Does high cholesterol and high blood pressure before age 55 increase the risk of heart disease later in life?

Cardiovascular risk factors in early and mid-adulthood can significantly influence long-term heart disease outcomes. In this episode, we examine how elevated LDL cholesterol and hypertension before 55 affect future cardiovascular risk in European populations.

In this episode, we cover:

• What high cholesterol means (elevated LDL contributing to atherosclerosis)

• What high blood pressure is (persistent elevation of arterial pressure)

• How early vascular damage develops over time

• Long-term risk of coronary artery disease, stroke, and heart failure

• European cardiovascular risk assessment tools (e.g., SCORE2)

• When lifestyle modification may be recommended

• Whe ...