Abstract P2083: Lower Your LDL Cholesterol Now Initiative: Understanding Survivor LDL Awareness and Behaviors

Abstract

Introduction: High cholesterol, and specifically high low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), is one of the major controllable risk factors for coronary heart disease, heart attack and stroke. About 1 in 4 U.S. adults have high LDL-C, which can be caused by lifestyle risk factors or genetics. More investigation is needed to understand the appropriate educational approach on LDL-C with heart attack and stroke survivors. Goals: The American Heart Association (AHA) is implementing a national 3-year initiative called Lower Your LDL Cholesterol Now TM to improve LDL-C understanding, testing and treatment adherence among survivors. We aim to understand survivors’ knowledge, motivators, and barriers to cholesterol testing and treatment to ultimately build an educational approach, supportive of cholesterol self-management skills. Methods: A 15-minute online survey was conducted with The Harris Poll on behalf of the AHA among nationally representative sample of 3,008 U.S. adults aged 18+ and an oversample of 503 U.S. adults aged 18+ who have experienced and survived a heart attack and/or stroke. Results: The survey revealed three out of four survivors (75%) reported having high cholesterol yet nearly half (47%) are unaware of their LDL-C number. Additionally, only about half (49%) prioritize their cholesterol, and 1 in 3 believe high cholesterol poses no or only a small increased risk for heart attack and stroke. However, 98% of survivors are willing to get their cholesterol measured if recommended by their health care professional (HCP). Conclusion: Nearly all survivors are receptive to having their cholesterol checked by their HCP if recommended, therefore, this initiative will focus on educating survivors to 1) know their LDL-C number, 2) understand the connection between high LDL and repeat events and 3) improve treatment adherence.