The Truth About Cholesterol

An estimated 102.2 million adults in the United States have total blood cholesterol values of 200 mg/dL and higher, and of these about 35.7 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 45.0 percent of men and 48.7 percent of women; 15.3 percent of men and 18.1 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 40.2 percent of men and 41.8 percent of women; 10.9 percent of men and 13.1 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 51.1 percent of men and 49.0 percent of women; 16.8 percent of men and 14.3 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, 31.5 percent of men and 33.8 percent of women.
  • For non-Hispanic blacks, 34.4 percent of men and 28.6 percent of women.
  • For Mexican Americans, 42.7 percent of men and 30.4 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, 25.4 percent of men and 7.9 percent of women.
  • For non-Hispanic blacks, 14.7 percent of men and 6.5 percent of women.
  • For Mexican Americans, 29.3 percent of men and 11.7 percent of women.

* National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), 2003–06, National Center for Health Statistics and the NHLBI.