Teams of scientists, including researchers from the University of Maryland School of Medicine in the USA, have found in a study of 5,000 participants aged between 18 and 30 years, which began 35 years ago, that cholesterol levels increased at this age can lead to cardiovascular disease later in life. Although individual characteristics and environmental factors also shape the later risk in middle age, the lifestyle of those affected in the future is also decisive for later irreversible and cumulative damage. According to this, an elevated LDL cholesterol level in young adulthood is characteristic for the possible development of heart diseases such as heart attack or stroke. The risk is thereby in addition, dependent on the duration of the increased values of the unhealthy Cholesterins (Low-density Lipoprotein, briefly LDL) as well as on the temporal process of the increase. Because longer increased values of the unhealthy type are dangerous according to researchers already in recent years. Even if the test persons could lower their Cholesterinwerte before the 30th year of life, the risk remained at middle age further increased. The scientists guess therefore to regular Cholesterin screenings, in order to uncover the danger promptly. Exercise and sporting activity, but also a normal body weight (normal BMI) and a healthy diet as variables of a healthy lifestyle help to intervene in time. Saturated animal fats should be avoided as far as possible. If all this does not help to lower the unhealthy cholesterol level, drugs such as statins also support the therapy. In further studies, it is now necessary to determine which measures must be taken in young adults with a higher probability of cardiovascular events.
