The rationale for initiating treatment of hypercholesterolemia in young adulthood.

Even though it has been recognized for some time that the lesions of atherosclerosis begin in childhood, there has been reluctance to recommend intervention, especially intervention with drugs, before the age of 50 years. Recent evidence, particularly evidence from human genetics, has greatly strengthened the case for earlier intervention to correct hypercholesterolemia and other risk factors. This report briefly reviews some of the emerging lines of evidence that are helping us reach a consensus on when and how we should intervene.