How To Assess Your Cholesterol Risk

High cholesterol may seem like an issue that only Grandpa may face. But did you know it could it be something that you need to be concerned with, regardless of your age? And how do you determine your cholesterol risk?

The American Heart Association suggests that that people should start getting their cholesterol checked starting at age 20. And it’s not unheard of for babies as young as 15 months to be screened for high cholesterol levels. We all need a level of cholesterol in our bodies to create the outer membrane of our cells. But like with most things in life, too much cholesterol can be unhealthy. High cholesterol increases the risk of heart disease, which can lead to heart attack and stroke.

Do you or your child have a genetic predisposition to developing high cholesterol levels?? A simple blood test measuring levels of bad cholesterol, formally known as LDL (low-density lipoprotein) can determine if a child has inherited high cholesterol, also known a familial hypercholesterolemia. But you have to run this test between ages one and nine to find out; this correlation can’t be made in newborns and young adults.

Familial hypercholesteromia is rare, affecting only one in every 500 people. However, having the condition makes adults between the ages of 20 to 39 more susceptible to dying or coronary disease as a result of the condition. The good news is that lowering cholesterol can curb this risk.

If a child is determined to have high cholesterol levels, he or she would be closely monitored until they reached adulthood, when therapies would begin. However, it is best to establish healthy habits throughout childhood to help keep cholesterol levels down. One approach is eating a healthy diet full of fruits and veggies, and limiting red meat and refined starches and sugars. Keep your child’s weight under control, and make sure he or she has daily exercise, such as running around on the playground at recess, or playing a sport.

Keep in mind that all of us are at risk for high cholesterol due to eating an unhealthy diet, lack of exercise, and gained excess weight. Too much “bad” cholesterol (LDL) and too little “good” cholesterol (HDL) puts you at risk for damaging the lining of the arteries as well as the heart.

To lower your cholesterol, it’s important to not only maintain a healthy diet but to also exercise and lose weight.

For more cholesterol articles, visit Lifescript.com.

The information contained in this article is provided for informational purposes only and is not, nor is it ever intended to be, a substitute for professional medical advice or professional recommendations, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician(s) or other qualified healthcare provider(s).