Web Links
There is a wealth of information about high cholesterol, its causes, and treatments available on the Web. Some useful Web sites are listed below. Your doctor or other health care professional may be able to recommend other resources.
American Council on Exercise
http://www.acefitness.org
This organization supports exercise and provides ways to get and stay fit. It has educational materials about exercise and fitness.
American Diabetes Association
http://www.diabetes.org
This organization is devoted to research and education for health care professionals and the public on all aspects of diabetes, including general medical information about treating high cholesterol in patients with diabetes. It has educational information on exercise and nutrition as well.
American Dietetic Association
http://www.eatright.org
This professional association provides a listing of local dietitians and information on diet and nutrition.
American Heart Association
http://www.americanheart.org
This site includes a great deal of information about cholesterol, including explanations of cholesterol levels, personal stories of people who have lowered their cholesterol, and tips for cooking and eating out.
American Medical Association
http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/category/3158.html
This professional organization for doctors also provides patients with information that may help them become active participants in their health care — from nutrition and fitness articles to breaking news stories.
Calorie Control Council
http://www.caloriecontrol.org
The Calorie Control Council is an international nonprofit association. It provides information to the public on diet, exercise, and low-calorie foods and beverages. Its Web site includes an "Enhanced Calorie Calculator," which makes it easy to keep track of the amount of calories and total number of fat grams consumed in 1 day.
MayoClinic.com
http://www.mayoclinic.com
Owned by the Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, this site offers information about healthy eating and how cholesterol-lowering medicines work, as well as interactive tools such as a cholesterol quiz and healthy lifestyle planners.
National Cholesterol Education Program (National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute)
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/about/ncep/index.htm
This government institute offers programs for both health care professionals and patients. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute scientists developed the comprehensive National Cholesterol Education Program, and this site contains additional resources for people who want to learn more about lowering their cholesterol, including information about the Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes (TLC) diet.
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/index.htm
The National Institutes of Health Web site for diseases of the heart, blood vessels, lungs, and blood contains government research, resources, information, and tools.
US Department of Agriculture
http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic
This government agency provides helpful general information on food.
US Department of Health and Human Services
http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov
This government agency runs the Federal Citizen Information Center in Pueblo, Colorado. Consumers can get a variety of pamphlets and brochures on health topics. Many of these products are available on the US Department of Health and Human Services Web site as well.
Vascular Disease Foundation
http://www.vdf.org
The Vascular Disease Foundation is a national, nonprofit, public education organization dedicated to increasing awareness of the prevention, diagnosis, and management of vascular disease.
WomenHeart
http://www.womenheart.org
The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease, started by three women diagnosed with heart disease, provides support, information, and advocacy about heart disease and cardiovascular health.