J Am Coll Cardiol December 2012 PMID 23083789

Effect of long-term exposure to lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol beginning early in life on the risk of coronary heart disease: a Mendelian randomization analysis.

Brian A Ference, Wonsuk Yoo, Issa Alesh, Nitin Mahajan, Karolina K Mirowska, Abhishek Mewada, Joel Kahn, Luis Afonso, Kim Allan Williams, John M Flack

Mentions

76
Peak: 4 in Mar 2023
across 6 sources since Jul 2020

Extended reach

667,015
potential audience

Total likes

4,517

Video views

136,853

Mentions per month

Jul 2020 – Nov 2025

Where it's discussed

  • X / Twitter42 posts
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  • YouTube2 videos
  • Reddit2 posts

AI synopsis

What people are saying

Overall, discussions exhibit enthusiastic support and deep engagement, with examples like references to 'genetic studies,' 'causal relationships,' and specific data points such as '54.5% decrease in CVD per 1mmol/l,' demonstrating a detailed understanding of the research's significance and potential impact on cardiovascular disease prevention strategies.

AgreementStrong agreement

Most discussions strongly support the study, emphasizing its validity and confirming the causal link between LDL cholesterol and heart disease.

InterestHigh interest

The comments demonstrate high curiosity, with many users referencing detailed scientific concepts and studies, indicating active engagement with the research.

EngagementHigh engagement

Participants cite specific aspects of the study, such as Mendelian randomization and genetic polymorphisms, reflecting a deep understanding and detailed discussion.

ImpactHigh impact

The discussions highlight significant implications of the research, advocating for early LDL management and referencing key studies, suggesting the findings could influence medical practice and public health policies.

Abstract in brief

  • The study used genetic data (Mendelian randomization) to show that long-term exposure to lower LDL cholesterol starting early in life significantly reduces the risk of coronary heart disease, more so than just lowering LDL later with treatment.
  • The findings indicate that for each decrease of 1 mmol/L in LDL cholesterol, the risk of heart disease drops by about 54.5%, which is three times the benefit seen with statin therapy initiated later in life.
  • Overall, the research suggests that maintaining lower LDL cholesterol levels throughout early life could be much more effective in preventing heart disease than focusing only on reducing LDL later on.]

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Crémieux
@cremieuxrecueil · X

Source: https://t.co/d3eWKyWJ4O https://t.co/GFRkDuVIv0 https://t.co/5jLWnu5lBU

Jun 15, 2025 · 20 likes · 1 share · 280,130 followers View post →
Michael Albert, MD
@MichaelAlbertMD · X

9/ While you may be unimpressed by the ARD, several elegant studies demonstrate the value of LDL-c lowering on risk reduction as related to the absolute decrease over time (LDL-yrs), giving birth to the concept: "lower for longer." ↪️SO THERE'S NUANCE!

Apr 6, 2024 · 7 likes · 16,156 followers View post →
Mike Hart, M.D
@drmikehart · X

3. I'm limiting my saturated fat to 7-10% of my calories because saturated fat causes high LDL, which is an independent risk factor for heart disease. https://t.co/4817z3P4Eb

Jan 20, 2023 · 5 likes · 66,573 followers View post →
Dinos Stamoulis
@DinosStamoulis · X

@DrBrandonPettke Let’s be clear though…there is a direct link between the increased levels of LDL and your risk for heart disease. Prolonged exposure is not a good thing. https://t.co/OLlez5YW1R

Jul 27, 2023 · 5 likes · 149 followers View post →
Joel "Heart Prevention" Kahn MD, FACC
@drjkahn · X

I have participated in many research projects but I am really proud of this one. Widely quoted. #kahnchronicle https://t.co/R1Gs1JIdC1

Sep 19, 2020 · 4 likes · 1 share · 32,221 followers View post →
Mike Hart, M.D
@drmikehart · X

Mendelian randomization study

Nov 13, 2025 · 3 likes · 66,573 followers View post →

All mentions

Mike Hart, M.D
@drmikehart · X

Mendelian randomization study

Nov 13, 2025 · 3 likes · 66,573 followers View post →
Ozer Tayiz
@ozertayizx · X

@bakrantz @Mark_Sisson Mendellian randomization showing cholesterol causes cardiovascular disease: "The causal relationship between low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and coronary atherosclerosis is well established." https://t.co/MqsgmgBweV

