importance of maintaining healthy cholesterol levels to reduce the risk of heart ❤️ disease and stroke.

So, what is cholesterol? Cholesterol is a natural substance your body needs, but too much of the “bad” LDL kind can lead to heart disease and stroke. The “good” HDL cholesterol helps clear LDL from your system.

How do you know your cholesterol levels? With routine blood work. In fact, we look at cholesterol levels at our health screenings. Join us for our next Free Health Screening that includes blood pressure, glucose and cholesterol screening.

WHEN: Nov. 12 from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m.
WHERE: St. Joseph’s/Candler Be Health & Well-Being Office at the

SJ/C Heartwood Campus, 3866 Belfast Keller Road

Open to all residents. You must register through the app so if you don’t already have it, download it today! If you need the code specific to Heartwood residents please reach out to me at behealth@sjchs.com.

Healthy tips to control cholesterol: Small daily choices = big heart health benefits!

1. Eat smart for your heart.

• Increase fiber: Oats, beans, apples and berries help lower LDL “bad” cholesterol.
• Choose healthy fats: Use olive oil, avocado and nuts instead of butter or lard.
• Limit trans fats: Found in packaged snacks, fried foods and margarine.
• Eat fatty fish: Salmon, mackerel and sardines are rich in omega-3s.

2. Move more, sit less!

• Aim for 30 minutes of activity at least 5 days a week.
• Brisk walks, ‘fitness snacks’, biking, swimming or dancing all count!
• Take the stairs, park farther away and stretch every hour!

3. De-stress daily. Chronic stress can raise cholesterol. Try:

• Deep breathing
• Mindful walks
• Gentle yoga or meditation
• Journaling or gratitude lists

4. Quit smoking and cut alcohol: Smoking lowers HDL (good) cholesterol. Quitting helps it bounce back fast. Excessive drinking can raise cholesterol and blood pressure so limit alcohol to one drink per day for females and two drinks per day for males.

5. Know Your Numbers: Ask your doctor for a lipid panel (blood test) to check your:

• Total cholesterol
• LDL (bad)
• HDL (good)
• Triglycerides

And, a few bonus tricks to keep it all under control:

• Swap chips for air-popped popcorn or veggies and hummus
• Use spices (like garlic or turmeric) instead of extra salt or butter
• Drink green tea instead of sugary drinks
• Cook at home more often — it’s easier to control ingredients

Let’s keep our hearts healthy and our neighborhoods strong together!