Heart health and cholesterol levels of Canadians, 2007 to 2009
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Lipids are a class of fats, or fat-like substances, which includes cholesterol and triglycerides. Cholesterol is vital for our body but there are two types, good and bad. "Good" cholesterol, called high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (or HDL cholesterol), helps to prevent the narrowing of artery walls by removing and transporting any excess to the liver for excretion. "Bad" cholesterol, called low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (or LDL cholesterol), carries cholesterol for cell-building needs but leaves behind any excess on the walls of the arteries. "Bad" cholesterol can lead to cardiovascular diseases. Lowering this type of cholesterol reduces the risk of heart attack, stroke, and the necessity for heart bypass surgery. High triglyceride levels increase the tendency of the blood to clot.
The Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS) tested the blood samples of participants for a number of lipids: total cholesterol, triglycerides, "bad" cholesterol, "good" cholesterol and the ratio of total cholesterol to high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (TC/HDL-C). The healthy levels for lipids, suggested by current evidence, are outlined in Table 1.
Monitoring lipids for the management of abnormal levels and the prevention of cardiovascular diseases is particularly important for men over 40 years of age and women who are menopausal or over 50 years of age. Lipid monitoring is also important for people with diabetes and atherosclerosis, or for those who have risk factors such as smoking, abdominal obesity, hypertension, and a strong family history of premature cardiovascular diseases.
High "bad" cholesterol can be prevented through physical activity, healthy diet and not smoking. A lipid-lowering therapy might be recommended to normalize the cholesterol level of people with specific conditions (including atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, hypertension, diabetes and obesity) or for anyone with high, moderate or even low risk of cardiovascular diseases.
| Total cholesterol | < 4.5 mmol/L (6 to 19 years)1 < 5.2 mmol/L (20 to 79 years)1 |
|---|---|
| Triglycerides | < 1.7 mmol/L1 |
|
Low density lipoprotein-cholesterol LDL,
"bad" cholesterol |
< 3.4 mmol/L2 |
|
High density lipoprotein-cholesterol HDL,
"good" cholesterol |
> 1.0 mmol/L men1 > 1.3 mmol/L women1 |
|
Ratio of total cholesterol to HDL cholesterol (TC/HDL-C ) |
< 4.112 |
1 Based on recommendations from the CHMS Physician Advisory Committee
2 Based on recommendations from the U.S. National Cholesterol Education Program
Results
Among Canadians aged 20 to 79, over 40% have a high total cholesterol level (Chart 1), with no substantial gender differences. High total cholesterol and triglycerides levels increase with age.
Unhealthy levels of "bad" cholesterol generally increase with age, but peaked in the 40 to 59 year age group, where about 43% of Canadians registered unhealthy levels. About 30% of Canadians aged 20 to 79 have low levels of "good" cholesterol, with no substantial difference between age groups (Chart 2).
Chart 1
Percentage of Canadian adults with unhealthy levels of total cholesterol and triglycerides, by age group
Note: All data presented are from fasting respondents and do not account for the impact of lipid adjusting therapy.
Source: Canadian Health Measures Survey, 2007 to 2009
Chart 2
Percentage of Canadian adults with unhealthy levels of "good" and "bad" cholesterol, by age group
Note: All data presented are from fasting respondents and do not account for the impact of lipid adjusting therapy.
Source: Canadian Health Measures Survey, 2007 to 2009
Lipid levels among Canadian children and youth
Most Canadian children and youth aged 6 to 19 have normal triglycerides and "bad" cholesterol levels, with no substantial gender differences (Table 2). However, a relatively lower percentage of children and youth have levels of total cholesterol within normal ranges.
|
Lipid |
Age Group | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 to 11 | 12 to 19 | |||
| Males | Females | Males | Females | |
| Total cholesterol | 70 | 68 | 78 | 78 |
| Triglycerides | 99 | 98 | 91 | 91 |
|
Low density lipoprotein-cholesterol LDL, "bad" cholesterol |
95 | 93 | 94 | 94 |
|
Ratio of total cholesterol to HDL cholesterol (TC/HDL-C ) |
95 | 89 | 88 | 89 |
Note: All data presented are from fasting respondents and do not account for the impact of lipid adjusting therapy.
Source: Canadian Health Measures Survey, 2007 to 2009
High lipids and health
About 36% of Canadian adults aged 20 to 79 who don't have a healthy level of "good" cholesterol are obese; by comparison, only about 16% of those with a healthy level of good cholesterol are obese (Table 3). Generally, unhealthy levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides and "bad" cholesterol are associated with higher measured hypertension. CHMS results also show that Canadian adults who do not meet healthy levels of triglycerides and "good" cholesterol seem to have a higher incidence of self-reported heart disease.
| Lipid |
Have healthy levels
Yes/ No |
% who are obese |
% with measured hypertension*
(≥ 140 systolic or ≥ 90 diastolic) |
% with self-reported heart disease |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total cholesterol | yes | 19 | 3.8 | 5.3E |
| no | 27 | 8.8 | 2.7E | |
| Triglycerides | yes | 17 | 5.1E | 3.6 |
| no | 40 | 8.1E | 6.2E | |
| Low density lipoprotein-cholesterol LDL,"bad" cholesterol | yes | 17 | 5.1 | 5.1E |
| no | 31 | 7.1E | 2.7E | |
| High density lipoprotein-cholesterol HDL,"good" cholesterol | yes | 16 | 6.2 | 3.1E |
| no | 36 | 4.9E | 7.0E | |
| Ratio of total cholesterol to HDL cholesterol (TC/HDL-C ) | yes | 16 | 5.9 | 4.5E |
| no | 32 | 5.8 E | 3.8E |
E Use with caution (data with a coefficient of variation from 16.6% to 33.3%)
* The data presented are based on measured hypertension and do not account for the impact of medication.
Note: All data presented are from fasting respondents and do not account for the impact of lipid adjusting therapy.
Source: Canadian Health Measures Survey, 2007 to 2009
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