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An Australian researcher is urging for a shift in approach towards cholesterol screening, emphasizing the importance of early interventions to prevent premature heart disease. The latest findings from researchers at the Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, published in JAMA, suggest that addressing high levels of “bad” cholesterol (non-HDL-cholesterol) during childhood and young adulthood may significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease later in life.
Senior author Associate Professor Costan Magnussen highlights the silent yet potentially lethal nature of dyslipidemia—a lipid metabolism disorder characterized by abnormal cholesterol levels—in children. Dyslipidemia, which includes elevated levels of LDL-cholesterol and triglycerides, contributes to arterial plaque buildup, increasing the risk of heart disease.
According to Associate Professor Magnussen, the existing evidence strongly indicates that cardiovascular disease begins early in life, underscoring the need for early screening and preventive measures. Recent research, including insights from the International Childhood Cardiovascular Cohort Consortium, has linked childhood risk factors like high cholesterol to fatal and non-fatal cardiovascular events in adulthood.
The study, which tracked over 5,100 individuals in the U.S. and Finland over the long term, suggests a critical window of opportunity before mid-adulthood for effective interventions to mitigate the adverse effects of dyslipidemia on heart disease risk.
While lipid screening in childhood remains a subject of debate, Associate Professor Magnussen advocates for initiating conversations about addressing elevated cholesterol levels earlier in life. He emphasizes lifestyle interventions as a key strategy, citing previous research that demonstrated the efficacy of dietary counseling in reducing bad cholesterol levels over two decades.
While statin use may be suitable for individuals with a genetic predisposition, Associate Professor Magnussen suggests that lifestyle interventions should be the primary focus for most individuals with elevated cholesterol levels.
“Dyslipidemia in children differs from familial hypercholesterolemia, which is caused by single gene mutations,” explains Associate Professor Magnussen. “Early identification and intervention during childhood, adolescence, and young adulthood can help prevent heart attacks and strokes later in life.”
As discussions around population-wide lipid screening for children gain momentum, Associate Professor Magnussen stresses the importance of raising awareness about dyslipidemia and promoting lifestyle interventions to safeguard heart health from an early age.
The study’s publication marks a significant step forward in understanding the role of cholesterol screening and intervention in preventing cardiovascular disease, paving the way for a more proactive approach to heart health management across the lifespan.
