Cholesterol is a type of fat that can be produced directly by the body, precisely in the liver, or obtained from the food we consume. Basically, cholesterol plays an important role in maintaining bodily functions. There are 2 types of cholesterol in the body, namely HDL (high-density lipoprotein) and LDL (low-density lipoprotein).

LDL is a type of “bad” cholesterol in the body, because excessive accumulation of this type of fat can cause disruption of blood circulation and increase the risk of heart related diseases. In contrast, HDL is a “good” type of cholesterol because it can help reduce LDL levels in the body. There are several factors that can increase LDL levels in the body, such as diet, lifestyle, obesity, smoking habits, and alcohol consumption.

Not only in older people, ‘bad’ cholesterol can also affect teenagers or young adults. Routine examinations to determine the level of ‘bad’ cholesterol in the body is highly recommended. In the results of a recent study published in The Lancet journal, researchers found that cholesterol levels in youth can determine the risk of future cardiovascular disease.

By analysing the data of 398,846 participants from 38 previous studies, the researchers found that the risk of heart disease and stroke would decrease if LDL levels fell. While the highest risk is found in those who were younger than 45 years old. Researchers assume this is caused by prolonged exposure to ‘bad’ fats in the blood. Men and women younger than 45 years old with LDL levels of 3.7-4.8 mml / L have a 16% and 29% higher risk of heart disease and stroke in the future. While those aged 60 years and over, have a risk of 12-21% for both women and men. The researchers also found a significant reduction in risk if they were able to reduce their LDL levels by half.

Text by Anggie Triana
Stock photos from Google Search Images

Source(s):

• Brunner, F.J., Waldeye, C., Ojeda, F., et al (2019). Application of non-HDL cholesterol for population-based cardiovascular risk stratification: results from the Multinational Cardivascular Risk Consortium. The Lancet, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(19)32519-X.
• Medical News Today - Cholesterol levels in young adults can predict heart disease risk (2019). https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/327315.php#1, 30 December 2019.