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Study: Young adults need cholesterol testing, too

Category: Heart Health and Cholesterol

Many young adults who are free from obvious signs of poor health avoid going to the doctor for check-ups because they feel it is unnecessary. However, experts warn that these individuals can still benefit from cholesterol testing to determine their risk for cardiovascular disease.

Common risk factors for heart disease - like elevated blood pressure and high cholesterol - can slowly build up over time without being noticed.

A recent survey conducted by researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that fewer than 50 percent of adults between the ages of 20 and 35 seek cholesterol testing. The numbers were the same whether or not individuals had risk factors for heart disease, like smoking or obesity.

"This is worrisome," Elena Kuklina, who led the study, told the Los Angeles Times. "Not only do a lot of young adults have [coronary heart disease] or its equivalents, but a large majority have high cholesterol too."

The study recommended that all individuals in the age group - especially those who have one or more risk factors for heart disease - seek cholesterol testing to determine their chance of developing the condition.