Population screening for plasma cholesterol: community-based results from Atlanta.
Plasma cholesterol was measured in 10,672 participants of a cholesterol screening program in Atlanta, Georgia. The participants were typically health conscious, as evidenced by the low prevalence of current cigarette smoking (13%), but more than 21% of the men and 33% of the women over age 50 had cholesterol levels in excess of 240 mg/dl, placing them at moderate to high risk for coronary artery disease. Results revealed a pronounced dose response relationship between cigarette smoking and cholesterol in men of all age groups and in women of premenopausal age, whereas levels were similar in ex-smokers and those who had never smoked. Risk analysis revealed a strong positive association between cholesterol and the prevalence of nonfatal myocardial infarctions. Notably, patients with newly diagnosed hypercholesterolemia reduced their cholesterol an average of 36 mg/dl under care of physicians. These results indicate that cholesterol screening coupled with physician follow-up and treatment can have a substantial impact in lowering cholesterol and its attendant risk of cardiovascular disease.
Harris
R E
RE
Division of Epidemiology, American Health Foundation, New York, NY 10017.
Backlund
J Y
JY
Haley
N J
NJ
Wynder
E L
EL
D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American; D001294:Attitude to Health; D044383:Black People; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood*; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005845:Georgia; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D044465:White People
D002784:Cholesterol