Health Tip: Risk Factors for High Cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a fat-like substance that's found naturally in the body. And while some cholesterol is necessary, too much of it built up in the blood increases your risk of heart disease.
The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute offers this list of factors that raise your risk of having high blood cholesterol:
- Eating foods that are high in cholesterol and saturated fats.
- Being overweight. Losing weight can help lower cholesterol and reduce heart disease risk.
- Not getting enough exercise. At least 30 minutes a day most days of the week is recommended.
- Smoking or having high blood pressure.
- Being a postmenopausal woman. After menopause, levels of LDL ("bad" cholesterol) naturally rise.
- Advancing age, which is a risk factor for both men and women.
- A family history of high cholesterol.
Health Tip: Help Protect Young Athletes
Participating in sports is a great way for kids to get exercise and to be involved in school and community, but precautions must be taken to help avoid injury.
The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons offers these recommendations to help young athletes stay safe:
- Make sure your child is fit enough to play his or her chosen sport.
- Your child should understand and follow the rules of the sport.
- Your child should always wear protective equipment, -- including a helmet, shin guards, etc. -- as appropriate for the sport.
- Teach your child how to properly use and adjust the equipment.
- Teach your child to always warm up appropriately.
- Your child should never be allowed to play sports when he or she is extremely tired or in some kind of pain.
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