One-third of Americans have high cholesterol; only half get treated

ATLANTA (AP) — Only about half of U.S. adults with high levels of bad cholesterol get treatment for it. Worse, not all those treated are managing to control the problem, according to a new government report.

In all, as many as two out of three Americans with high levels of bad cholesterol do not have their problem under control, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Tuesday.

That means only about 23 million of the 71 million adults with worrisome bad cholesterol levels keep it in check, perhaps because many don't eat wisely, exercise or take prescribed medications, experts said.

High cholesterol "remains out of control in this country," said Dr. Thomas Frieden, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance found in many foods that can clog blood vessels.