September is National Cholesterol Awareness Education Month; Check out the new guidelines

By Mark A. Mahoney, Ph.D., R.D.N.

September is National Cholesterol Education Month and is the perfect time to find out your cholesterol levels and take steps to prevent or reduce high cholesterol.

High cholesterol is a significant risk factor for heart disease, which is the leading cause of death in the United States.

New guidelines
The 2026 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association guidelines (ACC/AHA) on the Management of Dyslipidemia (having abnormal levels of lipids—such as LDL (“bad”) cholesterol, HDL (“good”) cholesterol, or triglycerides — in the blood, which increases the risk of conditions like atherosclerosis, heart attack, and stroke). These guidelines replace the 2018 cholesterol guidelines and represent the most significant update in eight years. They were jointly issued by the ACC/AHA and nine partner societies.

Key themes include:

• Earlier intervention to reduce lifetime exposure to atherogenic lipids (substances or conditions that promote the formation of plaque in the arteries, leading to heart disease).
• Broader focus beyond LDL‑C to include triglyceride-rich particles, ApoBand lipoprotein(a).
• Consolidation of lipid management into a single comprehensive guideline.

Summary of 2026 ACC/AHA Guidelines
The 2026 cholesterol guidelines shift from a narrow LDL‑only focus to a comprehensive dyslipidemia strategy with clear numeric targets, universal LP (a) screening, updated risk assessment, and earlier, personalized treatment to reduce lifetime ASCVD risk. Complete details on the recommended actions of the ACC/AHA panel can be found by accessing the link provided at the end of this column.

Why the Changes Matter
The updated guideline reflects evidence from major trials (CLEAR Outcomes, FOURIER‑OLE, ODYSSEY Outcomes, REDUCE‑IT) showing that multiple lipid particles—not just LDL—drive plaque formation.

Studies show 1 in 3 U.S. adults without heart disease exceed the new LDL targets, highlighting the need for earlier detection and intervention.

Blood and dietary cholesterol
Blood cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance made by your liver. Blood cholesterol is essential for good health. Your body needs it to perform important jobs, such as making hormones and digesting fatty foods.

Your body makes all the blood cholesterol it needs, which is why experts recommend that people eat as little dietary cholesterol as possible while on a healthy eating plan.

Dietary cholesterol is found in animal foods, including meat, seafood, poultry, eggs, and dairy products. Learn more about preventing high cholesterol by making healthy eating choices.

Strong evidence shows that eating patterns that include less dietary cholesterol are associated with reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, but your overall risk depends on many factors. Learn what raises your risk for high cholesterol.

Know your risk factors for high cholesterol
Certain health conditions, your lifestyle, and your family history can raise your risk for high cholesterol. These are called “risk factors.”

These include:

• Health conditions that increase your risk
• Behaviors that increase your risk
• Familial hypercholesterolemia
• Age and gender

You can’t control some of these risk factors, such as your age or your family history. But you can take steps to lower your risk for high cholesterol by changing things you can control.

Go to the following link for more detailed information on risk factors that raise your risk for high cholesterol at

https://www.cdc.gov/cholesterol/risk-factors/index.html

Preventing high cholesterol
By living a healthy lifestyle, you can help keep your cholesterol in a healthy range and lower your risk of heart disease and stroke. The following steps can help:

• Make healthy eating choices
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Get regular physical activity
• Quit smoking
• Limit alcohol

Detailed information on the steps noted above with a focus on preventing high blood cholesterol can be accessed at:

https://www.cdc.gov/cholesterol/prevention/index.html#

A final thought with an emphasis on seniors
National Cholesterol Education Month is the perfect time for seniors to focus on heart-healthy habits that can have a lasting impact on their overall health and wellness. Understanding the most common heart conditions, the importance of managing high cholesterol levels and how to implement strategies to prioritize heart health empowers seniors to embrace a healthier tomorrow.

When needed, professional home care services can play a vital role in supporting senior heart health, wellness, and quality of life. With the support of in-home caregivers, seniors can make better-informed decisions about their diet and wellness while incorporating numerous heart-healthy habits into their daily routines.

Whether you are a senior looking to improve your heart health or a caregiver supporting a loved one, use National Cholesterol Education Month this year as an opportunity to focus on heart-healthy habits that help ensure a healthier tomorrow.

Let’s all focus on better understanding the importance of taking a proactive approach to understanding the important role that cholesterol plays in our health and then acting on that knowledge to improve our quality of life by practicing a healthier lifestyle.

Additional Resources
The guidelines can be accessed in their entirety and include specific screening recommendations at:

ACC/AHA Issue Updated Guideline for Managing Lipids, Cholesterol – American College of Cardiology

Check out the 5 top lifestyle changes to improve your cholesterol from the Mayo Clinic at:

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-cholesterol/in-depth/reduce-cholesterol/art-20045935

Check out these cholesterol myths and facts.
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Mark A. Mahoney, Ph.D., R.D.N. served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Ecuador in the mid-1970s as well as Chile.  He has been a Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist for over 40 years completed graduate studies in Nutrition & Public Health at Columbia University and earned a Ph.D. in International/Intercultural Development Education at Florida State University.  He can be reached at marqos69@hotmail.com.