Interesting American Cholesterol Statistics

July 23rd, 2008 · No Comments

An estimated 106.7 million adults in the United States have total blood cholesterol values of 200 mg/dL and higher, and of these about 37.2 million American adults have levels of 240 or above. In adults, total cholesterol levels of 240 mg/dL or higher are considered high risk. Levels from 200 to 239 mg/dL are considered borderline-high risk.

Among non-Hispanic whites age 20 and older, the age-adjusted prevalence of total blood cholesterol levels over 200 mg/dL is 47.9 percent of men and 49.7 percent of women. 16.1 percent of men and 18.2 percent of women have blood cholesterol levels of 240 mg/dL or higher.*
Among non-Hispanic blacks age 20 and older, the age-adjusted prevalence of total blood cholesterol levels over 200 mg/dL is 44.8 percent of men and 42.1 percent of women. 14.1 percent of men and 12.5 percent of women have blood cholesterol levels of 240 mg/dL or higher.*
Among Mexican Americans age 20 and older, the age-adjusted prevalence of total blood cholesterol levels over 200 mg/dL is 49.9 percent of men and 50.0 percent of women. 16.0 percent of men and 14.2 percent of women have blood cholesterol levels of 240 mg/dL or higher.*
The age-adjusted prevalence of U.S. adults age 20 and older with LDL cholesterol levels of 130 mg/dL or higher, which is associated with a higher risk of coronary heart disease, is…*
- For non-Hispanic whites, 31.7 percent of men and 33.8 percent of women.
- For non-Hispanic blacks, 32.4 percent of men and 29.8 percent of women.
- For Mexican Americans, 39.0 percent of men and 30.7 percent of women.
The age-adjusted prevalence of U.S. adults age 20 and older with HDL cholesterol of less than 40 mg/dL (HDL cholesterol levels below 40 mg/dL are associated with a higher risk of CHD) is…*
- For non-Hispanic whites, 26.2 percent of men and 8.8 percent of women.
- For non-Hispanic blacks, 15.5 percent of men and 6.9 percent of women.
- For Mexican Americans, 27.7 percent of men and 13.0 percent of women.