Prevention means early identification. Are we preventing too late?

You know  you need to care for your heart as you age, but what about when you’re younger?

The Journal of the American College of Cardiology’s journal recently published an interesting letter revealing a strong correlation between high cholesterol and elevated blood pressure in younger adults and future heart disease events.

The article shows that you could have a 64% increase in your heart disease risk later in life if you have “bad” LDL cholesterol of 100 or higher when you’re under 40. Blood pressure over normal readings could have a similar impact.

I’m sure it’s not surprising that at an early life elevated cholesterol and blood pressure would be associated with increased risk of future heart disease. But it’s an important reminder of why you shouldn’t wait to be taking care of your heart. 

And the article is unique in pinpointing a few interesting points in evaluating and dealing with abnormal blood pressure and cholesterol in youngsters.

1. We know the blood pressure guidelines lately according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is being less than 120/80. Interestingly, the study shows the correlation of elevated Diastolic blood pressure in young people and later heart disease events. This raises the issue of watching and monitoring the diastolic blood pressure (which means increased vascular resistance) as a very important factor in youngsters . A Diastolic BP less than 70 is ideal. Different medications and drug regimen are shown to be beneficial in decreasing the diastolic blood pressure versus the systolic blood pressure in elderly

2. This study confirms that having a “bad “cholesterol more than 100 would be associated with a 64% increase of heart disease events even later in life. This emphasizes the approach of checking and not ignoring the young adults cholesterol level during normal physicals. if elevated cholesterol level is found, then lifestyle changes as well as medications would be a good approach for prevention.

The earlier we start taking care of our hearts, the better off we are. In Barrington, Ill., “The healthy hearts club” is a great a high school student initiative and community effort to initiate the education necessary about blood pressure and cholesterol level in young people.

“Healthy Hearts “is a group of high school students who promote blood pressure screening , early recognition of hypertension in youth and healthy eating tips to control blood pressure .

Daniel Staicu , Nickolas Cocciemiglio, Veronica Stefanescu, Patrick Staicu, Shane Burton