Organizations
American Heart Association (AHA) Founded in 1924, this nonprofit and advocacy organization funds research on heart disease and educates the public on how to treat and prevent heart disease and related conditions, including high cholesterol. National Lipid Association This leading organization for physicians and researchers promotes best practices for both professionals and the public in lipid management, including high cholesterol. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) The NHLBI is the third largest research institute within the federally funded National Institutes of Health. Along with other disorders, it also provides information on the treatment and prevention of heart disease. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) This U.S. federal agency funds research and provides information on high cholesterol, including studying its prevalence nationwide. Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Dedicated to educating the public and improving general health through better eating, this organization is the world’s largest group of credentialed nutrition and dietetics practitioners. The FH Foundation This patient-centered nonprofit organization advocates for more research on familial hypercholesterolemia (FH), as well as increased public awareness and earlier diagnosis.
Financial Assistance
Social Security Administration For people under a certain income level, this federal agency offers numerous insurance and safety net programs to help you pay for any prescription medications. Partnership for Prescription Assistance If financial concerns are keeping you off cholesterol-lowering medication, this free service can connect you to programs that can help you pay for prescription drugs. NeedyMeds This organization provides a drug discount card and resources for finding pharmacies with the lowest prices.
Statistics and Information
NHLBI — Cholesterol This page from the third largest federally funded research and advocacy institute provides further information and comprehensive statistics on high cholesterol. CDC — High Cholesterol Facts The CDC provides comprehensive, up to date information on the prevalence of high cholesterol in the United States, as well as general recommendations for public health. Cleveland Clinic — Cholesterol Numbers: What Do They Mean This article is the Cleveland Clinic’s guide to understanding the results of your lipid panel or cholesterol numbers.
Medication and Therapies
The following articles provide information on prescription drugs used to treat high cholesterol:
What are Statins?Lipitor (atorvastatin)Livalo (pitavastatin)Pravachol (pravastatin)Zocor (simvastatin)Crestor (rosuvastatin)Zetia (ezetimibe)Welchol (colesevelam)Trilipix (fenofibric acid)Lopid (gemfibrozil)NiacinWhy Cholesterol Treatment Is Different for Everyone
Alternative Therapies
College of Naturopathic Medicine (UK) — Eating to Counteract High-Cholesterol This page describes a diet-based, naturopath-approved approach to lowering high cholesterol, many of which mirror lifestyle recommendations by conventional health providers. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health — Cholesterol Management at a Glance This article lays out supplement and nutritional approaches to lowering high cholesterol, along with supporting evidence. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health — Red Yeast Rice This page provides comprehensive general and scientific information on red yeast rice, a Chinese medicinal product marketed as a cholesterol-lowering supplement.
Nutritional Information and Recipes
Mayo Clinic — Cholesterol: Top Foods to Improve Your Numbers This page provides a list of cholesterol and heart-healthy foods from one of the top ranked health systems in the nation. AHA — Recipes for Cholesterol Management In addition to offering cooking skill videos and other info on how to eat for heart health, the AHA also keeps a database of heart-healthy recipes that can also help manage high cholesterol. How Does Your Diet Affect Your Cholesterol Levels? Cholesterol-Fighting Recipes How Low Will Your Cholesterol Go on a Vegetarian Diet? How to Follow a Low-Cholesterol Diet
Cholesterol Tools and Online Quizzes
AHA — Online Cholesterol Tools The AHA provides a list of online information and tools, including its “Check. Change. Control” calculator, for people looking to learn about, prevent, and manage high cholesterol. The Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease (ASCVD) Risk Calculator Best used with a physician’s guidance, the American College of Cardiology’s (ACC) online risk calculator can help you determine your individual heart disease risk. American Association for Clinical Chemistry — Lab Tests Online This online, board-approved lab testing resources provides information on cholesterol tests and options for online referrals. University of Rochester Medical Center — Take the Cholesterol Quiz The University of Rochester offers a quiz to test how well you understand the importance and impact of cholesterol on human health.
Patient Stories
AHA — She Tried Diet and Exercise. But Her High Cholesterol Came From Her Genes AHA — A Father’s Death at 37 Unveils a Hidden History of Cholesterol Living With Very High Cholesterol Levels: Mackenzie’s Story
Clinical Trials
ACC — Manage Your Care: Clinical Trials This page educates patients who are curious about participating in clinical trials and how they work. ClinicalTrials.gov This website provides a searchable database of clinical trials nationwide, including those related to high cholesterol. CenterWatch — Find a Trial This site gives information about clinical trials in a variety of formats for both healthcare providers and patients.
