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Health Conditions
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High Cholesterol
Who has it?
It is estimated that 100 million American adults have total blood cholesterol values of 200 mg/dL and higher--desirable total cholesterol levels are below 200 mg/dL. This desired level may be lower for those who have already had a heart attack or for those at risk for heart disease because they smoke, have hypertension, or have diabetes. There are about 13.2 million Americans with known coronary heart disease and about 8.7 million adults without formally diagnosed coronary heart disease.
Interestingly, about 10% of adolescents age 12 through 19 have total blood cholesterol levels of greater than 200 mg/dL. This may be due to the increasing rates of obesity among children and adolescents. There is compelling evidence that the development of atherosclerosis begins in childhood and progresses slowly into adulthood.
The good news is that medications and healthier lifestyles are making a difference. Today, the number of Americans with a desirable blood cholesterol level (less than 200 mg/dL) has risen to over 51% and the average total cholesterol in this country has fallen from 220 mg/dL in the early 1960s to 203 mg/dL in 2002. But, we still have a long way to go.
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Note: The above information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist, or other healthcare professional. It is not intended to diagnose a health condition, but it can be used as a guide to help you decide if you should seek professional treatment or to help you learn more about your condition once it has been diagnosed.
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Who has it?
