Finding the Balance in Lipid Management

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Om P. Ganda, MD, director, Lipid Clinic, Joslin Diabetes Center, discusses cholesterol and lipidemia as high risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD), where diabetes itself is a risk factor for CVD. Dr Ganda refutes the misconception that exposure to cholesterol complications begins for adults 40 years old or over; these complications, he points out, can begin at a very early age depending upon the individual. Individuals can face CVD in their early 20’s and 30’s due to the cumulative burden of cholesterol.

“We heard a lot of very good information about the critical role of lifestyle changes, dietary programs, exercise, and so forth in preventing the consequences of this degenerative disease that we call diabetes,” Dr Ganda said. “We also know that even if we look at data from children and adolescents…that [early atherosclerosis] begins even in teenage and early adulthood, both in men and in women.”

“That also gives you an inkling as to why pediatric societies are very concerned that some of these young people should be doing something about not only lifestyle changes but perhaps [trying] other ways to reduce their cholesterol levels.”

Dr Ganda believes thatwhen it comes to both CVD and diabetes, cholesterol levels are an important factor to consider when creating patient care guidelines.