Research presented to the American College of Cardiology’s 61st Annual Scientific Session has found that by the time most people begin treatment to lower their cholesterol, coronary heart disease has already been developing for many years.
Coronary atherosclerosis, a hardening and narrowing of the arteries due to a build-up of fat and cholesterol, begins early in life and the risk of further coronary heart disease can be lowered by treating the condition early. High levels of ‘bad’ cholesterol, known as low-density lipoprotein (LDL), increase the risk of heart disease and will normally be treated with a statin at a late stage, although the new evidence has found that diet and exercise early in life will be equally as effective at lowering LDL and reducing the risk of heart disease.
The benefit of lowering LDL levels early appears clear – coronary heart disease is the leading cause of death and disability worldwide and a great proportion of healthcare budgets the world over are spent in controlling this condition; by lowering cholesterol before symptoms begin this burden can be dramatically reduced.
For further information on lowering your cholesterol and for a kit to test your cholesterol levels please contact us.
