WomenLessEffective Than Men In Managing Cholesterol (NAPS)—Anew national survey shows women takea less active role than men do in managing their high cholesterol levels. Today, about one-quarter of American women have blood cholesterol levels high enough to pose a serious risk for heart disease, with about Men have been twice as successful as womenin getting their cholesterol to recommendedlevels. Getting under 200 nine million womenofall ages currently suffering from the disease. Despite these startling fig- ures, the survey results show that only 49 percent of women who were diagnosed with high cholesterol changed their diets compared to 62 percent of men, and only 32 percent of women began exercising regularly compared to 50 percent of men. Fur- ther, women made up the majority (two-thirds) of patients who were unawareof their cholesterol levels altogether. “The statistics are disturbing because elevated cholesterol and heart disease are just as serious in women as they are in men, yet women may not be doing enough to combat it,” said Gerald Wilson, director of Citizens for Public Action on Blood Pressure and Cholesterol. Wilson’s organization sponsored the survey in conjunction with Sankyo Pharma of 500 adults (8325 women) with elevated cholesterol levels. The survey results echo Wilson’s comments, indicating that once diagnosed with elevated cho- lesterol levels, men (58 percent) are almost twice as successful as women (30 percent) in getting Chol, now available by prescrip- Cholesterol Level Reduction 61% ofpatients with total cholesterol are men; 39% are women 200 62% of men have changedtheir diet versus 49% of women Women 39% A en 61% 50% of men exercise regularly versus 32% of women their total cholesterol below the recommendedlevel of 200 mg/dL. These numbers could be attributable to the fact that women are less likely than men to be taking drugs to reduce their cholesterol (56 percent vs. 66 percent respectively). Women are also more apprehensive than men about the side-effect risk of passage of a drug via the bloodstream through the liver and kidneys (82 percent vs. 69 percent respectively). tion in pharmacies nationwide, can be used alone or with a “statin” drug to effectively lower LDL-cholesterol or “bad” choles- terol as adjunctive therapy to diet and exercise. Cholesterol is the principal building block for bile acids, which help us digest food. WelChol works by bindingto bile acidsin the intes- tine and taking those bile acids with it as it leaves the body. The body responds naturally by draw- ing LDL cholesterol from the blood- stream to replenish the supply, resulting in an overall lowering of cholesterol in the bloodstream. Since WelChol is not absorbed into the bloodstream, it has few unwanted side effects. The most commonside effects are gas, con- stipation, infection, stomach discomfort, and headache. You should not take WelChol if you have a bowelobstructionorif you are overly sensitive to any of the ingredients of WelChol listed in the prescribing information. Cholesterol management is an important health consideration for men and womenalike, so be sure to request a cholesterol screening Overall, 91 percent of patients expressed interest in a drug that would pass through their system from your healthcare provider. If you haveelevated cholesterol, your The introduction of WelChol (colesevelam HCl) by Sankyo Pharma may be an answer.It offers patients a non-absorbed cholesterol-lowering option. Wel- 877-4-SANKYO(1-877-472-6596). without being absorbed. doctor can also help you define your cholesterol goals and explain your treatment options. For more information on WelChol, call 1The survey was conducted by Roper Starch Worldwide.
