Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Level, Statin Use and Myocardial Infarction Risk in Young Adults

The consequences of blood lipid abnormalities for cardiovascular disease risk in young adults is unclear. Optimal lipid levels may also vary depending on whether a statin drug is taken. It aimed to determine whether the optimal lipid levels in young adults differ depending on statin use.

Using a nationally representative database from the Korean National Health Insurance System, 6,350,400 participants aged 20-39 years who underwent a health examination between 2009-2012 were followed through to 2018. The primary outcome was incident myocardial infarction (MI). We assessed the associations between prespecified lipid levels and MI risk according to statin use.

Among participants not taking statins, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels ≥120 mg/dL were significantly associated with MI risk (hazard ratio [HR], 1.33; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.27-1.40) compared with statin nonusers with LDL-C <80 mg/dL. Statin users with LDL-C categories <80, 80-100, 100-120, and ≥120 mg/dL all had significantly higher MI risk compared with statin nonusers with LDL-C <80 mg/dL; these HRs (95% CIs) were 1.66 (1.39-1.99), 1.68 (1.36-2.09), 1.63 (1.31-2.02), and 2.32 (2.07-2.60), respectively.

Young adults taking statins have an increased MI risk compared with statin nonusers, even when they have similar LDL-C levels. Specific lipid targets may need to differ depending on statin use.