This World Heart Day: How Personalized Medicine is Shaping the Future of Bad Cholesterol Treatment

Bhubaneswar – As World Heart Dayapproaches, it’s a great time to examine how personalized medicine istransforming the landscape of heart care.For decades, cholesterol management was limited toachieving a “good” level and avoiding a “bad” one. But today, the conversation is evolving.
The future of cholesterol treatment lies not just in managing numbers, but in managing risk with precision.Customization provides us with a better understanding of our individual healthrequirements by considering the unique needs of people and the background of each individual to treat or avoid heart risks. Itcombines smarter diagnostics, tailored therapies, and doctor-patient communication.
India’s heart health story makes this shift even more urgent. Compared to the West, Indians face cardiovascular risks nearly ten years earlier, often in the prime of their working lives.Globally, CVDscontinue to be the leading cause of death, and in India alone, CVDs were responsible for 4.77 million deaths in 2020.Traditional one-size-fits-all approachesmiss the nuances of our risk profile.
Regular monitoring is the most important component of personalized medicine and treating high LDLC in general. The early stages of a condition are always easy to treat, so it’s recommended to get tested from the age of 18.It’s important to note that every individual has a unique target LDLC level, which is decided basis overall health, family history, and existing risk factors. For instance, those with severe conditions like heart disease or diabetes are often recommended to aim for LDLC levels below 55 mg/dL.Regular cholesterol screenings are essential as cholesterol levels are not static, but they can change over time depending on lifestyle, diet, medication, or the progression of other health conditions, and so can the targets.
Understanding these test results helps determine the next steps for your heart health. Based on your risk factors, your doctor will help set individualized LDLC targets. Together, you and your doctor can develop a treatment plan, which may include various lifestyle changes and medications. The objective is to manage the LDLC in the required range.
Dr. Anupam Jena, Associate Professor of Cardiology, KIMS, Bhubaneswar says, “Elevated LDL cholesterol is the most significant modifiable risk factor for coronary artery disease, which remains the leading cause of death in India. While age and genetics cannot be changed, LDLC can be effectively reduced with appropriate interventions. Personalized medicine considers family history, comorbidities, lifestyle, and genetic predisposition before setting LDL targets. Therapies can be combined in different ways to achieve the required outcome. Personalized care emphasizes shared decision-making, and patients are involved in treatment discussions to address fears and improve adherence. This approach reduces drop-out rates, as patients feel ownership of their care.”
One of the most common reasons patients stop taking cholesterol-lowering medication is fear of side effects, particularly muscle pain.Such concerns are important to discuss with the doctor.Many people tolerate these medicines well, and those who do experience discomfort can often find relief through dose adjustments, alternative prescriptions, or combination therapies.The CSI guidelinesconfirmthe safety of medicine and modifications for those experiencing side effects.By tailoring the approach to the individual, doctors can ensure that patients do not abandon treatment out of frustration.
Combination therapy, which uses a mix of medications, or more advanced therapy such as PCKS9 or Inclisiran, can be prescribed if the traditional medicines do not provide adequate results. Personalized care allows doctors to adjust treatments based on how the patient responds, thereby improving results.
India faces additional challengeson top of high LDLC, which is low HDL cholesterolalso known as good cholesterol. This is affecting up to 66.9% of adults, which aggravates heart risk further.Also,about 25% of Indians,much higher than Western populations (15–20%), carry high Lp(a). LP(a) is a genetic marker that significantly increases the risk of heart attack and atherosclerosis. An active lifestyle can help boost HDL cholesterol. But when managing heart risks, focusing on LDLC should be the primary objective.
Specific exercises can be curated according to the patient’s physical capacity, preferences, and goals. Also, dietary recommendations can be tailored based on genetic and metabolic factors.For someone already fit, it might mean structured cardio or strength training. For another with joint problems or a busy work schedule, it might mean daily walks, yoga, or simple stretching routines. Similarly, dietary advice must be rooted in cultural and personal reality. The recommended diet shouldtake into account metabolic factors, and local food preferences can be emphasized. That way, people are more likely to follow through and see lasting benefits. On this World Heart Day, it is important to recognize that the prevention of heart risks now meets the precision of therapy.