Oklahomans face cholesterol health risk

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ State Health Department officials have identified another health risk threatening Oklahomans, this one involving cholesterol. <br/><br/>The Health Department says one in three Oklahomans

Friday, September 17th 2004, 6:15 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ State Health Department officials have identified another health risk threatening Oklahomans, this one involving cholesterol.

The Health Department says one in three Oklahomans has high levels of cholesterol, a major risk factor in deaths from heart attacks and coronary disease. Smoking, obesity and diabetes are major contributors to the problem.

Officials say high cholesterol levels are involved in 43 percent of heart disease deaths in Oklahoma.

The Health Department is supporting new guidelines to pinpoint people who have high cholesterol and need to start drug treatment and lifestyle changes.

The state's Health Commissioner, Doctor Michael Crutcher, says high cholesterol is often undetected until a heart attack or stroke.