High cholesterol seen in 1 out of 8 American adults: CDC

• comments
• 
• 

Having high levels of cholesterol may lead to heart disease, and in the United States alone, about 73.5 million adults or 31.7 percent of the population have high low-density lipoprotein (LDL), or "bad" cholesterol, the CDC reveals.

A new report coming from the CDC shows that despite the decline in high cholesterol rates over the years, about one out of 8 Americans still have high cholesterol, HealthDay reports. Researchers from the CDC led by survey statistician Margaret Carroll of the organization's National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) gathered data via the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. For the study, the team defined high total cholesterol as 240 mg/dL or more, and HDL “good” cholesterol as 40 mg/dL or less. Both high levels of total cholesterol and low levels of "good" cholesterol are actually considered risk factors for coronary heart disease.

As per Medical Daily, results from the analyzed data showed that the number of American adults with high total cholesterol has decreased from 14 percent in 2007 to just 11 percent in 2014. Adults with low levels of "good" cholesterol also decreased from 22 to 18.5 percent. Researchers also noted that more women had high total cholesterol at 13 percent, compared to men at 10.6 percent. Adults aged 20 to 29 had more or less the same levels of high total cholesterol rates while among those aged 60, only 7.3 percent were men and 17.7 percent were women.

"High cholesterol is one of the major contributors for heart disease," professor of cardiology at the University of California, Los Angeles Dr. Gregg Fonarow explained. "Fortunately, lowering total and LDL cholesterol with certain therapies has been demonstrated to markedly lower the risk of future heart attacks and stroke in both men and women with benefits that greatly outweigh potential risks."

He added that "These [total cholesterol] levels are far above what is needed for ideal heart health and the vast majority of men and women having heart attacks have total cholesterol levels well below 240 mg/dL. All adults 20 to 79 should have their 10-year heart disease risk assessed," he said. "This includes having total cholesterol and HDL levels measured."

Carroll told NBC News, "The prevalence of high total cholesterol has declined. We found a decline in mean (average) cholesterol even among people not on cholesterol-lowering medications."

Carroll mentioned that this may also be because food companies have taken away trans-fats from their products, which largely contribute to cholesterol levels more than naturally saturated fats like butter.

For more information on how to maintain a healthy cholesterol level, log on to CDC or the American Heart Association.