Chasing Life How Early Should You Check Your Cholesterol?
25 snips
Mar 24, 2026 A clear look at new cholesterol screening timing and why recommendations now consider longer-term risk. Practical guidance on who might meet LDL thresholds and when treatment may start. A quick tour of lipoprotein(a) and its genetic role in risk. A candid talk about common and rare statin side effects and how long treatment often continues.
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Begin Cholesterol Screening In Childhood
- Do start cholesterol screening earlier, not later.
- Check first between ages 9 and 11, again at 19, every five years thereafter, and calculate 30-year or lifetime risk at age 30 using the PREVENT calculator.
Think Beyond 10 Year Risk
- Reframe risk from a 10-year outlook to long-term exposure.
- The guidelines emphasize 30-year or lifetime risk because prolonged exposure to high LDL allows plaque to build up even if 10-year risk is low.
Age Alone Doesn’t Mandate Statins
- Do not assume turning 30 automatically means start a statin.
- Use LDL thresholds (≥160), family history of premature heart disease, and high long-term risk to guide medication decisions rather than age alone.