Children today are now being told to have their cholesterol tested before they are teenagers
The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute is recommending kids–as young as nine–be screened for cholesterol.
“If a kid has high cholesterol that’s unknown then, they will not have the opportunity to make the healthy lifestyle changes that will last them for a lifetime of wellness,” said Dr. Ellen Rome of the Cleveland Clinic.
Rome was not on the panel that recommends the guidelines, but she stresses that early screening can significantly decrease the risk of getting heart disease as an adult.
Regardless of health or family history, the RHLBI says all children should be screened once between the ages of 9 and 11 and again between 17 and 21.
“This is a preventative, proactive wellness policy,” Rome said. “We really want kids and families mobilizing themselves to make health changes earlier rather than when it’s too late.”
Rome said most children with high cholesterol will be treated with diet and exercise. About 1 percent of children with high cholesterol are treated with medication.
“This screening does not mean that there’s going to be a gazillion more kids on medications. We don’t have to start raising the rates of Lipitour use in kids. That’s going to be an exceptionally rare kid with a very special family history.”