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Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.

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Low density lipoprotein epidemiology and demographics

Introduction

Overview

Overview

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]

Epidemiology and Demographics

Epidemiology and Demographics

Prevalence

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.

Gender

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]

Age

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]

References

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Kuklina EV, Carroll MD, Shaw KM, Hirsch R. Trends in high LDL cholesterol, cholesterol-lowering medication use, and dietary saturated-fat intake: United States, 1976–2010. NCHS data brief, no 117. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. 2013.


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