scotPHO introduction:
  High Blood Pressure
  High Cholesterol
(Current Page) Key points
  Introduction
  Risk factors
  Policy context
  Data
  Key data sources
  Key references and evidence
  Useful links
  Obesity
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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 58% of the Scottish population aged 16-64 years have 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, or attend only once per year.
  • 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 4,500 deaths per year attributable to raised cholesterol levels.

 

 Section updates:

  • The last major update of this section was completed in June 2010.
  • The next major update is due to be carried out by end June 2011.