What to Know About High Cholesterol in Kids

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S., but it’s not something we usually associate with kids. In many cases, however, the seeds of heart attacks and strokes may be sown in childhood. That’s because high or abnormal cholesterol levels, which are a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke, are not uncommon in kids. “People may feel that cholesterol is mostly an adult issue, which is not correct,” says Dr. Nivedita Patni, a pediatric endocrinologist at Children’s Health in Dallas and an assistant professor of pediatrics at UT Southwestern Medical Center. About 1 in 5 children ages 6 to 19 years in the U.S. have high or abnormal levels of cholesterol. “It’s far more common than a lot of us even realize,” says Dr. Julie Brothers, a pediatric cardiologist at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. [time-brightcove not-tgx=”true”] Without a blood test, high or abnormal cholesterol can be asymptomatic and hard to detect, making it a hidden risk factor in many children. “I think it’s important for parents to be aware that their children could have high cholesterol,” says Dr. Stephen Daniels, pediatrician-in-chief at Children’s Hospital Colorado and chair of the department of pediatrics at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. The perils of high cholesterol in kids Cholesterol isn’t inherently good or bad. It’s a type of fat—or lipid—that&rsquo...
Source: TIME: Health - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Tags: Uncategorized freelance healthscienceclimate heart health Source Type: news