Study: Even Slightly High Cholesterol Levels Increase Risk Of Heart Disease
DETROIT (WWJ) -- If you have high cholesterol in your 30s and 40s it turns out that increased risk of heart disease later in life, according to a new study.
Researchers from Duke University say that even slightly high cholesterol levels in otherwise healthy adults between the ages of 35 and 55 can have long-term impacts on their heart. Every decade of high cholesterol increases the chances of heart disease by about 40 percent.
Wayne State University cardiologist Joel Kahn said that high cholesterol is usually a result of lifestyle.
"Very little of it is genetic. it's sitting too much, eating too many processed foods," Kahn said. "Every meal should have brightly colored fruits and vegetables."
The researchers say younger adults should work on diet and exercise first, but if that alone isn't working they may benefit from taking medication earlier in life.