Lowering your cholesterol levels is one of the best ways to reduce your risk of developing heart disease. Today, more than 102 million American adults (20 years of age or older) have total cholesterol levels at or above 200 mg/dL, which is above healthy levels. More than 35 million of these people have levels of 240 mg/dL or higher, which puts them at high risk for heart disease. Many more millions of Americans have high cholesterol and don’t even know it. This month marks National Cholesterol Education Month, so what better time to take preventive steps to reduce your heart disease risk and the chances of having a heart attack or stroke.