"Trends in High LDL Cholesterol, Cholesterol-lowering Medication Use, and Dietary Saturated-fat Intake: United States, 1976–2010" -CDC/NCHS Report

The CDC National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) has realeased the report "Trends in High LDL Cholesterol, Cholesterol-lowering Medication Use, and Dietary Saturated-fat Intake: United States, 1976–2010".
The report concludes:

"Despite recent advances in medical treatment, high cholesterol remains a significant public health problem in the United States, with more than one-quarter of adults aged 40–74 having high LDL–C. These findings may provide useful information for evaluation of programs and policy initiatives aimed at reducing the prevalence of high cholesterol in the adult population."

Key Findings
For adults aged 40–74:

• The prevalence of high low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, or LDL–C, decreased from 59% to 27% from the late 1970s through 2007–2010.

• The percentage of adults using cholesterol-lowering medication increased from 5% to 23% from the late 1980s through 2007–2010.

• The percentage of adults consuming a diet low in saturated fat increased from 25% to 41% from the late 1970s through 1988–1994.

• No significant changes in the percentage of adults consuming a diet low in saturated fat were observed from 1988–1994 through 2007–2010.

Abstract

Trends in High LDL Cholesterol, Cholesterol-lowering Medication Use, and Dietary Saturated-fat Intake: United States, 1976–2010
NCHS Data Brief. No. 117. March 2013. Elena V. Kuklina, M.D., Ph.D.; Margaret D. Carroll, M.S.P.H.; Kate M. Shaw, M.S.; and Rosemarie Hirsch, M.D., M.P.H.

Each year, more than 2 million Americans suffer from acute cardiovascular events that account for approximately one-fourth of the total cost of inpatient hospital care (1). Control of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL–C) has been shown to substantially reduce cardiovascular disease morbidity and mortality (2). High LDL–C is LDL cholesterol above the treatment goals established by the National Cholesterol Education Program's Adult Treatment Panel III guidelines. It can be managed with lifestyle changes, medications, or a combination of these approaches (3). A diet low in saturated fat is recognized as one of the most effective lifestyle changes to decrease high LDL–C (4). This report evaluates the trends in high LDL–C, use of cholesterol-lowering medication, and low dietary saturated-fat intake from 1976–1980 through 2007–2010 among adults aged 40–74.

Find Out More

• Read "Trends in High LDL Cholesterol, Cholesterol-lowering Medication Use, and Dietary Saturated-fat Intake: United States, 1976–2010" (.pdf)

• Information about the CDC National Center for Health Statistics 

• Reference- "Third Report of the Expert Panel on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults (Adult Treatment Panel III)"