As a brief review of earlier chapters, there are some guidelines to help you achieve your goal of lowering cholesterol include:

• Have a Lipoprotein Profile conducted while fasting to determine what your levels of Total, LDL, and HDL cholesterol is.
• Use an ATP III Assessment Tool to calculate your risk for heart disease. To access this tool, click on http://hin.nhlbi.nih.gov/atpiii/calculator.asp.
• Make an appointment to discuss your overall risk with your physician. He or she will be able to provide you with a solid plan of reducing or eliminating any risks.
• When shopping, read food labels. Stay away from things made with saturated fats and look for unsaturated or vegetable oils instead. For more information on what to look for, refer to this Website - http://nhlbisupport.com/chd1/FoodLabel/foodlabel.htm.
• Use an online BMI calculator to determine your overall body mass. One such calculator can be found at http://www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi/bmicalc.htm.
• Get involved in some form of physical exercise. Even if you are not able to exercise with intensity, a brisk walk will be a huge benefit. This online Virtual Fitness Room offers all types of options - http://nhlbisupport.com/chd1/Tipsheets/vfitness.htm.

If you are a smoker - stop! Smoking is extremely hard on the heart and overall health. If you are unable to stop by yourself, consult with your physician to discuss the best method of support.