Only 13% in U.S. Have High Cholesterol

Though Americans have high levels of obesity, only 13% have high total cholesterol. That’s the finding of a report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The numbers come from a survey of 6,000 adults in 2009 and 2010. They also had blood tests taken. The group was chosen to represent the variety of U.S. adults. The 13% with high total cholesterol is less than the U.S. government goal of 17%. Women met that goal about 5 years ago and men about 10 years ago. The CDC did not find out why cholesterol has dropped. But officials said they believed it was related to less smoking and more people taking drugs to lower cholesterol. The CDC released the report April 25. The Associated Press wrote about it.