Self-reported frequency of serum cholesterol testing, awareness of test results, and laboratory cholesterol values in two South Carolina communities.

Self-reported frequency of cholesterol testing and awareness of test results were collected from 5,246 adults 18 years and older in two semirural communities in South Carolina. Serum cholesterol was also measured for about 60 percent of this group. More than half of these persons had serum cholesterol values greater than 200 milligrams per deciliter (mg per dL) and 21 percent had values greater than 240 mg per dL. One-third of the population had had their cholesterol level measured within the past year; 40 percent reported that their cholesterol level had never been measured. Among persons whose cholesterol was 240 mg per dL or more, 39 percent reported that their cholesterol had never been measured or that they did not know if it had been measured, 37 percent reported that their cholesterol had been measured but that they were not told that it was high, and 18 percent reported that their cholesterol had been measured and that they were advised to reduce it. Among persons whose cholesterol was 200 mg per dL or more, and who reported that they had cardiovascular disease, 25 percent reported that they were advised to reduce their cholesterol. These results emphasize the need to increase the proportion of the population who have had their cholesterol level measured, who know their test results, and who have been properly counseled about the results.