Nov 3, 2025 · 414 followers View post →
Breno Santos
@Brepoiughfhjkl · X

@TylerDurne62894 @fiscaldofim Se você não tem nenhuma crítica válida contra o artigo, é só dizer. Aliás, ele é corroborado por Randomizações Mendelianas. Portadores homozigóticos de mutações de perda de função no gene PCSK9 têm níveis tão baixos quanto 30 mg/dL sem problemas de saúde. https://t.co/MNXNBV7Ymz

Sep 20, 2025 · 1 followers View post →
Breno Santos
@Brepoiughfhjkl · X

@FinleySawyer1 @WongEXE___ Sure, you can just look at any Mendelian Randomization study. https://t.co/MNXNBV7Ymz

Sep 17, 2025 · 1 followers View post →
Leftist Trail Runner
@vegantrailrun · X

@Abdulthe_G_ @DelusionPosting https://t.co/ioS1IkFpnb

Sep 1, 2025 · 1,027 followers View post →
Hsainoh
@Jog_DMC · X

@EdLatimore If interested these are two better quality studies that better control for confounders and actually tracked LDL levels over time 2/2:- https://t.co/WGXUiDVTHd https://t.co/YOkFihTUCd

Aug 17, 2025 · 90 followers View post →
Cal
@caldenbasi · X

@RustySashwaite @Marion436842126 I believe it's this one: Here is the link to "Effect of Long-Term Exposure to Lower Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Beginning Early in Life on the Risk of Coronary Heart Disease: A Mendelian Randomization Analysis": https://t.co/ZlX2gmFOkj

Jun 30, 2025 · 167 followers View post →
Colleen Griffith
@Griffith17431 · X

RT @cremieuxrecueil: Source: https://t.co/d3eWKyWJ4O https://t.co/GFRkDuVIv0 https://t.co/5jLWnu5lBU

Jun 16, 2025 · 1 share · 948 followers View post →
Crémieux
@cremieuxrecueil · X

Source: https://t.co/d3eWKyWJ4O https://t.co/GFRkDuVIv0 https://t.co/5jLWnu5lBU

Jun 15, 2025 · 20 likes · 1 share · 280,130 followers View post →
Tim
@TimothyAdriaens · X

@MasalaFry69 @ashlaurlune @m_jan72 @GeneralMCNews You’re not rejecting “non-science.” You’re rejecting: https://t.co/Ht5o00k1vh https://t.co/7EvVzu6Kwc https://t.co/iFdanNqXig https://t.co/4BlD0ixfN6 That’s not science skepticism. That’s wholesale denial.

May 16, 2025 · 269 followers View post →
Joel "Heart Prevention" Kahn MD, FACC
@drjkahn · X

Effect of Long-Term Exposure to Lower Low-Density Lipoprotein Choleste... https://t.co/IgiJvkDcge

Nov 30, 2024 · 1 like · 32,221 followers View post →
GGnnHAK
@KnnHnngg · X

@Mangan150 but this: https://t.co/yH6ZSkA8u1

Apr 22, 2024 · 31 followers View post →
Michael Albert, MD
@MichaelAlbertMD · X

9/ While you may be unimpressed by the ARD, several elegant studies demonstrate the value of LDL-c lowering on risk reduction as related to the absolute decrease over time (LDL-yrs), giving birth to the concept: "lower for longer." ↪️SO THERE'S NUANCE!

Apr 6, 2024 · 7 likes · 16,156 followers View post →
gordo
@amfetamigo · X

@s_batzoglou @siimland @SBakerMD if a six year prospective study is all you need to draw conclusions, how do you feel about mendelian randomization studies that look at decades of high vs low cholesterol exposure and its outcomes? https://t.co/UOjnnBmeET

Feb 23, 2024 · 74 followers View post →
Potatus-In-Chief
@PotatusInChief · X

@SmllFries01 @JamesOnekaka @Lauren_Southern @jordanbpeterson This study proved LDL *causes* CVD in a dose-dependent manner irrespective of other risk factors or confounders and that high LDL early in life increases risk later in life since the disease is cumulative and takes decades to develop. https://t.co/0G0vg9njbG

