30 or older? Major heart orgs now recommend you get this screening test
USA TODAY
New guidelines aim to lower LDL, or \
Doctors should begin screening for heart disease and treating people for high cholesterol levels even younger than before, according to new recommendations from major medical organizations.
The American Heart Association, the American College of Cardiology and nine other leading medical associations jointly issued the updated guidelines, which were published in the journals JACC and Circulation on March 13.
While healthy lifestyle intervention and average cholesterol screening should start in childhood, the updated guidelines now recommend an additional screening test and accelerated treatment plan for those as young as 30.
Lipoprotein (a), or Lp(a), should be measured at least once in adulthood, the new guidelines state, as it is a genetic marker of heart disease risk. The higher the number, the more increased long-term risk of heart attack or stroke. Lp(a) and cholesterol levels are screened via a blood sample.
Additionally, the new guidelines recommend medicinal intervention for lowering LDL, or "bad" cholesterol, starting as young as 30 when behavior and diet changes aren't enough.
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