A recent genetic study has found that high blood pressure and high LDL cholesterol, even at a younger age, can increase the risk of developing coronary heart disease later in life. The study highlights the need for managing these risk factors throughout a lifetime, including at younger ages.
The study, published in the journal PLOS ONE, used a method called Mendelian randomization, which compares individuals with genetic predispositions to higher or lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels. The results showed that having a genetic predisposition to higher LDL cholesterol and blood pressure before age 55 increases the likelihood of developing coronary heart disease later on.
The findings suggest that high blood pressure and high LDL cholesterol have lasting effects on a person's future risk of coronary heart disease. It also supports the need for earlier treatment of these risk factors, as well as ongoing treatment for older adults.
While medications are available to manage blood pressure and cholesterol, lifestyle changes such as maintaining a healthy diet and engaging in regular physical activity can also help reduce the risk of developing coronary artery disease.
It is important to note that the results of this study differ from a previous study that found high blood pressure and LDL cholesterol may not be related to a greater risk of coronary heart disease in older ages. However, the authors of the new study suggest that old age alone should not be a reason to withhold appropriate treatments for these risk factors.
The study's findings emphasize the importance of controlling blood pressure and LDL cholesterol levels early in life. Even individuals with a genetic predisposition to lower blood pressure or cholesterol can benefit from managing these risk factors. Delaying aggressive management of LDL cholesterol and blood pressure in younger patients may allow a cumulative disease process to take hold, making it difficult to reverse.
Committees that write clinical treatment guidelines should reconsider whether blood pressure or cholesterol-lowering medications may be appropriate for younger adults. Currently, these drugs are mainly reserved for people with immediate high risk of coronary artery disease, overlooking the lasting harm of exposure to high blood pressure or LDL cholesterol earlier in life.
It is crucial for individuals, regardless of age, to maintain a healthy lifestyle and manage their blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Lifestyle changes and appropriate treatments can help reduce the risk of developing coronary artery disease and improve overall cardiovascular health.