Survey: Women concerned over cholesterol

WASHINGTON, Aug. 21 (UPI) -- Sixty-three percent of U.S. women are concerned about high cholesterol, but only 32 percent know their cholesterol number, a survey found.

Nearly nine out of 10 women surveyed knew that high cholesterol is linked to hardening of the arteries and heart disease and 85 percent knew high cholesterol can lead to stroke. Almost 60 percent of the women asked said they were actively trying to manage their cholesterol, the survey conducted by GfK Custom Research North America for the advocacy organization Society for Women’s Health Research, in Washington, found.

Fifty-seven percent of the women who recently had a cholesterol test could recall the information, but only 35 percent knew any of the four key numbers for monitoring cholesterol: total cholesterol level; the low density lipoprotein, or LDL level, known as the "bad" cholesterol; high density lipoprotein, or HDL level, known as the "good" cholesterol and triglyceride, or blood fat, level.

Nearly all women know exercise can play a part in fighting high cholesterol and 95 percent know eating more fruit and vegetables and eating less high-fat foods can help heart health.