About 63% Of US Women Concerned About High Cholesterol

About 63% of U.S. women are concerned about high cholesterol, but only32% know their cholesterol number, according to a nationwide surveyreleased Tuesday by the Society for Women's Health Research, United Press International reports (United Press International, 8/21).

According to a SWHR release, the firm GfK Custom Research North Americaconducted the telephone survey of 524 women from June 29 to July 1. Thesurvey found that nearly 88% of the women know that high cholesterol islinked to hardening of the arteries and heart disease, and almost 85%know high cholesterol can lead to stroke. However, only 50% of thewomen reported receiving a cholesterol test in the past year (SWHRrelease, 8/21). About 60% of women surveyed said they actively weretrying to manage their cholesterol (Soltis, New York Post, 8/22).

Accordingto the survey, only 35% of the women knew any of the four numbers formonitoring cholesterol: total cholesterol level, low densitylipoprotein, high density lipoprotein and triglyceride level. Nearlyall women know that exercise can help fight high cholesterol, and about95% know that eating more fruits and vegetables and less high-fat foodscan help heart health, the survey found (United Press International, 8/21).

"Clearly,strides have been made in educating women on the risks of highcholesterol, but the disconnect between awareness and action needs tobe addressed," Phyllis Greenberger, president and CEO of SWHR, said,adding, "Knowing your cholesterol number is the first step incontrolling cholesterol" (SWHR release, 8/21).

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