Article Figures & Data
Tables
Additional Files
The Article in Brief
Prevalence of Coronary Heart Disease Risk Factors and Screening for High Cholesterol Levels Among Young Adults, United States, 1999−2006
Elena V. Kuklina , and colleagues
Background Young adults receive cholesterol screening at low rates in the United States. This study examined the national prevalence of risk factors for coronary heart disease (CHD) and compliance with cholesterol screening guidelines among young adults.
What This Study Found Approximately two-thirds of all young adults have one or more risk factors for CHD, yet less than 50 percent are screened for high cholesterol levels. About 59 percent of young adults had CHD or CHD equivalents, or one or more risk factors (high blood pressure, smoking, family history or obesity). The prevalence of high cholesterol increased with the number of CHD risk factors, yet there was no significant difference in screening for cholesterol among those with one, two, or more risk factors for CHD compared with those with no risk factors. High cholesterol levels were observed in 65 percent of young adults with CHD or CHD equivalents, 26 percent of young adults with two or more risk factors, 12 percent of young adults with one risk factor, and 7 percent with no risk factors.
Implications
- The authors call for clinical and public health programs to improve risk assessment and management of cardiovascular disease in young adults.