Jan 26, 2024 · 201 followers View post →
Kevin Harris
@kevtharris · X

@KellyGoodmanPhD @CaryKelly11 https://t.co/k9zFt1Yeli We know from genetic studies that lower lifetime LDL-c leads to reduced risk of CHD

Oct 24, 2023 · 543 followers View post →
Tom Babington
@Tom_Babington1 · X

@OliverCramon @ThelastStyleb16 @drpablocorral It's from here https://t.co/EPKT5mDggg

Oct 23, 2023 · 1,211 followers View post →
Brian Schnettgoecke
@bschnett · X

This study demonstrates similar lifetime LDL exposure risk, though with a different approach: https://t.co/krYwdJ1i9M #MedPeds #Tweetiatrician #MedTwitter #Cardiotwitter

Oct 17, 2023 · 229 followers View post →
Kevin Harris
@kevtharris · X

@thalesnemo @shelly_187 @LDLSkeptic https://t.co/k9zFt1XGvK Genetic studies showing longer term exposure to lower ldl levels

Sep 15, 2023 · 543 followers View post →
ZKForTre
@ZKForTre · X

@DoctorTro Sure thing. https://t.co/YGT8YFSHSO. https://t.co/CM8XlvnZJj https://t.co/46fDF6yeZO https://t.co/hmwRVqROIJ https://t.co/F1mk00HVZC https://t.co/hylnO1ntaZ https://t.co/oygiA2yjJ3 https://t.co/1eJWOtTVIk

Aug 12, 2023 · 2,847 followers View post →
Dinos Stamoulis
@DinosStamoulis · X

@DrBrandonPettke Let’s be clear though…there is a direct link between the increased levels of LDL and your risk for heart disease. Prolonged exposure is not a good thing. https://t.co/OLlez5YW1R

Jul 27, 2023 · 5 likes · 149 followers View post →
Kevin Harris
@kevtharris · X

@REV_Insulin_Res @TheBhupiThakur https://t.co/k9zFt1XGvK https://t.co/vfbXkwZIKN we have studies in which folk are randomised genetically to lower levels of LDL & therefore lower risk of CVD

Jun 12, 2023 · 2 likes · 543 followers View post →
Kevin Harris
@kevtharris · X

@thalesnemo @shelly_187 https://t.co/k9zFt1XGvK then we have genetic randomisation

Jun 6, 2023 · 543 followers View post →
Renato Dumbra
@renatodumbra · X

@primary3down Low LDL is better https://t.co/tz5MVGt1pE

Mar 26, 2023 · 120 followers View post →
Kevin Harris
@kevtharris · X

@holmanm @SentientBlobBob @IsgittJohn https://t.co/k9zFt1XGvK

Mar 24, 2023 · 1 like · 543 followers View post →
Kevin Harris
@kevtharris · X

@j_t_2390 @JohnnyScott234 @FusionProgGuy @ElieJarrougeMD @Dr__Guess @NutritionMadeS3 https://t.co/k9zFt1XGvK start with this one from Ference & colleagues

Mar 14, 2023 · 543 followers View post →
Brian Schnettgoecke
@bschnett · X

@MikeRoseMDMPH Agreed, for chronic conditions now increasingly affecting kids and young adults it’s about AUC. This is the only study I’ve seen that attempts to quantify risk reduction with early LDL lowering, using genetic LDL-lowering polymorphisms. https://t.co/krYwdJ1PZk

Mar 12, 2023 · 229 followers View post →
Mike Hart, M.D
@drmikehart · X

3. I'm limiting my saturated fat to 7-10% of my calories because saturated fat causes high LDL, which is an independent risk factor for heart disease. https://t.co/4817z3P4Eb

Jan 20, 2023 · 5 likes · 66,573 followers View post →
Kevin Harris
@kevtharris · X

@pellegrino55555 @dr_jon_l @TekTonic4 @DrAseemMalhotra @bigfatsurprise https://t.co/k9zFt1XGvK the kicker for you LDL-c denialists were the beautiful genetic studies by Brian Ference & colleagues. Goodnight

Nov 15, 2022 · 543 followers View post →
Kevin Harris
@kevtharris · X

@YesImaFed @Mangan150 @TyRBeal Looks take a look a some studies that accurately reflect the research shall we? Not ones that measure LDL after a cardiac event https://t.co/k9zFt1XGvK

