American Heart Month

American Heart Month 2019: Let’s Talk About Cholesterol

Did you know that nearly 1 in 3 adults in the United States has high blood cholesterol, a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke?¹ High blood cholesterol can be hard to detect, as it often shows no signs or symptoms.

This year, the Division for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention (DHDSP) will focus on the impact that high blood cholesterol can have on the heart. Join DHDSP throughout February and beyond by starting important conversations about your heart health. Talk with your loved ones and health care team about how you can prevent and manage high blood cholesterol.

Spread the Word

Follow DHDSP on Twitter and Million Hearts^® on Facebook for American Heart Month messages you can share on your channels with a click of a button. You can also use and download the following social media messages and graphics to share with your followers:

Facebook/LinkedIn/Instagram

Follow and join the cholesterol conversations all month long by using #HeartMonth in your social media messages!

• What is blood cholesterol, and why is it important in preventing heart disease? Start with the basics at CDC [tag]. #HeartMonth http://bit.ly/2loCY9mExternal
• Managing cholesterol early in life is key to lowering your risk for heart disease. Here are 4 ways to take control of your cholesterol levels today. #HeartMonth http://bit.ly/2DLXXMZExternal
• High cholesterol typically doesn’t have symptoms, so many people may not know they are at risk. Talk with your doctor about getting regular screening tests. http://bit.ly/2x7EctJExternal
• When it comes to cholesterol, there’s the good and the bad. Find out what the difference between LDL and HDL cholesterol is and how it affects the heart. #HeartMonth http://bit.ly/2x7EctJExternal
• High cholesterol can run in the family, but there are everyday steps you can take together to lower your risk. Start the conversation with your loved ones about how to manage cholesterol. #HeartMonth http://bit.ly/2j4xyglExternal
• What are statins, and do you need to take them? Get the scoop on these cholesterol-lowering medicines. #HeartMonth http://bit.ly/2FAR6akExternal

Twitter

• What is blood #cholesterol, and why is it important in preventing #cardiovascular disease? Start with the basics at @CDCHeart_Stroke. http://bit.ly/2loCY9mExternal #HeartMonth
• Lower your risk for heart disease by managing #cholesterol. Here are 4 ways you can start today. http://bit.ly/2DLXXMZExternal #HeartMonth
• DYK high #cholesterol usually doesn’t have symptoms? That’s why it’s important to get tested regularly. Talk with your doctor about cholesterol screenings. http://bit.ly/2AtTuvxExternal #HeartMonth
• LDL vs. HDL #cholesterol: What’s the difference? @CDCHeart_Stroke explains. http://bit.ly/2x7EctJExternal #HeartMonth
• High #cholesterol can run in the #family—but you can work together to lower your risk. Start the conversation with your loved ones about how to manage cholesterol. http://bit.ly/2j4xyglExternal #HeartMonth
• What are #statins? What are their risks and benefits? Get the scoop on these cholesterol-lowering #medicines. http://bit.ly/2FAR6akExternal #HeartMonth

Shareable Graphics

Get Involved

#CardiacRehabChat: Improving Cardiac Rehabilitation Referral Rates

• Join Million Hearts^® (@MillionHeartsUS) at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (@AACVPR), and the American College of Cardiology (@ACCinTouch) for a Twitter chat on Tuesday, February 12th at 1:00 pm ET, in observance of National Cardiac Rehabilitation Week. The chat will highlight the importance of cardiac rehabilitation and how health care professionals can increase referral rates.

Facebook Live Experts Panel

• Join DHDSP for a Facebook live on Monday, February 25, from 12:30-1:00 p.m. ET, featuring a panel of cholesterol experts who will discuss and answer questions about high blood cholesterol, cholesterol management, and the 2018 American College of Cardiology (ACC)/American Heart Association (AHA) Guideline on the Management of Blood Cholesterol. Tune in by visiting facebook.com/millionhearts.

Additional Resources

For Consumers

• Cholesterol
  Get the facts on high blood cholesterol, its risk factors, and how to prevent and manage it.
• Cholesterol: Fact or Fiction?External
  Take this quiz to test your cholesterol smarts and learn more about cholesterol management.
• Cholesterol Myths and Facts
  Cholesterol can be confusing. Learn answers to common questions about blood cholesterol.
• Five Questions to Ask Your Doctor About Cholesterol
  Take these five important questions about cholesterol to your next checkup.
• How and When to Have Your Cholesterol Checked
  Knowing your cholesterol status can help you stay in control of your health. Read more about cholesterol screening and why it is important.
• Cholesterol Conversation Starters Cdc-pdf[PDF – 516 KB]
  Use these conversation starters to talk with your family and health care team about high cholesterol and heart health.

For Health Professionals

• 2018 Guideline on the Management of Blood CholesterolExternal
  Get the latest clinical guidelines released by the ACC, AHA, and others for additional updates to the 2013 recommendations.
• Cholesterol ManagementExternal
  Find resources and tools to help health professionals manage patients’ cholesterol.
• The Scoop on Statins: What Do You Need to Know?External
  Share answers to these eight commonly asked questions about statins.
• Cholesterol Communications Kit
  Use these shareable messages and graphics to help your audiences understand what blood cholesterol is and why managing blood cholesterol is important for reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Reference

1. Benjamin EJ, Blaha MJ, Chiuve SE, Cushman M, Das SR, Deo R, et al. Heart disease and stroke statistics—2017 update: a report from the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2017;135:e1–e458.