In the midst of a cardiovascular disease crisis, could a simple test help to bend the curve?
Cardiovascular disease is a public health crisis in the U.S. But there is a common culprit that we can — and should — be doing more to manage.
In the U.S., someone has a heart attack or stroke every
Cardiovascular disease is a leading public health crisis in the U.S.2 A major culprit is LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol, commonly known as “bad cholesterol.”3
High LDL cholesterol is extremely common, but as it has no symptoms, many people don’t know they have it or aren’t aware of its threat to their health.4
In a 2023 survey from the American Heart Association with The Harris Poll of 503 adults who had previously had a heart attack or stroke:*
*This survey was part of the Lower Your LDL Cholesterol Now™ Initiative, which is nationally sponsored by Amgen.
This lack of understanding about the risks of LDL cholesterol, combined with an absence of emphasis on regular testing, are significant barriers to overcoming the nation’s cardiovascular disease crisis.
LDL cholesterol can lead to a buildup of fatty deposits, or “plaques,” inside arteries, that may gradually lead to reduced blood flow. This is known as atherosclerosis.
If a piece of plaque breaks free, it could travel into the bloodstream and suddenly block a blood vessel to the heart or brain, causing a heart attack or stroke.
Estimated number of people in the U.S. who have cardiovascular disease linked to atherosclerosis:
But millions of these people are not managing and maintaining recommended LDL cholesterol levels.5
Serious inequities in the healthcare system make this problem even worse for certain populations. Guideline-recommended cholesterol-lowering therapy is more often prescribed for individuals who are white, have a high income, or have advanced education.6 Black and Asian individuals, and women, are less likely to achieve recommended LDL cholesterol levels.7
In the U.S., nearly 48 million women are affected by cardiovascular disease.8
Ultimately, throughout the U.S., insufficient testing and treatment for LDL cholesterol is a persistent and pervasive problem. It is also widely held that diet and exercise are enough to lower LDL cholesterol, but for some patients, the up to 20 percent LDL-C reduction provided by diet and exercise are not enough to achieve recommended levels.10 And despite the availability of various medications that can significantly lower LDL cholesterol, a substantial proportion of high-risk patients are not taking them.
1 in 3 people who have had a heart attack or stroke are likely to experience another cardiovascular event within 4 years.11
Now, a new initiative from Amgen is providing information on free LDL cholesterol testing to help people to know more and do more about their LDL cholesterol levels. The program aims to help patients be more informed when talking to their doctor about their LDL-C level.
Find out more information about how to access Amgen’s free LDL cholesterol tesT.*
*Terms and Conditions apply. Quantities are limited.
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Sources:
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2 Mark McClellan, Nancy Brown, Robert M. Califf and John J. Warner. Call to Action: Urgent Challenges in Cardiovascular Disease: APresidential Advisory From the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2019;139:e44–e54.https://doi.org/10.1161/CIR.0000000000000652
3 Bentzon JF, Otsuka F, Virmani R, Falk E. Mechanisms of plaque formation and rupture. Circ Res. 2014 Jun 6;114(12):1852-66. doi:10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.114.302721. PMID: 24902970
4 Heart attack and stroke survivors neglect LDL cholesterol despite increased risk. https://newsroom.heart.org/news/heart-attack-and-stroke-survivors-neglect-ldl-cholesterol-despite-increased-risk
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9 Nanna MG, Wang TY, Xiang Q, et al. Sex Differences in the Use of Statins in Community Practice. Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes. 2019;12:e005562. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCOUTCOMES.118.005562
10 Rosenthal RL. Effectiveness of altering serum cholesterol levels without drugs. Proc (Bayl Univ Med Cent). 2000 Oct;13(4):351-5. doi: 10.1080/08998280.2000.11927704. PMID: 16389340; PMCID: PMC1312230
11 Bhatt DL, Eagle KA, Ohman EM, et al. Comparative determinants of 4-year cardiovascular event rates in stable outpatients at risk of or with atherothrombosis. JAMA. 2010;304(12):1350-1357. doi:10.1001/jama.2010.1322