The American Heart Association created a series of Hard Hats with Heart Toolbox Talks with cardiovascular health tips and resources specifically for the construction industry to keep the workforce healthy. This weeks Toolbox Talk discusses tips on how to control your cholesterol.
What is Cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a fatlike substance in your blood. Your liver makes all the cholesterol you need. The remainder of your cholesterol comes from foods from animals. For example, meat, poultry and dairy products all contain dietary cholesterol. Though it’s essential for hood health, too much cholesterol can put you at risk for heart disease or stroke.
Tips for Maintaining Healthy Cholesterol
- Eat a healthy diet of veggies, fruits, whole grains beans and lean proteins like fish.
- Move more – physical activity improves your cholesterol levels
- Replace saturated fats with unsaturated fats
- No nicotine: smoking lowers your good “HDL” cholesterol
- Take medications as directed by your doctor
Controlling cholesterol is an important element of the American Heart Association’s Life’s Essential 8 – the key measures for improving cardiovascular health.
