![High cholesterol levels and high blood pressure are particularly risky under the age of 55](https://tipsforwomens.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/High-cholesterol-levels-and-high-blood-pressure-are-particularly-risky.jpeg)
Anyone under the age of 55 who has high cholesterol levels and high blood pressure is at a significantly increased risk of coronary heart disease. This applies even if cholesterol and blood pressure levels return to normal later in life.
A new study involving experts from Imperial College London examined whether genetically mediated elevated systolic blood pressure and elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol throughout life are associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease. The results were published in the specialist magazine “PLoS ONE”.
Data from the UK Biobank evaluated
For their study, the researchers used data from the UK Biobank on the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDC cholesterol) values of 136,648 people. Data from 135,431 people with elevated systolic blood pressure and 24,052 people with coronary heart disease were also taken into account.
According to the team, the evaluation showed a consistent connection between higher systolic blood pressure values and increased LDL cholesterol levels with an increased risk of developing coronary heart disease in people up to 55 years of age, up to 60 years of age and also up to 65 years of age.
Risk permanently increased
It was also shown that elevated levels of LDL cholesterol and systolic blood pressure under the age of 55 were associated with a permanently increased risk of coronary heart disease, even if these values normalized later in life in those affected, the researchers explain.
If there were elevated levels of LDL cholesterol and systolic blood pressure in the early to middle years of life, the risk of coronary heart disease increased later in life, regardless of cholesterol and systolic blood pressure levels, according to the experts.
Take countermeasures early
In summary, it can be said that high cholesterol levels and high blood pressure are particularly disadvantageous under the age of 55 and should definitely be avoided or treated immediately if you want to prevent an increased risk of coronary heart disease for the rest of your life. (as)