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Survey Supports Need for Education of High Cholesterol Sufferers

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(NewsUSA) - A recent survey of U.S. adults with high cholesterol shows that in spite of concerns about the serious health risks associated with their condition, such as heart attack, stroke and coronary heart disease, there's a significant disconnect between understanding what should be done to monitor and control high cholesterol and actually implementing recommended changes to lower cholesterol levels. Moreover, most adults who have high cholesterol and type 2 diabetes view their diabetes as the more serious condition.

Cardiovascular disease remains the number-one cause of death and disability in the United States among both men and women. More than 870,000 people die from heart disease every year-that's 36 percent of all deaths in the United States.

A recent Harris International survey of 400 adults diagnosed with high cholesterol, found there is a significant disconnect between understanding what "should be done" to monitor and control their high cholesterol and actually taking the condition and its risks seriously enough to make changes to their lifestyle. More specifically, the survey indicates:

* Ninety-five percent of those surveyed agree that a change in diet and regular exercise would be their preferred way to lower cholesterol, but only 50 percent say they are doing everything they can to lower cholesterol.

* Ninety-one percent of adults with high cholesterol surveyed believe it is important to have their cholesterol checked on a regular basis, but only 71 percent of people get it checked every year.

* Seventy-three percent of those in the survey who also have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes consider the disease serious enough or life threatening, and all of them are doing something to manage their diabetes; 73 percent of respondents also expressed interest in taking a medication that treats both diabetes and cholesterol.

The good news is that 83 percent of people surveyed have discussed with their doctor the benefits of taking a prescription medication to help lower cholesterol, and 73 percent have discussed possible risks and side effects.

When it comes to taking medications to treat high cholesterol, the survey says that 83 percent are concerned about the possibility that the medication will damage their liver, 80 percent are concerned about whether the medication will damage their kidneys, and 67 percent are concerned that a medicine would cause muscle aches and pains. The survey also indicates that people desire a cholesterol-lowering medication that is non-systemic -; meaning the prescription drug is not absorbed by the body and is eliminated from the system without affecting the liver, kidneys or other target organs.

For those interested in a non-systemic option, they may want to speak to their doctor about Welchol. Approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2000, it differs from many other cholesterol medications on the market because it is non-systemic. For more information about this medication, visit http://www.Welchol.com.