High cholesterol can affect anyone, at any age. When it comes to protecting yourself against future health problems, knowledge is power.
We tend to think of high cholesterol and its many negative health impacts as something that afflicts older people. The truth is, anyone, of any age, can have unhealthy levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) — otherwise known as “bad” cholesterol.
According to the American Heart Association, between 2017 and 2020, 86.4 million adults in the United States had either high cholesterol (defined as a total cholesterol level over 200 mg/dL) or were on the cusp of the condition. And kids aren’t immune: Between 2009 and 2016, close to 20% of adolescents had higher than healthy cholesterol levels. There is often a genetic component to high cholesterol, so even young people with healthy lifestyles can find themselves dealing with the condition.
A silent threat
Because there are typically no symptoms associated with high cholesterol, blood tests to ascertain cholesterol levels (called lipid panels) are of vital importance. High cholesterol is a progressive condition that worsens over time, silently increasing your risk.
The good news is that getting a lipid panel is faster and easier than you might imagine.
Early and often
Lipid panels are officially not just for older folks: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that children be tested once between the ages of 9 and 11, and again between the ages of 17 and 21. Healthy adults should have their lipids tested every 4-6 years.
There’s one very good reason for these recommendations: Early testing reveals high cholesterol levels sooner, giving patients the chance to advocate for their own health and treat the problem before it progresses into a life-threatening condition. LDL cholesterol can cause a sticky residue called plaque to build up in arteries, shrinking blood flow and potentially leading to cardiovascular health problems like heart disease, stroke, and heart attacks. There is evidence that once cholesterol has caused arteries to clog with plaque, interventions are less effective than if the condition is treated earlier.
Fast and easy
A lipid panel test is a remarkable and easy blood test to conduct. Using a rapid point-of-care testing device like Abbott’s Cholestech LDX™ system, for example, a physician can get accurate cholesterol levels right in their office.
Bob Kunkler
Vice-President; Toxicology, Cardiometabolic, and Consumer Products Businesses; Abbott
“At Abbott, our focus is empowering people to take control of their health by making healthcare more accessible and convenient. One example of this in action is the Cholestech LDX™ point-of-care lipid testing system, which provides patients with lab-accurate cholesterol results in five minutes from one simple fingerstick. This means results are available and treatment decisions can be made during the visit, saving patients the time and expense of a separate trip to the lab, and delayed or even lost follow-up with their care provider.”
Because results are immediate with the Cholestech LDX™ System, healthcare providers can work with patients to develop personalized action plans during the same visit. This not only improves access to care, but encourages patients to modify their behaviors and make informed decisions about their health, such as managing cholesterol levels and planning future testing, ultimately empowering them to be proactive about living a longer, healthier life.
Your heart health matters. Know your numbers. Click to learn more.
