Intermountain Children’s Health Experts say Lipids Tests for Kids Can Prevent Midlife Heart Disease

Heart disease is usually thought of as an adult disease, but the causes of heart attacks, including high cholesterol, can be spotted in childhood.

That’s why Intermountain Children’s Health encourages cholesterol screening, or lipid tests, for all kids between the ages of 9 and 11 years during their well-child checkups.

“Cholesterol screening in childhood is about preventing heart attacks when a person is in their 40s,” said Adam Ware, MD, pediatric cardiologist at University of Utah Health and Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital. “Universal lipid screening is recommended for this age group by the American Academy of Pediatrics, and are a great tool to spot potential problems early on and help kids stay healthy throughout their lives.”

February is American Heart Month, a national observance to raise awareness about heart disease, which is the leading cause of death in the United States.

High cholesterol levels in kids can be related to an unhealthy diet and sedentary lifestyle. High cholesterol can also be inherited, and about 1 in 250 individuals have a genetic cause of high cholesterol that can dramatically increase their risk of heart disease in middle age. Any cause of high cholesterol is associated with heart problems in midlife, according to the American Heart Association.

Cholesterol is a type of fat, or lipid, found in the bloodstream and essential for life, but too much cholesterol in the blood vessels can cause damage to the blood vessels and eventually lead to a heart attack or stroke.

The Intermountain Children’s Health lipid screening has two parts: a questionnaire about a family history of heart disease and high cholesterol levels, and a blood test (no fasting necessary).

If the child’s cholesterol levels are elevated, the family will be encouraged to adopt a heart-healthy lifestyle and to have the child retested to look for improvements with lifestyle changes. Children with persistently high LDL levels should be referred to a cholesterol specialist.

How to improve your child’s cholesterol levels

Here are some heart-healthy tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Healthy Children and American Heart Association, which can be adopted by the whole family:

• Add fruits, vegetables, beans, and other sources of fiber to your diet.
• Try protein sources like fish, nuts, beans, peas, nuts, and lentils in place of some red meat.
• Avoid ultra-processed foods and snacks.
• Get plenty of sleep.
• Get plenty of exercise.

For more information, visit intermountainhealthcare.org/childrens-health