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Preventing High Cholesterol Begins at the Grocery Store
 American Heart Association and Albertsons Pharmacist Offer Heart Healthy Store Tours

Boise, ID — Heart health begins at the grocery store.  Not just because of the shelves stocked full of healthy food, but because of the strategic role the in-store pharmacist plays in the treatment and prevention of high cholesterol.  From detection and prevention, to managing cholesterol-lowering prescriptions, pharmacists play a vital role in a community’s heart health.

High cholesterol is known as the ‘silent killer’ because it often has no warning signs prior to causing life-threatening health conditions.  For this reason, health care providers closely watch patient’s cholesterol levels.  But patients, themselves, need to understand what these numbers mean and how they can keep them in check.  To keep one’s cholesterol under control, the American Heart Association recommends that people:

  • schedule a screening
  • eat foods low in cholesterol and saturated fat and free of trans fat
  • maintain a healthy weight
  • be physically active 
  • follow your healthcare professional's advice

A great way to start choosing healthy foods is by looking for the American Heart Association’s heart-check mark on food packaging—which means the product meets association criteria for being low in saturated fat and cholesterol for healthy people over age 2.  Taking this to a new level, this month select Albertsons stores will be featuring ‘Heart Healthy Store Tours’ in partnership with local chapters of the AHA.   Tours will be lead by representative from the AHA and the in-store pharmacist.  This is the perfect opportunity for shoppers to learn how to make smart eating decisions and understand the effects of cholesterol-lowering drugs. 

Join us for a ‘Heart Healthy Store Tour,’ learn more about the American Heart Association’s Heart Smart foods and speak with an Albertsons pharmacist about role they play as a health professional in their community. 

Cholesterol FAQ

What are some Smart Choices in eating to lower one’s cholesterol?
According to the Mayo Clinic, the following tips are a great start to lowering your cholesterol:

  1. Limit unhealthy fats and cholesterol
  2. Choose low-fat protein sources
  3. Eat more vegetables and fruits
  4. Select whole grains
  5. Reduce the salt in food

If I watch what I eat, will that ensure my cholesterol remains at a healthy level?
Not always.  Some people have a genetic disposition to higher cholesterol.  Make sure to get your cholesterol screened regularly and talk with your doctor about the right plan for you.

Are women affected by heart disease, too?
Yes.  In fact, heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women.  So preparing eating ‘heart healthy’ is important for the entire family.

Do Albertsons pharmacies conduct cholesterol screenings?
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Do people need to make an appointment for the cholesterol screening?
No need for an appointment, we can take walk-ins!  If patients would like to do these on a regular basis, our pharmacies are able to schedule them in advance.

Explain more about a pharmacist’s role in helping patients manage their cholesterol.
Albertsons pharmacists can suggest and encourage lifestyle changes, refer patients to the doctor when cholesterol levels are high and help them select the right foods to lower their cholesterol.  For example—spreads such as Benecol instead of butter, and milk that can lower cholesterol and high fiber items that taste good!

Select Albertsons pharmacies also feature certified Diabetes Care pharmacists who take a more active and in depth role in cholesterol management—discussing lipid levels, Triglycerides and specific LDL/HDL ratios.