The American journal of medicine
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Changes occur in lipid and lipoprotein concentrations with age that increase the risk of developing atherosclerotic disease. In children and young adults (less than 20 years of age), the plasma total cholesterol concentration decreases between the ages of 10 and 20 years. After age 20, the plasma total cholesterol concentration increases progressively, and in men reaches a plateau between the ages of 50 and 60 years, whereas in women, it reaches a peak between 60 and 70 years of age. ⋯ The triglyceride concentration increases progressively in men, reaching peak values between 40 and 50 years of age, and then declining slightly thereafter. In women, the triglyceride concentration increases throughout their lifetime, but is always higher in those using estrogens. Whether these changes in lipoprotein concentrations merely accompany the increasing prevalence of atherosclerotic vascular disease that occurs with age, or contribute to it, is unknown at this time.