Answer: b
Identifying young adults at
risk could inform patient-provider discussion about the potential benefits of
preventive lipid-lowering efforts during early midlife.
The findings suggest that most young adults with high non-HDL-C continue to have it during their life course, significantly increasing their CVD risk. Early lipid monitoring before age 40 years would identify most young adults who have a high likelihood for lifetime elevation of lipids and high long-term CVD risk. Using conventional algorithms that emphasize age, very few would be at sufficiently high risk to qualify for statin therapy. However, for every 8 people treated with statin therapy in the high non-HDL group in this study, 1 cardiovascular event would be prevented (number needed to treat=8). Intensive lifestyle changes can lower triglycerides and LDL-C in most young adults with elevated non-HDL-C, thereby lowering CVD risks. If these are ineffective, clinicians should consider statins, icosapent ethyl, or other pharmacotherapy as primary prevention, although there are no outcome data supporting this.
The findings suggest that most young adults with high non-HDL-C continue to have it during their life course, significantly increasing their CVD risk. Early lipid monitoring before age 40 years would identify most young adults who have a high likelihood for lifetime elevation of lipids and high long-term CVD risk. Using conventional algorithms that emphasize age, very few would be at sufficiently high risk to qualify for statin therapy. However, for every 8 people treated with statin therapy in the high non-HDL group in this study, 1 cardiovascular event would be prevented (number needed to treat=8). Intensive lifestyle changes can lower triglycerides and LDL-C in most young adults with elevated non-HDL-C, thereby lowering CVD risks. If these are ineffective, clinicians should consider statins, icosapent ethyl, or other pharmacotherapy as primary prevention, although there are no outcome data supporting this.
