Population screening for plasma cholesterol: community-based results from Connecticut.
Plasma cholesterol levels were measured in 15,892 participants of a cholesterol screening in Hartford, Connecticut. The screenees were typically health conscious as evidenced by the low prevalence of current cigarette smoking (12%). However, more than 25% of the men and 35% of the women over the age of 50 years had cholesterol levels in excess of 240 mg/dl, placing them at moderate to high risk for coronary artery disease. Results showed a pronounced dose-response relationship between cigarette smoking and cholesterol levels in men of all age groups and in women of premenopausal age; however, average cholesterol levels were similar in exsmokers and subjects who had never smoked. Risk analysis revealed a strong positive association between cholesterol and prevalence of nonfatal myocardial infarctions. Notably patients with newly diagnosed hypercholesterolemia reduced their cholesterol levels an average of 40 mg/dl under the care of a physician. These results indicate that cholesterol screening coupled with physician follow-up and treatment can have a substantial impact in lowering cholesterol levels and the attendant risk of cardiovascular disease.
Wynder
E L
EL
Division of Epidemiology, American Health Foundation, New York, NY 10017.
Harris
R E
RE
Haley
N J
NJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood*; D003237:Connecticut; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000517:prevention & control; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors
D002784:Cholesterol