Young people should start monitoring their cholesterol levels earlier, according to a new study. Those who do not are not immune from dying prematurely from cardiovascular or coronary heart disease.
Even healthy young people are at risk of dying prematurely from heart disease if they fail to keep their cholesterol levels under control, according to a new study published in the journal Circulation. There, researchers looked at associations between cholesterol and death rates from cardiovascular and coronary heart disease. They wanted to assess whether or not young people should start making efforts to lower their cholesterol earlier, through lifestyle changes or cholesterol-lowering drugs.
Clog arteries
Coronary heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States, affecting half of men and one-third of women. It is estimated that 28.5 million Americans have a total cholesterol level of 240 mg / dL or more. Cholesterol contributes to clogging the arteries, which increases the risk of heart attacks and other things.stroke.
“High cholesterol at a young age means that the burden of cardiovascular disease will increase as these people get older. This research highlights the need to educate Americans of all ages about the risks of high cholesterol. high and on ways to keep cholesterol at a healthy level throughout life, ”said Robert Eckel, of the Lipid Clinic, in Aurora.
Followed for 27 years
36,375 young people who were initially healthy were followed for 27 years. Compared with participants with cholesterol levels below 100 mg / dL, those with levels between 100 and 159 mg / dL had a 30-40% higher risk of death from cardiovascular disease. Those with cholesterol levels of 160 mg / dL or more had a 70-90% increased risk of cardiovascular death, compared to participants with levels below 100 mg / dL.
In this cohort, 1,086 deaths were recorded due to cardiovascular illnesses and 598 caused by coronary heart disease. “Our study shows that having a low risk of cardiovascular disease estimated over 10 years does not eliminate the risk posed by high cholesterol over a lifetime,” said the study director, Shuaib Abdullah. “People at low risk should pursue lifestyle interventions, such as diet and exercise, to achieve cholesterol levels as low as possible, preferably below 100 mg / dL. intake of saturated fat, maintaining an adequate weight, quitting smoking and increasing aerobic exercise should apply to everyone, ”he concludes.
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