National Cholesterol Education Month

History & origins

National Cholesterol Education Month is an awareness observance held each September in the United States, tied to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute’s cholesterol education efforts. The NHLBI launched the National Cholesterol Education Program in 1985, and government health materials were already referring to September as National Cholesterol Education Month by the early 2000s. Its exact first proclamation is not clearly documented in the sources available, so the observance is best understood as a public-health campaign rather than a formally rooted holiday.

Why it matters

High cholesterol is often called a silent risk because many people have no symptoms before it contributes to heart disease or stroke. National Cholesterol Education Month puts attention on screening, healthy eating, physical activity, and treatment so people can lower cardiovascular risk before serious problems develop. It also helps normalize cholesterol checks in primary care, workplaces, and community health programs.

How to celebrate

Get cholesterol checked. Learn about healthy cholesterol levels. Improve diet and exercise. Share heart health tips. Support cardiovascular research.

Facts

• 93 million US adults have high cholesterol
• Many people don't know they have high cholesterol
• Diet and exercise can significantly impact levels
• High cholesterol increases heart disease risk
• Regular screening saves lives