A recent study highlights the importance of addressing high cholesterol and high blood pressure, especially before the age of 55, as they can significantly increase the risk of heart disease later in life.
The results are part of a studyTrusted Source published recently in the journal PLOS ONE.
Dr. Yu-Ming Ni, a cardiologist and lipidologist at MemorialCare Heart and Vascular Institute at Orange Coast Medical Center in California who was not involved in the study, agrees that the research isn’t going to change his overall scope of treatment.
But, Ni suggested he might be more aggressive in managing cholesterol at a younger age.
“I might talk to my younger patients who have more chances of making changes to diet/lifestyle, better explain the risks, and work with them on changes they can make in their daily lives,” he told Medical News Today.
“As we age, other factors take over, such as smoking, sedentary lifestyle, and poor eating habits, and take over the role of genetics,” Ni added. “When that happens, we need to modify these things to lower our risk of high cholesterol.
This study shows that the longer you have high cholesterol, the higher your chance of heart disease.”
Here’s a summary of the key findings and insights from the study:
Increased Risk Regardless of Age: The research found that individuals with high LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) and elevated systolic blood pressure (SBP) had a higher risk of coronary heart disease, regardless of their age when these conditions were diagnosed. This suggests that addressing these risk factors early in life is crucial.
Cumulative Effects: Coronary heart disease is often the result of cumulative exposure to risk factors such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol. These factors can have long-lasting implications on a person’s risk for heart disease.
Age and Genetic Factors: The study noted that the effects of high SBP on coronary heart disease diminish with age, possibly due to genetic factors, as the influence of genetics on various diseases tends to decrease later in life.
Treatment is Important: The researchers emphasized that age alone should not be a reason to withhold appropriate treatments for high LDL-C and SBP. Medications like statins and blood pressure-lowering drugs can be effective in reducing the risk of heart disease, even in older individuals. However, the use of these treatments often declines with age, and the study suggests that treating younger individuals with these risk factors is essential to minimize lifelong exposure.
Lifestyle Factors: Lifestyle factors such as diet, physical activity, smoking, and alcohol consumption play a significant role in both high cholesterol and high blood pressure. Managing these factors, especially at a younger age, can help reduce the risk of heart disease.
Medical Perspective: Cardiologists interviewed in the article emphasized that they already treat high cholesterol and high blood pressure in patients under 55. The study findings may lead to a more aggressive approach to managing cholesterol at a younger age and better communication with patients about lifestyle changes.
Study Limitations: The study had some limitations, including variations in the use of antihypertensive and lipid-lowering medications among age groups. The researchers adjusted their analysis based on treatment status to account for these variations.
In summary, the study underscores the importance of addressing high cholesterol and high blood pressure early in life to reduce the risk of coronary heart disease. It suggests that age should not be a barrier to appropriate treatment, and lifestyle modifications play a critical role in managing these risk factors.
