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 Levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides and "bad" LDL cholesterol
fell between 1999 and 2010 among U.S. adults, and that trend
continued in 2013 and 2014, researchers write in JAMA Cardiology.
High cholesterol - especially LDL cholesterol - and high
triglyceride levels are tied to an increased risk of heart attack
and stroke.
Asher Rosinger, the study's lead author from the CDC in Hyattsville,
Maryland, and colleagues analyzed information collected from the
National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, which is released
every two years. Overall, they had total cholesterol data on 39,049
adults over age 20, triglycerides data from 17,486 adults and the
LDL cholesterol levels of 17,096 adults.
The average total cholesterol level decreased from 204 milligrams
per deciliter (mg/dL) in 1999-2000 to 189 mg/dL in 2013-2014. A
desirable total cholesterol level is below 200 mg/dL, according to
the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI).
Average LDL cholesterol decreased from 126 mg/dL to 111 mg/dL over
the same period. The NHLBI says a level below 100 mg/dL is optimal.
LDL cholesterol is pivotal since it is the particle most likely to
promote the formation of plaque inside arteries, said Dr. Scott
Wright, a cardiologist at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.
Death rates after heart attacks are lower if LDL cholesterol levels
are lowered by medication, Wright, who wasn't involved in the new
study, told Reuters Health in an email.
"For every 1 percent we lower LDL, risks are reduced by 1 percent,"
he said.
Triglyceride levels had fallen from 123 mg/dL in the earlier period
to 97 mg/dL more recently, which is considered normal.
While the researchers found continuing declines for all three
substances, the declines in LDL cholesterol and triglycerides were
steeper between 2011-2012 and 2013-2014 than during the previous
decade.
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Also, Rosinger said, the declines were present even in people who
were not taking cholesterol-lowering medications. In fact, declines
were more dramatic in this group than in people who did use those
medications.
The findings suggests drugs like statins that lower cholesterol
levels aren't behind the falling levels, he said.
"One possible reason includes the removal of trans-fatty acids from
foods," Rosinger told Reuters Health.
His team says declining levels of cholesterol and triglycerides may
be contributing to declining death rates from coronary heart
disease.
"It’ll be very interesting to see what the data from 2015 and 2016
show – especially as trans-fatty acids are removed from food sources
and the diet," said Rosinger.
SOURCE: http://bit.ly/2gJKeHE JAMA Cardiology, online November 29,
2016.
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