Despite their significant risk factor to cardiovascular disease and hypertension, many Americans with high cholesterol do not take cholesterol-lowering drugs like Lipitor, according to a new report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released on Thursday, Dec 4.
In the report, more than 75 million Americans between the ages of 21 and above need to have cholesterol-lowering drugs to control the level of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), which is also known as the "bad cholesterol." This type of cholesterol can get sticky and build up plaque on the arteries, clogging them. In turn, as the blood's pathway becomes narrower, the heart needs to work harder. This condition can also lead to an increased risk of having hypertension, or high blood pressure.
Cardiovascular disease is currently one of the leading causes of death around the world. In the United States, at least 700,000 people die each year, according to American Heart Association (AHA). Meanwhile, 80 million adults have high blood pressure or hypertension.
However, when the researchers reviewed the data within the last nine years beginning in 2005, only 55.5% take cholesterol-lowering drugs. More than 32% are not doing anything to control their elevated cholesterol while close to 50% decide to implement a change in lifestyle as opposed to taking medications. Of those who took medications, more than 85% of them are prescribed and are taking statin like Lipitor.
The disparity further becomes more apparent once race is accounted for. Cholesterol-lowering drugs were the least popular among blacks. Incidentally, in a report by AHA, at least 40% of black men and women have high bad cholesterol. The CDC cites the poor access to health care as one of the primary reasons for the non-intake of cholesterol-lowering drugs among this group.
Based on the results, the CDC hopes that programs intended to lower cholesterol will be more targeted and inclusive, reducing disparity among races.