High cholesterol: key points

  • A high cholesterol level in the blood is a clinical risk factor for coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke.
  • The risk factors for high cholesterol include a fatty diet, lack of exercise, drinking alcohol to excess, inherited conditions, and getting older.
  • The consensus in the UK is that 5.0 mmol/l is the point at which the total cholesterol level becomes 'raised'.
  • An estimated 53% of Scottish men and 56% of Scottish women aged 16-64 in 2010 had a cholesterol level greater than 5.0 mmol/l (including those on lipid lowering medication).
  • A large proportion of these people do not attend their GP practice. An estimated 0.7% of the population (approximately 37,000 people) consulted a member of the general practice team at least once during 2010/11.
  • The World Health Organization has estimated that worldwide about 8% of all deaths are attributable to a 'non-optimal' cholesterol level (mean cholesterol over 3.8 mmol/l) (Lawes et al, 2004). Applying this percentage to Scotland would give an estimate of around 4,300 deaths per year attributable to raised cholesterol levels.

 

Section updates:

  • The last major update of this section was completed in January 2012.
  • The next major update is due to be carried out by end January 2013.