It's important to know the statistics on how cholesterol levels and certain lifestyle behaviors affect outcomes in patients at risk for heart disease and stroke. Knowing the numbers can affect the recommendations you make to help your patients achieve better health.
Total Cholesterol
106.7 million Americans age 20 and older have total blood cholesterol levels of 200 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) and higher:
50.8 million men
55.9 million women
Of these, 37.2 million have total blood cholesterol levels of 240 mg/dL or higher:
17.2 million men
19.9 million women
(Source: NCHS and NHLBI)
Among people age 20 and older, the following have total blood cholesterol levels over 200 mg/dL:
47.9 percent of non-Hispanic white men
49.7 percent of non-Hispanic white women
44.8 percent of non-Hispanic black men
42.1 percent of non-Hispanic black women
49.9 percent of Mexican-American men
50.0 percent of Mexican-American women
Among people age 20 and older, the following have levels of 240 mg/dL or higher:
16.1 percent of non-Hispanic white men
18.2 percent of non-Hispanic white women
14.1 percent of non-Hispanic black men
12.5 percent of non-Hispanic black women
16.0 percent of Mexican-American men
14.2 percent of Mexican-American women
(Source: NHANES [1999-2004], NCHS and NHLBI)
LDL (Bad) Cholesterol
Among Americans age 20 and older, the following have an LDL cholesterol of 130 mg/dL or higher:
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
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or “bad” cholesterol levels of 130-159 mg/dL are considered borderline high. Levels of 160-189 mg/dL are classified as high, and levels of 190 mg/dL or higher are very high.
(Source: NHANES [1999-2004, NCHS and NHLBI)
HDL (Good) Cholesterol
Among Americans age 20 and older, the following have an HDL cholesterol of less than 40 mg/dL:
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
High-density lipoprotein (HDL) or “good” cholesterol levels of less than 40 mg/dL are associated with a higher risk of coronary heart disease.
(Source: NHANES [1999-2004, NCHS and NHLBI)
Note: In U.S. government statistics, “Hispanic” includes persons who trace their ancestry to Spanish-speaking countries or other Spanish cultures, regardless of race. It doesn’t include people from countries where Spanish is not the first language.
Abbreviations Used:
NCHS – National Center for Health Statistics
Mg/dL – milligrams per deciliter
NHANES – National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, NCHS
NHLBI – National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
This content is reviewed regularly. Last updated 04/14/08.
