African American Men and Cholesterol

African American Men and Cholesterol

You may already know that heredity can play a role in cholesterol levels. 

A more specific example of this principle can be found through the cholesterol levels of some African American men. 

The keyword is ‘some’. 

This is because in a study printed in Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology, black men who had the ‘TT’ form of the MTP gene had LDL cholesterol levels 8 to 15 percent higher than black men who had other combinations of the gene. In this study 586 African American men from Alabama, Illinois, Minnesota and California were studied. 

Their cholesterol was tested every two years. 

The men who had the TT form of the MTP gene made up 7 percent of the total number of African American men participating in the study. 

All of these men were shown to have higher cholesterol levels. 

Researchers evaluated other factors that commonly contribute to high cholesterol, such as weight, age and whether or not a person drinks or smokes but found no difference. 

Individuals with the TT form of the MTP gene were still more likely to have higher cholesterol levels. For researchers such as Suh-Hang Hank Juo, MD, Ph.D., who was the leader of the study, these findings can help the medical community better understand specifically how genetics play a role in cholesterol levels. 

If it is true that this specific gene causes cholesterol problems, perhaps people can be tested earlier to see if they are at greater risk than others for high cholesterol.  Hopefully, as medical science advances, these types of test could become so popular that perhaps it could become widespread enough that testing could be done even on infants or maybe even earlier.  If parents knew ahead of time that their child was going to be more susceptible to high cholesterol, they could take the necessary measures before hand, so the problem doesn’t escalate out of control when the child gets older.

However, what can be done now, and should a person be especially concerned if they are an African American male?  Well, as previously stated only African American males with the TT form of the MTP gene were at greater risk, so gene-wise African American males are probably in the same category as anyone else when it comes to high cholesterol. 

However, black men are more likely to get hypertension.  Granted hypertension in and of itself doesn’t necessarily have to come from high cholesterol, but high cholesterol is often a contributor.  Black men should take note of this and try to not only do what is necessary to keep cholesterol levels low, but also make sure they get themselves tested to know what their cholesterol level is in the first place. 

Many impoverished African Americans fail to get their cholesterol levels tested because they can’t afford to go to the doctor.  However, by not knowing their cholesterol level and, (if it applies to them), eating in a manner that is unhealthy along with not exercising, they are putting themselves at greater risk for heart problems.  It is best if a person doesn’t have money to go to a doctor they try to see what the government can do for them.  There are also periodic health screenings at various venues such as colleges that are usually done for free.