Researchers have known for many years now that atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) and the heart attacks, strokes, and other health problems associated with it often have their roots in childhood. High blood cholesterol (along with smoking, obesity, lack of exercise, diabetes, and untreated high blood pressure) is a majorrisk factor for developing atherosclerosis at an early age.

Like adults, children withhigh cholesterol can often reduce those cholesterol levels significantly by changing their eating habits—and most likely can lower their risk of future heart disease by doing so.

Cholesterol screening usually is not done until age 24 months, because strict dietary fat restriction is not considered to be safe before this age. The doctor will help decide whether your child should have a total cholesterol level measured or whether a lipid profile should be done, which also looks at the levels of HDL (“good”) cholesterol, LDL (“bad”) cholesterol, and triglycerides (another fat in the blood that can play a role in heart disease). The results of these tests will help guide you and your child’s doctor in deciding whether dietary changes are needed and how your child should be followed over time.

Blood Cholesterol Screening Recommendations

Does your child need cholesterol screening? These risk factors indicate a need for blood cholesterol screening: