Cholesterol, a waxy substance found among fats in the bloodstream, can begin building up in arteries early in life -- often in adolescence -- and worsen over time, increasing the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD).
Schedule a cholesterol screening for your child if: Previous screenings have shown his or her total cholesterol to be higher than 240 mg/dL. A parent or grandparent developed heart disease prior toage 55. He or she is overweight or obese. Family history is unknown. According to the American Heart Association, total cholesterol ranges for children ages 2-19 are as follows:
Acceptable: Less than 170 mg/dL Borderline: 170-199 mg/dL High: 200 mg/dL or greater
If your child's screening results show an unhealthy cholesterol level, take steps to improve it: Read food labels to keep tabs on how much saturated fat, cholesterol, and trans fats your family is consuming. Replace a couple servings of red meat with other sources of lean protein, such as poultry, beans, fish, tofu, lentils, and soy products. Make exercise a family affair. Physical activity has been proven to boost healthy HDL cholesterol, so choose group activities that the whole family can enjoy, such as a hike or a bike ride, or a game of baseball or basketball. By monitoring and treating elevated cholesterol levels, you'll help control the buildup of fatty deposits in your child's artery walls and reduce his or her risk of cardiovascular disease later in life. Research shows that preteen and teens with the lowest cholesterol levels live longer than those with higher cholesterol levels.
Schedule a cholesterol screening for your child if: Previous screenings have shown his or her total cholesterol to be higher than 240 mg/dL. A parent or grandparent developed heart disease prior toage 55. He or she is overweight or obese. Family history is unknown. According to the American Heart Association, total cholesterol ranges for children ages 2-19 are as follows:
Acceptable: Less than 170 mg/dL Borderline: 170-199 mg/dL High: 200 mg/dL or greater
If your child's screening results show an unhealthy cholesterol level, take steps to improve it: Read food labels to keep tabs on how much saturated fat, cholesterol, and trans fats your family is consuming. Replace a couple servings of red meat with other sources of lean protein, such as poultry, beans, fish, tofu, lentils, and soy products. Make exercise a family affair. Physical activity has been proven to boost healthy HDL cholesterol, so choose group activities that the whole family can enjoy, such as a hike or a bike ride, or a game of baseball or basketball. By monitoring and treating elevated cholesterol levels, you'll help control the buildup of fatty deposits in your child's artery walls and reduce his or her risk of cardiovascular disease later in life. Research shows that preteen and teens with the lowest cholesterol levels live longer than those with higher cholesterol levels.
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