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Although high cholesterol does not have any symptoms of its own, it can lead to heart disease and heart attack. There's a great deal you can do to lower your risk for a heart attack or other complication from high cholesterol:

• American Heart Association: Develop a Treatment and Prevention Plan
• Centers for Disease Control: High Blood Cholesterol Prevention

Give Back

If you are a high cholesterol survivor share your story with the world. What helped you while you were dealing with the diagnosis, undergoing treatment, and realized you had your cholesterol under control? Take a look back at your journey and share with other what helped you and what you wished you would have known or done during your experience. You can create a TSC profile, reach out to other survivors, join support, circles or share your story at The Survivors Club.

Check out some of the best charities for supporting high cholesterol research or offering support to survivors:

National Heart Lung Blood Institute: Funding & Research

Worst Case

If your high cholesterol remains untreated or poorly managed, it can lead to heart attack or stroke. These are potentially deadly conditions, and for those who do survive, many are often left with life-altering side effects, including brain damage:

MayoClinic: High Cholesterol Risk FactorsMayoclinic.com: High Blood Cholesterol - Complications

You can estimate your risk of dying of cardiovascular disease in 10 years using this risk calculator:

National Cholesterol Education Program: 10-year CVD Risk Calculator

If you've lost someone to a heart attack brought about by high cholesterol, these resources may help:

• Journeyofhearts.org: Dealing with Sudden, Accidental, or Traumatic Death
• Griefnet.org

Cholesterol Forums and Other Resources

• About.com Forums: Cholesterol
• MedHelp.com: All Ask a Doctor Forums and Medical Communities
• eHealthForum: High Blood Pressure and Hypertension Forum

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