Many Heart Attack, Stroke Survivors Do Not Know Their Cholesterol Levels
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com.
By Lori Solomon HealthDay Reporter
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 30, 2023 -- Nearly half of heart attack and stroke survivors are unaware of their low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels, according to a survey released online by the American Heart Association (AHA).
The survey, conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of the AHA, included responses from 3,008 U.S. adults and 503 who self-reported experiencing a stroke and/or heart attack. The survey was conducted May 1 to 16, 2023.
The survey revealed that three-quarters of heart attack and stroke survivors reported having high cholesterol, and 47 percent were unaware of their LDL cholesterol level. Similarly, only 49 percent recognized the need to prioritize lowering their cholesterol. However, nearly two-thirds of respondents with a prior stroke or heart attack correctly understood that high cholesterol poses a risk for heart attack and stroke.
"There's a pervasive lack of public awareness and understanding around bad cholesterol and its impact on your cardiovascular health," Joseph C. Wu, M.D., Ph.D., AHA president, said in a statement. "As bad cholesterol usually has no symptoms, we often find that many patients are walking around without knowing they're at risk or how to mitigate it."
The AHA Lower Your LDL Cholesterol Now initiative, sponsored by Amgen, Inc., is encouraging people to ask their doctor to check their cholesterol levels.
Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.
© 2024 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Posted August 2023
Read this next
Prehospital Reduction in BP Does Not Improve Stroke Outcomes
MONDAY, May 20, 2024 -- For patients with acute stroke, prehospital reduction in blood pressure does not affect functional outcomes, according to a study published online May 16...
Social Determinants of Health Impact Poststroke Mortality Risk
MONDAY, May 20, 2024 -- Social determinants of health have a cumulative impact on poststroke mortality, according to a study presented at the the annual European Stroke...
Women, Black and Hispanic Adults Have Lower Angiography/PCI Use in NSTEMI
THURSDAY, May 16, 2024 -- Disparities are evident in the interventional management of non-ST-segment elevated myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) and in STEMI incidence and mortality...
More news resources
- FDA Medwatch Drug Alerts
- Daily MedNews
- News for Health Professionals
- New Drug Approvals
- New Drug Applications
- Drug Shortages
- Clinical Trial Results
- Generic Drug Approvals
Subscribe to our newsletter
Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.