Cholesterol Screening for Kids
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CHOLESTEROL Cholesterol is a waxy fat produced by the body. If this fatty substance is at normal levels, there are no health hazards. However, high cholesterol levels in the blood can build up in the arteries and block blood flow, leading to cardiovascular disease even in young people.
YOUNG PEOPLE Your child may hear other people say that they are “watching their cholesterol.” However, some children and teens also need blood cholesterol tests if their family members have had early heart disease. If a child’s cholesterol levels stay too high for too long, it can damage blood vessels in their heart, brain, and other body areas. Indeed, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that all children between 9 and 11 years old are screened for high blood cholesterol levels due to the growing epidemic of obesity in children.
Reasons That Lead To High Cholesterol Levels in Children Nowadays, children also experience high cholesterol for many reasons. And now, obesity, diabetes, liver disease, kidney disease, or underactive thyroid are increasing among young people. And there is evidence that children with cholesterol problems become adults with high cholesterol and persons at risk of heart disease and diabetes.
TYPES OF CHOLESTEROL
There are two types of cholesterol in the blood. The good cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein or HD) that collects the bad cholesterol from the blood reaches the liver, where this substance is processed and eliminated from the body. And the other type is bad cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein or LDL) that is carried to the body cells, accumulating in the arteries and clogging them.
SCREENING Over time, elevated LDL levels can cause heart disease. Therefore, encourage your child to stay active and exercise. Eating healthy foods is also very important, especially those that are high in fiber. Finally, the screening and treatment of children’s cholesterol disorders have been recommended for decades. As we mentioned above, since 2011, health organizations have highlighted the importance of universal screening of all individuals in two age periods, between 9-11 years and between 17-20 years. And these studies are necessary even if there is no family history of heart disease and high cholesterol levels.
For further information, call your trusted professionals on Pineville pediatrics or your Ballantyne Pediatrician.
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