Young People Should Not Wait Until 40 to Check Cholesterol: Cardiologist

With heart disease increasingly affecting younger people in India, experts are stressing the importance of early cholesterol testing, healthy lifestyle habits and timely treatment.

Dr. S. Harikrishnan, Professor and Head of Cardiology at the Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology, said age alone should not determine whether a person needs statins, which are medicines used to lower cholesterol. Instead, doctors should consider an individual`s overall cardiovascular risk.

Risk Factors Determine Statin Use

A person in their 30s with high cholesterol may require statin treatment if they also have risk factors such as diabetes, high blood pressure, smoking or a family history of heart disease.

For patients at very high risk, particularly those who have suffered multiple heart attacks, doctors may set significantly lower LDL cholesterol targets. However, medication is not necessarily required for everyone with elevated cholesterol.

For example, people without major risk factors and with an LDL level of around 130 mg/dL may be able to manage their cholesterol through dietary changes and regular exercise.

Early Testing Is Important

Dr. Harikrishnan emphasised that people should not necessarily wait until the age of 40 for their first health check-up. Cardiovascular risk factors can develop much earlier, making timely screening important.

He also called for adequate testing facilities across regions to improve the early detection and management of cardiovascular risk.

Healthy Habits Should Begin Early

Experts recommend developing healthy habits from a young age. Maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly and avoiding smoking can help lower the risk of heart disease.

An unhealthy lifestyle, stress and poor eating patterns can also contribute to cardiovascular risk. Dr. Harikrishnan cautioned against skipping meals during the day and consuming excessive amounts of food at night, when the body`s energy requirements are generally lower.

Young Patients Often Question Long-Term Medication

Young patients prescribed statins often ask whether they need to continue the medication for life or whether they can stop after their cholesterol levels improve.

Dr. Harikrishnan explained that treatment depends on an individual`s lipid levels and overall risk. Once cholesterol reaches the target range, doctors may adjust the dosage when appropriate. However, patients should not stop statins without medical advice, as cholesterol levels can rise again and increase the risk of complications.

In selected patients, medication may eventually be reduced or discontinued under medical supervision, depending on their overall health and risk profile.

Early screening, healthy lifestyle changes anand appropriate medical care can play an important role in reducing the risk of heart disease among younger adults.