Reprinted from the Health District's quarterly publication mailed to district residents (Fall 2001)

With the increase of sedentary, high-fat and high-stress lifestyles, it’s rare that medical advice includes a direction to spend more time in front of the computer.

www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/index.htm

The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) is one of 27 separate institutes and centers of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Although the NHLBI, like other NIH institutes, is research-oriented, there is a wealth of consumer information on their Web site.

From the NHLBI home page, click on “Health Information” and then follow the links for “Heart and Vascular Disease” under the “For Patients and the General Public” section. Follow the link for “Cholesterol” and you’re just a heartbeat away from learning more about this important risk factor for heart disease. 

Start by testing your cholesterol understanding with the “Cholesterol and Heart Disease IQ” test. Then pump up your basic knowledge by reading “Facts about Blood Cholesterol.” Within this publication, you’ll find information about heart healthy diets, kids and cholesterol and cholesterol testing. 

For a more interactive experience, back up and click on “Live Healthier, Live Longer.” Two modules are available, one for people wishing to prevent heart disease and another for those who already have it. 

The “Prevention” module defines good (HDL) and bad (LDL) cholesterol and explains in plain words how cholesterol levels relate to heart disease. There is a risk assessment tool that helps users estimate their risk of developing coronary heart disease in the next 10 years. 

The second module is similar to the first, but includes additional information for people already diagnosed with coronary heart disease. The modules overlap in many places because the lifestyle modifications recommended for treating high cholesterol are also effective in prevention.

Don’t let the presentation of this information fool you. Although these interactive pages—and the site in general —are less flashy than commercial counterparts, NHLBI sets the standard for quality patient information. 

September is National Cholesterol Awareness Month and a great time to visit this comprehensive site on cholesterol and heart disease. But remember—information gathered from this and any other Web site should never substitute for personalized medical advice from a healthcare provider.