VOA标准英语2011--WHO Study Finds Many with High Cholester

A major study by the World Health Organization shows that most people with high cholesterol¹ levels around the world are not getting the treatment they need, to avoid such serious diseases as heart attacks and strokes. And the authors of the study - the largest ever undertaken - say the problem is especially serious in the developing world.
The connection between high cholesterol and heart attacks is not new. But the new global study serves as yet another warning about the growing epidemic² of untreated high cholesterol levels, which can cause cardiovascular disease.
The study was done on 147 million people - and found an increasing incidence of high levels of cholesterol the world over. Even more worrying, the researchers say, is that many of those patients are going untreated.
In Japan, for example, 53 per cent of those diagnosed with high cholesterol did not get treatment. While in Thailand, 78 per cent of those surveyed were never even diagnosed.
Experts are stressing the basics yet again. Dr Chelsea Kidwell, Director of the Georgetown Stroke Center in Washington, said "As developing countries adopt a western diet - the cholesterol levels are increasing so people need to understand that high cholesterol is a significant risk factor for stroke and heart disease."
A high level of so-called "bad" cholesterol causes plaque³ in the bloodstream, which can slow down the blood flow to the heart. If not enough blood and oxygen reach the heart, it can result in a heart attack. If the blockage⁴ keeps blood from getting to the brain, it can cause a stroke. On its own, high cholesterol does not cause any symptoms so many times people are unaware⁵ of the problem until a stroke or heart attack hits.
"A simple blood test can tell you where your cholesterol levels are and we have target ranges that we know decreases the risk of stroke and heart attack for example the bad type of cholesterol we would like to keep it under 100 and that minimizes the risk of having an event," said Dr. Kidwell.
Cardiovascular disease kills more than 17 million people every year and WHO says 80 percent of these deaths occur in developing countries.
Dr Joseph Sabik of Cleveland Clinic says the risk can be reduced by making simple lifestyle changes.
"If you're someone that's overweight - you gotta lose weight. If you're sedentary, you have to exercise. If you have a strong family history and the genetics are there. You have to (take aggressive action) to take care of yourself," he said.
Lifestyle changes may not benefit everyone. Medication may become necessary for those whose cholesterol levels are very high.
But Dr. Kidwell says medication may be out of reach for many people. "Globally they are probably not going to be affordable⁶ in some of the developing countries and that is an ongoing⁷ problem that the health care community needs to address," she said.
Global health experts say that along with improved screening and treatment for cholesterol people should eat less salt and fewer saturated⁸ fats, and avoid tobacco. They believe these steps can help stem the rising tide of global cholesterol levels.

1 cholesterol   

n.（U）胆固醇

参考例句：

• There is cholesterol in the cell of body.人体细胞里有胆固醇。
• They are determining the serum-protein and cholesterol levels.他们正在测定血清蛋白和胆固醇的浓度。

2 epidemic   

n.流行病；盛行；adj.流行性的，流传极广的

参考例句：

• That kind of epidemic disease has long been stamped out.那种传染病早已绝迹。
• The authorities tried to localise the epidemic.当局试图把流行病限制在局部范围。

3 plaque   

n.饰板，匾，(医)血小板

参考例句：

• There is a commemorative plaque to the artist in the village hall.村公所里有一块纪念该艺术家的牌匾。
• Some Latin words were engraved on the plaque. 牌匾上刻着些拉丁文。

4 blockage   

n.障碍物；封锁

参考例句：

• The logical treatment is to remove this blockage.合理的治疗方法就是清除堵塞物。
• If the blockage worked,they could retreat with dignity.如果封锁发生作用，他们可以体面地撤退。

5 unaware   

a.不知道的，未意识到的

参考例句：

• They were unaware that war was near. 他们不知道战争即将爆发。
• I was unaware of the man's presence. 我没有察觉到那人在场。

6 affordable   

adj.支付得起的，不太昂贵的

参考例句：

• The rent for the four-roomed house is affordable.四居室房屋的房租付得起。
• There are few affordable apartments in big cities.在大城市中没有几所公寓是便宜的。

7 ongoing   

adj.进行中的，前进的

参考例句：

• The problem is ongoing.这个问题尚未解决。
• The issues raised in the report relate directly to Age Concern's ongoing work in this area.报告中提出的问题与“关心老人”组织在这方面正在做的工作有直接的关系。

8 saturated   

a.饱和的，充满的

参考例句：

• The continuous rain had saturated the soil. 连绵不断的雨把土地淋了个透。
• a saturated solution of sodium chloride 氯化钠饱和溶液