New Guidelines Urge Earlier Cholesterol Management

Medical organizations including the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association released updated guidelines on Friday urging adults as young as 30 to begin cholesterol management earlier to lower the lifetime risk of heart attacks and strokes. The 123-page document, developed with nine other professional groups, emphasizes proactive treatment for high low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, known as LDL or "bad" cholesterol, through lifestyle changes and medications like statins.

The guidelines recommend statin therapy alongside diet and exercise for individuals aged 30 and older with LDL levels of 160 milligrams per deciliter or higher, a strong family history of premature heart disease, or an elevated 30-year cardiovascular risk. This marks a shift from prior focus on 10-year risk assessments, which often underestimate threats for younger adults. Clinicians should now use the American Heart Association's PREVENT calculator to evaluate both 10-year and 30-year risks for people aged 30 to 79. Risk categories range from low under 3 percent over 10 years to high at 10 percent or more, guiding treatment intensity.

For those at borderline or intermediate risk...