Low density lipoprotein epidemiology and demographics

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Rim Halaby, M.D. [2]

From 1976–1980 through 2007–2010, for U.S. adults aged 40–74, a decrease was observed in the prevalence of high LDL-cholesterol (LDL–C) from 59% to 28%, as well as an increase in adults using lipid-lowering medications and consuming a diet low in saturated fat. Despite recent advances in medical treatment, high LDL-C remains a significant public health problem in the United States, with more than one-quarter of adults aged 40–74 having high LDL–C.^[1]

In the United States, the prevalence of high LDL–C significantly decreased from 59% in 1976–1980 to 42% in 1988–1994, and to 33% in 2001–2004, reaching 27% in 2007–2010.^[1]

The decrease in the prevalence of high LDL is paralleled by an increase in the use of cholesterol-lowering medication that grew from 5% in 1988–1994 to 17% in 2001–2004, and reached 23% in 2007–2010. In addition, the percentage of adults meeting guidelines for low saturated-fat intake increased significantly from 1976–1980 to 1988–1994, from 25% to 41%, but no significant change occurred from 1988–1994 through 2007–2010.^[1]

Shown below is a diagram depicting the age-adjusted prevalence of high LDL cholesterol among adults aged 40–74, by sex and age in the United States between 1976–1980 and 2007–2010. (Source: CDC/NCHS, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.)

Shown below is a diagram depicting the age adjusted use of cholesterol-lowering medications among adults aged 40–74 in the United States between 1988–1994 and 2007–2010. (Source: CDC/NCHS, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.)

Shown below an image depicting the age-adjusted trends in prevalence of high LDL cholesterol, use of cholesterol-lowering medications, and low saturated-fat intake among adults aged 40–74 in the United States between 1976–1980 and 2007–2010.

¹ Significant decreasing linear trends from 1976–1980 to 2007–2010 (p < 0.05).
² Significant increase from 1976–1980 to 1988–1994 (p < 0.05); no significant change from 1988–1994 to 2007–2010.
³ Significant increasing trend from 1988–1994 to 2007–2010.

Between 1976–1980 and 2007–2010, the prevalence of high LDL–C significantly decreased among U.S. men from 65% to 31%.

The prevalence of high LDL–C also significantly decreased among U.S. women from 54% to 24% between 1976–1980 and 2007–2010.^[1]

Between 2007–2010, the prevalence of high LDL–C for U.S. adults aged 40–64 was between 6% to 27%. The prevalence of high LDL–C among subjects aged 65–74 was 72% to 30%.^[1]

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