In a study "Cardiovascular Risk Factor Trends and Potential for Reducing Coronary Heart Disease Mortality in the United States of America ", published by Capewell, Ford, Croft, Critchley, Greenlund, and Labarthe in the Bull World Health Organ (2010), the authors estimated that if Healthy People 2010 CVD risk factor targets were reached, there would be approximately 188,000 fewer CHD deaths (from 2000 to 2010). The CVD risk factors considered were total cholesterol, blood pressure, cigarette smoking, physical activity, BMI, and diabetes.
The table below shows that for every 38.6 mg/dL decrease in total cholesterol, there is reduction in estimated CHD mortality that ranges from 10% to 68% for men and women. The projected decrease is greater with increasing age, and individuals 55 and older would derive the greatest benefit.
Percentage risk reduction for CHD mortality for every 1-unit change in major CVD risk factors
|
|
|
| Age (yr) |
|
|
|
| 25-44 | 45-54 | 55-64 | 65-74 | 75-84 |
| Per 1 mmHg decease in SBP |
|
|
|
|
|
| Men | ↓3.5% | ↓3.4% | ↓3.1% | ↓2.7% | ↓2.1% |
| Women | ↓4.5% | ↓4.5% | ↓3.4% | ↓3.1% | ↓2.6% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Per 1 mmol/L decrease in TC | ↓10% | ↓35% | ↓55% | ↓67% | ↓68% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Per 1 kg/m2 increase in BMI | ↑4% | ↑3% | ↑2% | ↑1% | ↑1% |
The table was provided by Dr. Guixiang Zhao, CDC.
These findings again reinforce the importance of controlling LDL-cholesterol (which tracks with total cholesterol) through healthy lifestyle practices (diet and physical activity), as well as drug therapy when indicated.
