Overall, average levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides and lowdensity lipoprotein cholesterol have continued to decline post-2010, according to a study published in JAMA Cardiology.
Researchers examined eight two-year cross-sectional cycles of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 1999 to 2000 and 2013 to 2014. They examined total cholesterol levels for 39,049 U.S. adults; triglyceride levels for 17,486 adults; and lowdensity lipoprotein cholesterol levels for 17,096 adults.
Here are three insights:
1. Age-adjusted average total cholesterol decreased between 1999 to 2000 and 2013 to 2014, with a 6-mg/dL drop between 2011 to 2012 and 2013 to 2014.
2. Age-adjusted geometric average triglyceride levels decreased from 123 mg/dL in 1999 to 2000 to 97 mg/dL in 2013 to 2014.
3. Average LDL-C levels decreased from 126 mg/dL to 111 mg/dL during the eight survey cycles, with a 4-mg/dL drop between 2011 to 2012 and 2013 to 2014.