According to the American Heart Association, It is estimated that more than 100 million American adults have total blood cholesterol values of 200 mg/dL and higher. From these individuals about 35 million American adults have blood cholesterol levels of 240 and up. Keeping in mind that normal levels of cholesterol should be below 200 (200 is considered borderline high) and 240 level of cholesterol is considered extremely high (very high potential risk for a heart disease, stroke, liver failure and even death), these alarming figures alone place high cholesterol at one of the top health problems in America, growing at an epidemic rate.

Here are some the statistical facts and information gathered from the American Heart Association describing this alarming health phenomenon:

Among non-Hispanic whites age 20 and older, 50 percent have total blood cholesterol levels over 200 mg/dL. 16.5 percent of men and 18.4 percent of women have blood cholesterol levels of 240 mg/dL or higher.

Among Mexican Americans age 20 and older, 51.9 percent of men and 44.8 percent of women have total blood cholesterol levels over 200 mg/dL. 16.7 percent of men and 13.6 percent of women have blood cholesterol levels of 240 mg/dL or higher.

More than 30 percent of male and 15 percent of women Americans age 20 and older have HDL cholesterol of less than 40 mg/dL (HDL cholesterol levels below 40 mg/dL puts you in a risk for heart diseases, liver failure, and CHD).

Because of their low in saturated fat diet, Asians have an LDL cholesterol level of less than 95 on average.

Americans spend tens of billions of dollars per year on the statin drug, with about 30 million prescriptions for lowering cholesterol levels, written yearly.

Dietary and lifestyle changes have been shown to reduce the LDL blood cholesterol levels by more than 40 percent.