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High levels of LDL-cholesterol, and other abnormal lipids (fats), are risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Cholesterol is a soft, waxy substance found among the lipids in the bloodstream and in all the bodys cells. It is needed to form cell membranes and hormones, and for other bodily functions. The body can make cholesterol, or it can obtain it from food, especially animal products such as meats, poultry, fish, eggs, and dairy products. Certain saturated vegetable fats and oils, including coconut fat and palm oil, are cholesterol-free but cause an increase in blood cholesterol. Some foods that do not contain animal products may contain trans-fats, which also cause the body to make more cholesterol. Fruit, vegetables and cereals do not contain cholesterol. Cholesterol is transported around the body in two kinds of lipoproteins: low-density lipoprotein, or LDL, and highdensity lipoprotein, or HDL. A high level of LDL can lead to clogging of the arteries, increasing the risk of heart attack and ischaemic stroke, while HDL reduces the risk of coronary heart disease and stroke. The female sex hormone estrogen tends to raise HDLcholesterol levels, which may help explain why premenopausal women are relatively protected from developing coronary heart disease.

Risk factor: lipids

Cholesterol
ICELAND
FINLAND SWEDEN

ESTONIA UNITED KINGDOM DENMARK NETH. BELGIUM GERMANY POLAND CZECH REPUBLIC AUSTRIA SWITZ. CROATIA ITALY SPAIN
SERBIA & MONTENEGRO

Average cholesterol levels in women aged 30 and above mmol/litre estimated to 2005
RUSSIAN FEDERATION

data from urban populations only

LITHUANIA

6.0 and above 5.55.99 5.05.49

Average cholesterol levels in men more than 0.4 mmol/litre higher than in women

FRA NCE

HUNGARY ROMANIA BULGARIA

C A N A D A

RUSSIAN FEDERATION

3.04.99 no data

ALBANIA

Average cholesterol levels in women more than 0.4 mmol/litre higher than in men

U S A

MEXICO

CUBA DOMINICAN REP.

e eopl on p ve i l l i a m 105 e USA h els h t e l l v in stero e a e l o ch ar . that ular risk c s iova card

JAPAN
TURKEY

C H I N A
ISRAEL JORDAN KUWAIT PAKISTAN
NAURU

EGYPT SAUDI ARABIA

INDIA

BANGLADESH VIET NAM

SAMOA

GUATEMALA

THAILAND
TONGA

COSTA RICA

GAMBIA

NIGERIA

SINGAPORE

MICRONESIA, FED. STATES OF

SEYCHELLES

Hi cholesgh causes terol around a thir d cardio of all vas diseascular worldw e ide.

I N D O N E S I A

BRAZIL

PAPUA NEW GUINEA

AUSTRALIA
URUGUAY

Fatty deposits along the inside of artery walls lead to atherosclerosis and narrowing of the arteries.
NEW

Current recommended lipid levels

European guideline Total cholesterol LDL-cholesterol HDL-cholesterol less than 5.0 mmol/l less than 3.0 mmol/l 1.0 mmol/l or more in males 1.2 mmol/l or more in females less than 1.7 mmol/l US guideline less than 240 mg/dl (6.2 mmol/l) less than 160 mg/dl (3.8 mmol/l) 40 mg/dl (1 mmol/l) or more

Trends in cholesterol levels in Beijing, China

Average total cholesterol in people aged 25 to 64 years 19841999 mmol/l 5.25

ZEALAND

5.1 1999 1999

4.61 Men 4.43 1988 4.44 1993 1996 Women 4.17 1984 4.43 4.34 1988 1993

4.55 1996

Triglycerides (fasting)

less than 200 mg/dl (2.3 mmol/l)

4.15 1984

30

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