What’s for lunch today? Pizza and potato chips? Fish and salad?cholestero2.jpg

We love choices at mealtime, but many of us make poor ones by eating too many fatty foods. That’s why millions of Americans have high cholesterol, a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke.

Although national average cholesterol levels and heart disease-related deaths have declined during the past few years, high cholesterol is still a problem, health experts say. Most people with the condition also have high blood pressure, diabetes or other risk factors, further increasing their chance of a heart attack or other serious illness.

Most high cholesterol can be controlled with proper diet, regular exercise and, in some cases, medication. "It’s a lifestyle risk factor that can be managed by our everyday behaviors," says Michael Staufacker, director of program development at StayWell Health Management in St. Paul, Minn.

Employers can support employees who want to lower their cholesterol levels in all sorts of ways, from on-site screenings and lunch-and-learns to exercise breaks and healthier fare in vending machines. Benefitnews.com - A SourceMedia and Investcorp publication




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