HHS HealthBeat (October 8, 2012)

Checking cholesterol

From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I’m Ira Dreyfuss with HHS HealthBeat.

More Americans are getting their cholesterol checked, which is good, because the numbers can often be bad. Researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention analyzed national survey data. They say 76 percent of people reported in 2009 being screened for high cholesterol within the past five years, compared with 73 percent in 2005.

CDC researcher Carma Ayala:

“Many people don’t know they have high blood cholesterol until they have a heart attack or stroke, so it’s important for them to get a blood check.”

Adults ages 18 to 44, Hispanics and those with less than a high school diploma, were among the least likely in 2009 to report being screened. 

The analysis was in CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

Learn more at healthfinder.gov.

Last revised: October 9, 2012