People with an uncommon genetic variant that speeds the removal of low-density lipoprotein (LDL cholesterol) from the blood have significantly lower LDL cholesterol levels throughout their lives.

Recently published research has found that for those who carried the mutation, LDL cholesterol levels were 15 to 28 percent lower than those who did not.

Over a 15-year follow-up period the rate of developing coronary heart disease was remarkably less in those with the lower LDL cholesterol levels.

Virtually all of the information we have about the benefits of lowering LDL cholesterol has come from relatively short-term studies, generally lasting about five years, in which drugs were used to reduce high levels of LDL cholesterol in middle-aged or older people, most of whom already have significant amounts of atherosclerotic plaques in their arteries.

This new study shows that how long one maintains lower LDL cholesterol levels may be just as important as how low they are. The take-home lesson from these results is that beginning efforts to lower one's LDL cholesterol at an early age and continuing them for life, yield the greatest heart health benefits.

Lifestyle measures, such as limiting saturated fat in the diet and engaging in regular exercise, may work for many people, but those with particularly high LDL cholesterol levels may benefit from starting drug treatment at a much earlier age than is now standard practice.