Hi,
I asked my PCP doctor if I could have my cholesterol checked and to have a one-time Lp(a) screening. He said okay to the cholesterol and no to the Lp(a) because it’s something that he only does if someone has a family history or their other labs are off. In regards to the cholesterol screening, he said that an elevated LDL would not warrant any follow up in someone like me, i.e. 30-year-old male and otherwise healthy. He said that a young person’s body is able to compensate for elevated LDL and prevent plaque buildup. He asserted that an elevated cholesterol in someone like me would not affect my 10-year risk, nor would it affect my 20- or 30-year risks.
This is news to me. From listening to the BBM podcast, I understand that elevated LDL, and BP, do increase long-term risk of atherosclerosis because of the cumulative nature of these risk factors. It’s news to me that a young person’s body has some immunity to the cumulative burden of elevated LDL. What do you all make of this notion?
-Clint
P.S. As I told my PCP, I am particularly motivated to lower my risk of atherosclerosis because I am currently in the midst of caring for my mom and dad who have dementia and debilitating cognitive impairment due to CADASILs respectively.