Cholesterol screening and awareness--behavioral risk factor surveillance system, 1990.

The association between high blood cholesterol and coronary heart disease (CHD) has been well documented (1), and lowering total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels can reduce the incidence of CHD. For example, a 1% decrease in serum cholesterol can result in a 2% decrease in the risk for CHD (2). To reduce the prevalence of high blood cholesterol in the United States, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute initiated the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) in 1985 (3) to encourage all adults to have their cholesterol levels checked at least once every 5 years, know their cholesterol levels, and if it is elevated, take steps to lower their levels. This report summarizes data on the proportion of adults who have been screened and report knowing their cholesterol levels.