Estimates indicate that approx One in four adults in the United States He has High LDL cholesterolWhich can accumulate in the arteries over time, increasing the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
But “bad” cholesterol isn’t the only thing you should look out for.
Other types of fats and lipoproteins can also build up in the blood to abnormal levels, called DyslipidemiaWhich in turn can lead to Cardiovascular disease, atherosclerosis (ASCVD), and The leading cause of death and morbidity in the world.
This year, experts in the United States Update their official guidance On how to manage cholesterol and prevent dyslipidemia, fix the first 2018 guidelines.
The new guidelines are still being implemented Cholesterol managementBut they also take a broader perspective, focusing on taking early action to address blood fats that can harm people’s health.
“We know that 80% or more of cardiovascular disease is preventable, and that high LDL cholesterol, sometimes referred to as ‘bad’ cholesterol, is a major part of that risk.” He says Cardiologist Roger Blumenthal of the Johns Hopkins Ciccarone Center for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention is chair of the guideline writing committee.
“While we want to try to improve healthy lifestyle habits as a first step to lowering cholesterol, we recognize that if lipid counts are not within the desired range after a period of lifestyle improvement, we should consider adding lipid-lowering medications earlier than we would have thought 10 years ago.”
In the new guidelines, written for physicians and clinicians, the main focus is on starting treatment for dyslipidemia early to reduce the lifelong risks associated with prolonged exposure to atherosclerotic lipoproteins.
“Low LDL cholesterol for a longer period, just like lower blood pressure for a longer period, results in much greater protection against the risk of future heart attacks and strokes,” Blumenthal said. He says.
This means that it is recommended to start cholesterol screening in children between the ages of 9 and 11 years, if they have not been previously screened, although it can be started at age 2 if there is a family history of serious cardiovascular disease or cholesterol-related diseases.
Another change is that doctors are recommending a new disease risk calculator called It is forbiddento estimate the 10-year and 30-year risk of cardiovascular disease in patients aged 30 to 79 years.
“With this new assessment tool, we can better estimate cardiovascular risk using health information already obtained during an annual physical exam – cholesterol and blood pressure readings and other personal information such as age and health habits – and then personalize a risk score for each individual by looking at ‘risk enhancers’, which can help guide the need for lipid-lowering treatment.” Blumenthal says.
Depending on the calculations of the new equations, doctors can consider them LDL lowering treatments – Including lifestyle interventions, but also LDL-lowering medications, e.g Statins – If patients are considered to be at borderline risk (3-5 percent chance) of developing ASCVD within 10 years, it should be considered in cases of intermediate risk (5-10 percent risk).
The new guidelines also reintroduce new target levels for LDLs to guide lipid-lowering treatment, with researchers saying LDL-C goals should be less than 100 mg/dL for those at borderline or intermediate risk, and less than 70 mg/dL for those at high risk. In patients with ASCVD who are considered high-risk, the target is less than 55 mg/dL.
“In general, lower LDL is better, especially for people at increased risk of having a heart attack or stroke.” He says Cardiologist Pamela B. Morris from the Medical University of South Carolina.
” Clinical trials “It has clearly shown significant benefits for reducing cardiovascular events when LDL-C levels are lower than recommended in previous guidelines.”
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While statins are the primary medications used to lower LDL levels, the guidelines also include other medications, including: Those of time, Bempedoic acid, PCSK9 inhibitorsand com.inclisiran.
For patients, Updated advice It is eating healthy foods, understand that Lifestyle changes can lower your cholesteroland take action early by having regular checkups, among other suggestions.
In cases where your “bad” cholesterol levels are creeping up the wrong way despite your best intentions, this is where your doctors can help — and with these new guidelines in place, it could mean things change sooner rather than later.
Guidelines are published in Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
This article has been verified by Rebecca Dyer It was edited by Rebecca Dyer. While we take pride in our process, we are only human. If you discover an error, Please let us know.
