Get to Know Thy Cholesterol

September is designated by the American Heart Association as Cholesterol month. However, for 36.6 million of Americans with a total cholesterol of 240mg/dl or higher, cholesterol is (or should be) an everyday reality. But the rest of us should never remain complacent or even think for a minute that we are immune from high cholesterol. High cholesterol is one of the leading and most preventable risk factor for heart disease and stroke. While there are some people whose genetic make-up predetermined them to have risky cholesterol levels, the rest of us can fight or prevent cholesterol with only the slightest modification to our diet, lifestyles and knowledge. Increasing our cholesterol literacy is the most important step we can make to improve our chances against heart disease and stroke.

In 2004, the CDC published the following findings regarding the health disparities in cholesterol status among minorities in United States. This is what they have to say about Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders:

In 2001, the age-adjusted death rate for diseases of the heart for APIs was 137.6 per 100,000 population. The age-adjusted death rate for diseases of the heart was 247.8 per 100,000 for all Americans, and 245.6 per 100,000 for white non-Hispanic Americans.
In 2000-2001, 60.5% of Asian men and 63.4% of Asian women in selected communities had ever received cholesterol screening. During the same period of time, 31.4% of Asian men and 23.3% of Asian women had high cholesterol (defined as ever being told by a doctor or other health professional that blood cholesterol was high).
Native Hawaiians disproportionately suffer the burden of heart disease, compared to other ethnic groups in the State of Hawaii. Heart disease is the leading cause of death among APIs.

When surveyed regarding the frequency by which their cholesterol is checked, the Asians and Latinos showed the least frequency. Such finding underscored the need for more education about the importance of having cholesterol checks within these populations. This is special crucial among Filipino-Americans and Vietnamese who showed the highest cholesterol levels within the Asian-American group.With the spotlight on cholesterol this month, the American Heart Association website offers useful information about cholesterol and its management. Recognizing the importance of health literacy in fighting heart disease by way of cholesterol, AHA developed a user-friendly informative digest on cholesterol - a Cholesterol 101 if you will - designed to increase one's understanding and chances to fight one of the most preventable risk factors for heart disease and stroke.