News Health & Medicine

Start cholesterol tests in childhood, new guidelines say

The new recommendations are proactive, thanks to a tool estimating long-term heart disease risk

An embroidered heart is shown against a light blue background. The heart is centered in the image and is made of threads with various colors, mostly reds, pinks and purples. The arteries leading away from the heart are shades of red and the veins carrying blood to the heart are purple and pink.
New guidelines from medical groups including the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiologists emphasize early testing and treatment to keep cholesterol levels low and reduce the long-term heart disease risk.

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By Erin Garcia de Jesús

New heart health recommendations emphasize early testing and treatment to lower cholesterol levels as key to reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease.