Women Need More Cholesterol 101

The CholesterALL Survey of 2700 women found thatmany do not known the difference between low-densitylipoprotein (LDL; "bad") cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein(HDL; "good") cholesterol. Furthermore, 25% of therespondents had experienced a heart attack or stroke, havediabetes, or have cardiovascular disease. The on-line surveyfound the following:

• 81% of the respondents were unable to name their HDLor LDL numbers
• 84% of the respondents could not name their triglyceridelevels
• 59% of the respondents did not know that HDL is the"good" cholesterol and that LDL is the "bad" cholesterol
• 82% of the respondents who reported taking a prescriptionmedication to raise their HDL reported that theywere taking a statin

"The survey findings tell us that something has been lostin the dialogue about cholesterol disorders in women. Thereis a lack of knowledge and understanding that there are differenttypes of cholesterol and different ways to addresseach," said Suzanne Hughes, RN, MSN, past president ofthe Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses Association.