PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Dyslipidemia is the medical term for having an elevated total cholesterol or ldl cholesterol level.

This is a very important risk factor for stroke and coronary artery disease. It is estimated that one fourth of adults in the United States have an elevated cholesterol. The ldl cholesterol is probably more important in the big picture.

Ldl measures the so called bad cholesterol which is directly related to much of the damage in our blood vessels. Controlling the bad cholesterol is crucial if we are going to make headway in the battle against heart disease.

Fortunately a new study finds that doctors and patients understand this and major strides are being made to try and make these changes.

Reported By Dr. Brian McDonough, KYW Newsradio Medical Editor