UAB Study Suggests Our Cholesterol Awareness Levels Have Dropped
Not too long ago, a national survey suggested that the overall levels of cholesterol in the United States were lower than they had been in the 80's and 90's. You may have gotten a chance to read our post on this intriguing survey. Clinical investigators had been surprised by these results given the rise in obesity and other metabolic disorders like diabetes over that time period. However, some had theorized that these lower numbers could be the result of more people taking medications like statins.
Well, a new high cholesterol clinical study from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) suggests that our cholesterol levels are not actually getting better. UAB experts estimated that there are more than 80 million adults in the United States that are living with high cholesterol, but their data suggests that only 61 percent of these people are even aware of their own diagnosis. The results of this UAB study have been published online in the American Journal of Cardiology.
Different Results from the NHANES Study
The research team used the data taken during the nationwide National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) that was highlighted in our previous post. According to the lead author of the study, Dr. Paul Muntner, this data suggests something a little different than what had been reported in the news last year. It seems that while awareness for this medical condition did increase from 49 percent in 1999-2000 to 63 percent by 2003-2004. However, awareness of those who do actually have dangerously high cholesterol levels have not improved since then.
Of the adults in the U.S. who are aware of their condition, the percentage who are receiving some form of treatment, usually statins, has gone up in that time period, from 41 percent at the turn of the millennium to 70 percent by 2010. Back then, only 45 percent of the people treated for high cholesterol were able to reach their recommended levels. Nowadays, that number has improved to 65 percent. Also, the control of LDL (€bad€) cholesterol levels did not improve from 2005 to 2010; it resides at 64 percent as of 2010.
Time for New Guidelines for High Cholesterol
€High cholesterol is a heavy burden among adults in the United States, and our findings document that,€ Dr. Muntner stated. €It's important to track the unmet needs and highlight missed opportunities to treat people, and lower their risk for having heart attacks and strokes.€
Dr. Muntner believes that one of the reasons there was surge in awareness may have been the publication of new guidelines for high cholesterol treatment in 2001 by the National Institutes of Health. Following that publication, there was an increase in the number of people who were interested in knowing where their cholesterol levels are at. Muntner suggests that reissuing a set of new guidelines could produce another boost in these national awareness levels.
€Hopefully individuals with high cholesterol will be treated appropriately but also undertake lifestyle changes (e.g., eat a diet lower in saturated fat, lose weight, participate in physical activity) to help control their cholesterol levels,€ says Dr. Muntner. €Given the high prevalence of high cholesterol in the U.S. population, undertaking lifestyle changes is important €" for the full U.S. population, and not just those who already have high cholesterol. Prevention, as well as treatment, is important.€
Well, a new high cholesterol clinical study from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) suggests that our cholesterol levels are not actually getting better. UAB experts estimated that there are more than 80 million adults in the United States that are living with high cholesterol, but their data suggests that only 61 percent of these people are even aware of their own diagnosis. The results of this UAB study have been published online in the American Journal of Cardiology.
Different Results from the NHANES Study
The research team used the data taken during the nationwide National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) that was highlighted in our previous post. According to the lead author of the study, Dr. Paul Muntner, this data suggests something a little different than what had been reported in the news last year. It seems that while awareness for this medical condition did increase from 49 percent in 1999-2000 to 63 percent by 2003-2004. However, awareness of those who do actually have dangerously high cholesterol levels have not improved since then.
Of the adults in the U.S. who are aware of their condition, the percentage who are receiving some form of treatment, usually statins, has gone up in that time period, from 41 percent at the turn of the millennium to 70 percent by 2010. Back then, only 45 percent of the people treated for high cholesterol were able to reach their recommended levels. Nowadays, that number has improved to 65 percent. Also, the control of LDL (€bad€) cholesterol levels did not improve from 2005 to 2010; it resides at 64 percent as of 2010.
Time for New Guidelines for High Cholesterol
€High cholesterol is a heavy burden among adults in the United States, and our findings document that,€ Dr. Muntner stated. €It's important to track the unmet needs and highlight missed opportunities to treat people, and lower their risk for having heart attacks and strokes.€
Dr. Muntner believes that one of the reasons there was surge in awareness may have been the publication of new guidelines for high cholesterol treatment in 2001 by the National Institutes of Health. Following that publication, there was an increase in the number of people who were interested in knowing where their cholesterol levels are at. Muntner suggests that reissuing a set of new guidelines could produce another boost in these national awareness levels.
€Hopefully individuals with high cholesterol will be treated appropriately but also undertake lifestyle changes (e.g., eat a diet lower in saturated fat, lose weight, participate in physical activity) to help control their cholesterol levels,€ says Dr. Muntner. €Given the high prevalence of high cholesterol in the U.S. population, undertaking lifestyle changes is important €" for the full U.S. population, and not just those who already have high cholesterol. Prevention, as well as treatment, is important.€
