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High cholestrol 22 years old
I am a 22 year old female and recently had a blood test which showed I have 7.7 cholesterol. My BMI is 20.4, don't smoke and am otherwise healthy. How serious is this and what risk am I under? Is it possible that I have had this all my life without knowing, and would the damage irreversible? Thanks
Sorry just one more question.. my doctor prescribed 20mg of simvastatin as I am to begin a course of isotretinoin for acne, I am concerned that I will not be able to go off the statin once started.. is this a possibility? As I have heard that once you start on cholesterol medication it is lifelong.
Thanks very much
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Cholesterol goals, and specifically LDL goals are based on risk factors (age, smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes, known coronary artery disease to name a few). A young person with no risk factors, goal LDL is currently less then 160 mg/dl. These goals change as your risk factors do. Cholesterol levels are dependent on genetics (urnmodifiable) as well as diet and exercise (both extremely modifiable).
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