Some Improvement Seen in U.S. Cholesterol Levels: CDC
Some Improvement Seen in U.S. Cholesterol Levels: CDC
However, total cholesterol remains too high and screening rates too low, experts say
But fewer women than men had low levels of good cholesterol (9 percent versus 26 percent, respectively), the study authors found.
In addition, the researchers found that fewer blacks had high total cholesterol than white men and women and Hispanic men. Total cholesterol was higher, however, among Hispanic women.
Moreover, blacks were less likely to have low levels of good cholesterol than whites, while Hispanics were the least likely to have low levels of good cholesterol. And Asians had lower levels of good cholesterol than Hispanics, according to the report.
Among Asian men and women the percentage with high total cholesterol wasn't significantly different from the other racial and ethnic groups, the researchers noted.
The investigators also found Hispanics were less likely to be screened for cholesterol than blacks, whites or Asians.
To gather these data, the CDC researchers used the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys from 2009-2010 and 2011-2012.
AHA's Fonarow noted that there are ways to improve cholesterol levels.
Many fatal and nonfatal heart attacks and strokes would be avoided with better detection of high cholesterol -- and lowering it by living a healthy lifestyle and, when needed, taking medications such as statins, he said.
"Efforts are urgently needed to improve cardiovascular health and reduce death and disability due to heart disease and stroke," Fonarow said.
People can also reduce these risks by being physically active, maintaining healthy blood pressure, achieving healthy body weight and not smoking, he added.
Lower Cholesterol Slideshow: 15 Tips for Avoiding Heart Disease
Some Improvement Seen in U.S. Cholesterol Levels
However, total cholesterol remains too high and screening rates too low, experts say
But fewer women than men had low levels of good cholesterol (9 percent versus 26 percent, respectively), the study authors found.
In addition, the researchers found that fewer blacks had high total cholesterol than white men and women and Hispanic men. Total cholesterol was higher, however, among Hispanic women.
Moreover, blacks were less likely to have low levels of good cholesterol than whites, while Hispanics were the least likely to have low levels of good cholesterol. And Asians had lower levels of good cholesterol than Hispanics, according to the report.
Among Asian men and women the percentage with high total cholesterol wasn't significantly different from the other racial and ethnic groups, the researchers noted.
The investigators also found Hispanics were less likely to be screened for cholesterol than blacks, whites or Asians.
To gather these data, the CDC researchers used the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys from 2009-2010 and 2011-2012.
AHA's Fonarow noted that there are ways to improve cholesterol levels.
Many fatal and nonfatal heart attacks and strokes would be avoided with better detection of high cholesterol -- and lowering it by living a healthy lifestyle and, when needed, taking medications such as statins, he said.
"Efforts are urgently needed to improve cardiovascular health and reduce death and disability due to heart disease and stroke," Fonarow said.
People can also reduce these risks by being physically active, maintaining healthy blood pressure, achieving healthy body weight and not smoking, he added.
Lower Cholesterol Slideshow: 15 Tips for Avoiding Heart Disease
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