Aug 3, 2022 · 1 like · 543 followers View post →
Tom Babington
@Tom_Babington1 · X

@John_G_Willis @ScepticalDoctor @bulkbiker @coalhoof @Alecsplaining @MattMadore576 @kevinnbass I'll just post these to brush up your understanding and clear up some misconceptions. https://t.co/UEmtA0zoq3 https://t.co/zCJ1DIKZU0 https://t.co/bgHpwrsfG8 https://t.co/EPKT5mDggg https://t.co/7bo22LtT1D https://t.co/mM0dMK1X1z Now I can go back to ignoring you

Feb 5, 2022 · 3 likes · 1,211 followers View post →
INDI Cardiology Interest Group
@INDI_Cardiology · X

RT @MyNutriWeb: Study link looking into the effect of long-term exposure to lower plasma low-density LDL-C on the risk of coronary heart di…

Nov 3, 2021 · 1 share · 349 followers View post →
MyNutriWeb
@MyNutriWeb · X

Study link looking into the effect of long-term exposure to lower plasma low-density LDL-C on the risk of coronary heart disease https://t.co/C3RVEsl2UW https://t.co/vzDUjPfsRk

Oct 6, 2021 · 2 likes · 1 share · 9,628 followers View post →
Bhopender Thakur
@TheBhupiThakur · X

RT @MyNutritionSci: @chelseakwt @Tom_Babington1 @fitomnivore @Maclagan_was_OK @DrSeanOMara @ScepticalDoctor @elonmusk @DrEsselstyn @johnmcd…

Mar 9, 2021 · 1 share · 1,391 followers View post →
Bhopender Thakur
@TheBhupiThakur · X

RT @dylanarmbruste3: https://t.co/POSs7Z3QKY https://t.co/3NkexQ5xLx

Feb 28, 2021 · 1 share · 1,391 followers View post →
Dylan Armbruster
@dylanarmbruste3 · X

https://t.co/POSs7Z3QKY https://t.co/3NkexQ5xLx

Feb 27, 2021 · 1 like · 1 share · 549 followers View post →
Bhopender Thakur
@TheBhupiThakur · X

RT @PLooserMD: @chefmo916 @ifixhearts @kevinnbass @CarnivoreMD https://t.co/UvbvMjHXPL https://t.co/chF52iw22E Recent enough for you?

Feb 14, 2021 · 1 share · 1,391 followers View post →
Shaun Ward
@MyNutritionSci · X

@chelseakwt @Tom_Babington1 @fitomnivore @Maclagan_was_OK @DrSeanOMara @ScepticalDoctor @elonmusk @DrEsselstyn @johnmcdonnellMP @nutrition_facts @DrNealBarnard Mendelian randomisation studies. Those with genetically higher LDL have an increased risk of CVD. Explain why... https://t.co/Fr7JlXymzW

Jan 31, 2021 · 2 likes · 1 share · 2,380 followers View post →
Jordan Feigenbaum, M.D.
@Jordan_theCoach · X

@BioLayne Looks like Ference 2012 Effect of Long-Term Exposure to Lower Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Beginning Early in Life on the Risk of Coronary Heart Disease - we cite this in our seminars and our paper on LDL’s effect on ASCVD risk.

Nov 2, 2020 · 1 like · 5,227 followers View post →
Erick Raffai
@Erick_Raffai · X

RT @drjkahn: I have participated in many research projects but I am really proud of this one. Widely quoted. #kahnchronicle https://t.co/…

Sep 19, 2020 · 1 share · 192 followers View post →
Joel "Heart Prevention" Kahn MD, FACC
@drjkahn · X

I have participated in many research projects but I am really proud of this one. Widely quoted. #kahnchronicle https://t.co/R1Gs1JIdC1

Sep 19, 2020 · 4 likes · 1 share · 32,221 followers View post →
Emil
@animusblue · X

@AviBittMD @drmatthewnagra @BioLayne In this study they studied polymorphisms that affect LDL levels. They did a randomized controlled trial and what they found was 54,5% decrease in CVD per 1mmol/l. https://t.co/0Ds13EfxNV

Jul 23, 2020 · 206 followers View post →