lipid.siteYour guide
Let's start where most people start: how worried should you be? The honest answer depends on two things, and this room shows both.
Room 1 · The Time Gallery
How worried should I be?
About 2 minutes
Guess first
What builds plaque more: how high your LDL is, or how long it has been high?
Stay at 168 Lower to 70 now Your years so far LDL-C of 100 all along
Stay where I am
Reaches the band
about 45
12,080 LDL-years by 80
Lower to 70 now
Reaches the band
about 45
8,748 LDL-years by 80, 28% less than staying
Lower to 70 in 10 years
Reaches the band
about 45
9,728 LDL-years by 80, 19% less than staying
Waiting 10 years gives up about 29% of the benefit of starting now.
Using a sample visitor. "LDL-years" multiplies LDL-C by years to keep a running total of exposure. The chart assumes LDL-C of about 100 as a child, then about today's level from age 20 on. Heart disease tends to appear around the band, about 6,200 mg/dL-years (160 mmol/L-years) (European Atherosclerosis Society, Nordestgaard et al., Eur Heart J 2013). The chart and artery illustrate the idea. Your own arteries can differ.
Make your guess to turn on the lights