The Prevalence of High Blood Cholesterol Levels Among Adults in the United States
- Christopher Sempos, PhD;
- Robinson Fulwood, MSPH;
- Carol Haines, MPH;
- Margaret Carroll, MSPH;
- Robert Anda, MD, MS;
- David F. Williamson, PhD;
- Patrick Remington, MD, MPH;
- James Cleeman, MD
- From the National Center for Health Statistics, Centers for Disease Control, Hyattsville, Md (Dr Sempos and Ms Carroll); National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md (Dr Cleeman, Mr Fulwood, and Ms Haines); and the Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta, Ga (Drs Anda, Williamson, and Remington). Dr Remington is now with the Bureau of Community Health and Prevention, Wisconsin Division of Health, Madison.
Abstract
Using the National Cholesterol Education Program's Guidelines for the Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults and the most recent nationally representative serum total cholesterol and lipoprotein data for adults (ages 20 to 74 years) from the second National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1976 to 1980), it is estimated that 41% of adults should have lipoprotein analysis after an initial measurement of serum total cholesterol. Furthermore, it is estimated that 88% of those who need lipoprotein analysis, or 36% of all adults aged 20 to 74 years, are candidates for medical advice and intervention for high blood cholesterol levels. We estimate, based on 1986 population data, that approximately 40 million Americans between the ages of 20 and 59 years are candidates for medical advice and intervention. An additional 24 million Americans aged 60 years and older are candidates. Overall, we estimate that about 60 million Americans aged 20 years and older are candidates for medical advice and intervention for high levels of blood cholesterol, although a less intensive approach might be appropriate for elderly patients.
(JAMA. 1989;262:45-52)
Footnotes
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The article has been reviewed and approved by the National Cholesterol Education Program Coordinating Committee.
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Comments or questions should be directed to Dr Sempos at the National Center for Health Statistics, Centers for Disease Control, 3700 East-West Hwy, Hyattsville, MD 20782. Reprint requests to NCEP Information Center, 4733 Bethesda Ave, Suite 530, Bethesda. MD 20814.
