New Survey Reveals Many Adults With High Cholesterol Fail to Take Necessary Steps to Improve Their...( 'Significant Disconnect' Exists ...)

'Significant Disconnect' Exists Between Understanding Cholesterol

Monitoring Versus Implementing Changes to Lower Cholesterol Levels

PARSIPPANY, N.J., Sept. 4, 2007 /PRNewswire/ -- A recent survey of U.S. adults with high cholesterol* shows that in spite of concerns about the serious health risks associated with their condition, such as heart attack, stroke and coronary heart disease, there is a significant disconnect between understanding what should be done to monitor and control high cholesterol and actually implementing recommended changes to lower cholesterol levels.

Sponsored by Daiichi Sankyo and conducted by Harris Interactive, the survey of 400 adults diagnosed with high cholesterol found that nearly everyone (95 percent) agreed that a change in diet and regular exercise would be their preferred way to lower cholesterol. Yet, only half (50 percent) say they are doing everything they can to lower their cholesterol. Many are concerned about the possibility that prescription medications will damage their liver (83 percent) and kidneys (80 percent), but only three-fourths (73 percent) have discussed risks and side effects with their doctors.

Survey respondents often appeared to have other cardiovascular risk factors, including hypertension (52 percent), diabetes (29 percent) and coronary heart disease (14 percent). Cardiovascular disease remains the number one cause of death and disability in the U.S., claiming more than 870,000 lives every year.(1) Currently, more than 100 million American adults, about one third of the U.S. population, have a total blood cholesterol level higher than 200 mg/dL, which puts them at risk for cardiovascular disease.(2)

The survey also indicates that while most (91 percent) say it is important to them to have cholesterol checked regularly, nearly half (46 percent) of those with high cholesterol are not sure what their total cholesterol level is, and four in five respondents (80 percent) aren
'/>"/>