Active kids, hidden risks: Why cholesterol screening matters

Editor's note: KSL has left out the last name of Max, Tess, Celeste and Kevin at the request of the family.

SALT LAKE CITY — February is American Heart Month, a chance to raise awareness about heart disease and high cholesterol — and doctors say preventing it starts as early as childhood.

Siblings 16-year-old Max and 14-year-old Tess are both athletes. Max plays lacrosse, and Tess is on the varsity cheer squad. By all appearances, they're normal teens, but because their dad has a family history of heart disease, Max and Tess were tested for cholesterol at a young age.

"They are healthy, active kids that you would never guess had high cholesterol," their mom, Celeste, said.

Even teens who seem perfectly healthy can have hidden risk factors for heart disease — including high cholesterol. That's why doctors recommend lipid tests for many children, which measure cholesterol and other fats in the blood.

"Unless you are screened, you would never know that you could have really high and dangerous levels of cholesterol," said Dr. Adam Ware, a pediatric cardiologist at Primary Children's Hospital. "If we can identify those kids early on and start their treatment, then we can prevent heart attacks in the future."

Ware said heart disease doesn't develop overnight — it builds over time.

"The problems that lead to heart disease start and occur during your whole life," he said.

Those risk factors can include high blood pressure, high blood sugar, obesity, a sedentary lifestyle and high cholesterol.

To manage cholesterol levels, Ware helps families implement lifestyle changes.

"I typically say don't drink your calories, add fiber to your diet and then trying to minimize processed foods," he said. "I think trying to make small, positive changes over time is really important."

"Drinking soda is not the best — so more water, things like that," Max added.

Doctors also stress the importance of physical activity and sleep. For some kids, medicines like statins may be recommended.

"It's really just living healthy and making sure you get the right medication to support it," said Kevin, Max and Tess's dad.

For Max and Tess and their parents, learning about their cholesterol has been a way to take charge of their health — together.

"It's nice that we got tested early, so we don't have to worry about heart diseases later on in life," Tess said.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends lipid testing for kids between the ages of 9 and 11, or earlier if there's a family history of heart disease. The screening includes a simple finger prick or blood draw that can be done during a routine checkup.

Related topics