High cholesterol is often viewed as a grown-up’s disease. It is most commonly diagnosed in people between the ages of 40 and 59 and is less observed in young individuals. This is because as we age, our metabolism tends to slow down, making it more challenging for the body to effectively regulate cholesterol levels. In addition, our lifestyle choices and stress levels, which are higher during middle age, contribute to elevated cholesterol levels.
However, as surprising as it may sound, young people too can develop high cholesterol. In fact, a study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC) reported that 26.3 million US young adults between the ages of 18 and 39 had borderline high or high Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in 2021.
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Speaking with the OnlyMyHealth team, Dr Priyam Mukherjee, Consultant Cardiology, Fortis Hospital, Anandapur, sheds light on the causes that lead to elevated cholesterol levels in young people and provides tips to reduce the risk.
What Is The Normal Range Of Cholesterol?
There are two main types of cholesterol: Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. While it is advisable to have low amounts of LDL cholesterol as it is “bad” for your heart health, increased HDL cholesterol can improve your heart functions.
In general, your total cholesterol levels should be under 200 mg/dL, whereas your LDL should be below 100 mg/dL and your HDL should be above 60 mg/dL for men and 50 mg/dL for women.
High LDL can clog arteries, raising your risk of heart disease, while HDL helps remove LDL.
What Puts Young People At Risk of High Cholesterol
While middle-aged and older adults are at a greater risk of developing high cholesterol, young people in their 20s and 30s can get it too.
Dr Mukherjee mainly attributes it to genetics but suggests that lifestyle changes may also have a role to play in it.
"Young people are usually involved in the intake of junk food, particularly teenagers or young adults who are becoming obese. Two or three decades ago, the cholesterol problem was with the elderly population in the age group of 40–50. But now this age group has shifted to 20–30," she says.
Some of the factors that put young adults at risk include:
- A family history of high cholesterol
- A diet high in trans fats and saturated fats
- A sedentary lifestyle
- Obesity
- Smoking
- Excessive alcohol consumption
Heart Disease Risk
High levels of LDL cholesterol are associated with an increased risk of heart disease and stroke.
In general, high cholesterol is a silent killer that shows no symptoms at first. But it gets accumulated over the cardiac arteries and can ultimately lead to a sudden heart attack, explains Dr Mukherjee.
What's even more concerning is that the younger you are when you have high cholesterol, the greater your risk of developing a heart disease, according to a study published in the JACC.
Researchers followed young adults for over a decade to see how their LDL cholesterol levels affected their risk of heart disease later in life and found that not only did higher LDL cholesterol levels increase their risk, but also the earlier someone had high it, the greater was their risk.
Tips To Manage Cholesterol
Sharing some tips to manage cholesterol levels, Dr Mukherjee lists:
- Regular monitoring of the cholesterol level
- Eating a healthy diet rich in vegetables, fruits, and whole grains
- Exercising
- Avoiding red meat or a high intake of prawns and lobster
- Minimising smoking
- Cutting back on alcohol consumption
In cases of severe and unmanageable cholesterol levels, doctors may prescribe a few medications, says Dr Mukherjee.
Conclusion
High cholesterol not only affects middle-aged and older people but also impacts the younger population. Several factors, such as sedentary lifestyles, unhealthy dietary habits, and genetic predispositions, contribute to elevated cholesterol levels among youth. If left unaddressed, it can lead to a higher risk of Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs) later in life, including heart attacks and strokes. Therefore, one must take proactive measures, such as adopting healthier lifestyles, encouraging regular physical activity, and getting frequent cholesterol tests.