Chart 2B. Trends in cardiovascular risk factors in the US population ages 2074 (NHES: 196062; NHANES: 197175 to 19992000). Source: Gregg et al.28 In this study, high total cholesterol was defined as greater than or equal to 240 mg/dL; high blood pressure was defined as greater than or equal to 140/90 mm Hg.