High cholesterol isn’t just for middle age. A recent set of guidelines suggests that people can start taking statins as early as age 30 if they’re at higher risk. Children should also begin cholesterol screening between ages 9 to 11.
The new guidelines focus on identifying people’s risk for high blood lipid levels, which can lead to cardiovascular disease. They divide populations into four risk groups: low, borderline, intermediate, and high. Low-risk individuals have less than a 3% chance of developing cardiovascular disease over 10 years, while those in the high-risk group face a 10% or higher risk.
Several factors contribute to high LDL levels, including family history, obesity, and certain health conditions. Lipoprotein(a), apolipoprotein B, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein are also associated with increased inflammation and plaque buildup.
The guidelines recommend individualized treatment plans based on each person’s risk category. Strict LDL thresholds apply depending on the risk group: 100 or less for medium-risk individuals, 70 or less for high-risk individuals, and 55 or less for those at very high risk.
A new online calculator called PREVENT can help doctors estimate a patient’s 10-year cardiovascular disease risk using existing health information. For those who need lipid-lowering therapy, the American Heart Association’s “Life’s Essential Eight” checklist offers simpler ways to reduce cardiac risk through lifestyle changes.
These new guidelines aim to provide more precise and accurate predictions of cardiovascular disease risk, enabling doctors to intervene earlier with treatment if necessary. The ultimate goal is to prevent heart disease by identifying and addressing underlying factors before they become a major issue.
Source: https://time.com/article/2026/03/18/new-heart-health-guidelines-cholesterol