An estimated 98.6 million adults in the United States have total blood cholesterol values of 200 mg/dL and higher, and of these about 34.4 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 42.1 percent of men and 47.7 percent of women; 14.3 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 35.6 percent of men and 41.4 percent of women; 7.9 percent of men and 13.4 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 52.1 percent of men and 48.0 percent of women; 17.5 percent of men and 14.5 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, 31.0 percent of men and 33.7 percent of women.
- For non-Hispanic blacks, 36.2 percent of men and 27.4 percent of women.
- For Mexican Americans, 45.0 percent of men and 30.3 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, 24.9 percent of men and 6.5 percent of women.
- For non-Hispanic blacks, 13.5 percent of men and 6.1 percent of women.
- For Mexican Americans, 30.6 percent of men and 10.5 percent of women.
* National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), 2005–06, National Center for Health Statistics and the NHLBI.
Related AHA publications:
