Cholesterol and Children
- Cholesterol and Children Introduction
- What Is Cholesterol?
- Best Cholesterol Levels
- Screening Children for High Cholesterol
- Research Results
- Treating High Cholesterol in Children
- Dietary Guidelines
- Tips for Heart-Healthy Eating and Exercise
- For More Information
- Web Links
- Synonyms and Keywords
- Authors and Editors
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Healthy recipes - on WebMD
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Cholesterol and Children Introduction
High cholesterol is a risk factor for coronary heart disease in adults, but some children may be at risk for premature coronary heart disease if they have high cholesterol levels earlier in life. Most parents don’t know their children’s risks, and health care providers often don’t test children’s cholesterol levels.
According to the American Heart Association, there is sound research that the process of cholesterol buildup in arteries begins in childhood. Childhood may be the time to intervene with lifestyle changes that include sound diet and plenty of exercise, especially for children determined to be at high risk.
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Cholesterol and Children
What is cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a waxy, fatlike substance that is naturally present in cell walls or membranes everywhere in the body. Your body uses cholesterol to produce many hormones, vitamin D, and the bile acids that help to digest fat.
If you have too much cholesterol in your bloodstream, the excess may be deposited in the arteries of the heart, which could lead to heart disease.
What causes high cholesterol?
Several drugs and diseases can cause high cholesterol; however, for many people, a high-fat diet and inherited metabolic factors seem to be the main causes.
What are the symptoms of high cholesterol?
High cholesterol doesn’t have any symptoms. The only way to know if you have high cholesterol is to have it checked, which can be done with a simple blood test, called a fasting lipoprotein profile.
How often should I have my cholesterol checked?
Gover...
Read What Your Physician is Reading on eMedicine
Pediatric Lipid Disorders in Clinical Practice »
Multiple studies have revealed that the early stages of atherosclerosis begin in childhood.
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