The research team led by Asher Rosinger of the CDC wrote, “Removal of trans-fatty acids in foods has been suggested as an explanation for the observed trends of triglycerides, LDL-cholesterol levels, and [total cholesterol] levels. [These trends] may be contributing to declining death rates owing to coronary heart disease since 1999.”
Although heart disease does remain to be the number one killer in America, findings like these go to show that Americans are becoming more conscious of their heart health and making those necessary changes in order to reduce their risk of cardiovascular events.
Dr. David Friedman said the findings “highlight that over the last number of years, American adults are paying heed and perhaps are being more mindful of cutting out fatty foods to a good degree. [Furthermore] public health messages on cholesterol-lowering, as well as patient adherence to medication for cholesterol treatment, all seem to be working.”
The findings were published in JAMA Cardiology.