Vic, Tas, worst cholesterol in Australia

Victorians and Tasmanians have topped a study as having the worst average cholesterol levels in Australia.

Analysis of almost 200,000 patient records has shown Tasmanians' average cholesterol level was the nation's highest, at 5.41mmol/L (millimoles per litre), with Victorians' average level at 5.23mmol/L.

Average levels were also high among South Australians (5.19mmol/L), followed by the Northern Territory (5.16mmol/L), Western Australia (5.13mmol/L), New South Wales (5.10mmol/L), and the Australian Capital Territory (5.08mmol/L).

The lowest average cholesterol levels in the study period from 2004 to mid-2009 were found in Queensland, at 5.05mmol/L.

Cholesterol, a type of blood fat, is often divided into good cholesterol or HDL, and bad cholesterol, or LDL.

The study by the Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute found the highest average levels of bad cholesterol were found in Tasmania and South Australia (both with 3.23mmol/L), followed by Victoria and Queensland (both with 3.13 mmol/L).

The ACT had average LDL levels of 3.10mmol/L, followed by WA (3.04mmol/L) and New South Wales (3.03mmol/L).

All states LDL levels were above the recommended target of 3.0 mmol/L.

One of the authors of the report, Professor Simon Stewart, said the findings were a reminder that Victorians needed to work towards reaching healthy cholesterol levels, especially given the high level of bad cholesterol in the state's patients.

"This is concerning given the link between cholesterol and heart disease, the leading cause of death in this country," Prof Stewart said.

He said it was unclear why average cholesterol levels differed between states, but it could indicate socio-economic differences, or differences in healthcare management.

"Observed differences indicate that patients in these high cholesterol states are at higher risk of preventable strokes and hearth attacks," he said.

Authors of the report said Australian adults should adopt a healthy lifestyle, know their cholesterol levels, remember to take prescribed medicine regularly and to develop a longterm plan to treat and monitor cholesterol levels.

The report was sponsored by pharmaceuticals company AstraZeneca, the maker of cholesterol drug Crestor.