My Child Has High Cholesterol, Now What?

 When most of us think about high cholesterol, we think of a condition that affects adults. But kids can have high cholesterol, too, and that means they face the same serious health risks as adults.

At Bridgewater Primary Care & Cardiology, LLC, John Terzian, MD, FACC, and his team provide comprehensive family medicine services for patients aged 12 and up, including preteens and teens with cholesterol issues. In this post, learn more about cholesterol and what we can do to help your child stay healthy.

The ABCs of cholesterol

Cholesterol is a waxy substance made by the liver and found in some foods, like meat, fish, dairy, and eggs. It plays essential roles in the body, helping build cells and produce vitamin D and certain hormones. 

Cholesterol can be divided into two main types. LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol is sometimes referred to as “bad” cholesterol, while HDL (high-density lipoprotein) cholesterol is referred to as “good” cholesterol. 

In reality, both types are necessary to support normal bodily functions and overall health. The “good” and “bad” nicknames have to do with the way these types of cholesterol act inside your arteries.

“Bad” cholesterol tends to build up along the inside walls of arteries, making them so narrow and stiff that it becomes hard for blood to circulate. “Good” cholesterol helps remove “bad” cholesterol from the bloodstream, preventing it from collecting inside the arteries. 

High cholesterol refers to LDL levels that are above normal ranges.

High cholesterol in kids

We normally hear about high cholesterol in adults — specifically, adults who are overweight, who eat unhealthy diets, or who don’t get a lot of exercise. Kids can develop high cholesterol for the same reasons: eating too much junk food and not enough nutrient-dense foods, being inactive, and carrying extra pounds.

Kids can also inherit a tendency to have high cholesterol levels, a condition called familial hypercholesterolemia. In these instances, a child can have high cholesterol levels regardless of their diet, activity, or weight. 

High cholesterol doesn’t cause noticeable symptoms, but it does raise the risk of serious health problems, including heart disease. When cholesterol collects in your child’s arteries, it elevates their risk of heart disease, heart attack, and stroke in their adult years, too. That’s why catching and treating high cholesterol early is so important.

Managing high cholesterol in your child

Managing high cholesterol begins with a blood test to measure the levels of cholesterol and other lipids (fatty substances). Ideally, your child’s LDL level should be no higher than 100 mg/dl, while HDL levels should be 45 mg/dl or higher. 

The CDC recommends cholesterol screening for all kids aged 9-11. For kids with obesity, more frequent testing is generally recommended. Our practice offers in-house labs to make testing easy and convenient.

If your child’s LDL level is high, we’ll work with you and your child to develop a treatment plan to improve their cholesterol and reduce their risk of complications. Typically, that starts with healthy lifestyle changes, like an eating plan rich in fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins, and regular physical activity to reduce their risk of heart problems. 

If your child’s cholesterol level is very high or doesn’t respond to lifestyle changes alone, we may recommend medications to help lower “bad” cholesterol. These medications can help manage cholesterol in kids who have familial hypercholesterolemia, too.

Give your child a lifetime of good health

Monitoring your child’s cholesterol is essential for preventing complications that can take a toll on their health now and during their adult years. To learn more about high cholesterol treatment or schedule a screening for your child, request an appointment online or over the phone with the team at Bridgewater Primary Care & Cardiology in Bridgewater, Massachusetts, today.