Know Your NumbersBy Editorial Staff Ignorance may be bliss, but not when it comes to cholesterol. While most people understand the health risks associated with high cholesterol, women in particular aren't taking the time to proactively monitor and control it. According to a nationwide survey released by the Society for Women's Health Research, 79 percent of women know how much they weighed in high school, but less than one-third know their cholesterol number. Moreover, only half of the women surveyed had a cholesterol test done in the past year. Although 63 percent said they were concerned about cholesterol and nearly 60 percent indicated they were actively trying to control their cholesterol, only 32 percent knew their actual cholesterol number. Women generally are well-educated about cholesterol and its impact on their overall health. Almost nine out of 10 women (88 percent) surveyed know high cholesterol is linked to hardening of the arteries and heart disease, and almost as many (85 percent) know it can lead to stroke. In terms of prevention, the vast majority of women know how to control cholesterol: exercise (96 percent), eating more fruits and vegetables (95 percent) and eating foods low in fat (94 percent). The survey also produced the following results:
If you're concerned about your cholesterol, or if it has been a while since you had it checked, take the first step toward improving your health - find out your numbers and discuss them with your doctor. Page printed from: http://www.toyourhealth.com/mpacms/tyh/article.php?id=962&no_paginate=true&no_b=true |