Why medical experts say cholesterol screenings are important – even for kids!
Cholesterol Screenings: Why and When They Matter
If you’re hearing more about cholesterol screenings in the news, it’s not your imagination. For the first time since 2018, new cholesterol guidelines focus on lowering bad cholesterol and stress the importance of early screenings.
Middle-aged adults commonly schedule routine medical screenings as recommended by their healthcare providers. Among these assessments, cholesterol screening is a standard component, usually carried out via a straightforward blood draw. This procedure allows medical professionals to evaluate a patient’s cholesterol levels and detect any related potential health risks. But experts caution that waiting until you have a problem isn’t good. Let’s learn more.
Monitoring Cholesterol
Traditionally, screenings have focused on adults 40 and up, but new recent guidelines emphasize the importance of starting assessments much earlier. Newer recommendations strongly encourage screening children initially between the ages of 9 and 11 or as early as age 2 if needed. Results can identify if a child has a family history of high cholesterol and increased risk of heart attack or stroke. Younger people are also encouraged to know their numbers and work with their doctor for medical treatment if needed.
The frequency of cholesterol screenings should be discussed with a physician. In addition to recommended guidelines, screenings also depend on an individual’s health history. People in high-risk categories, like those diagnosed with heart disease, diabetes, high-blood pressure, or a family history of high cholesterol may require more frequent monitoring. People on cholesterol medications also require ongoing testing.
Understanding Cholesterol and Its Impact on Health
Knowing your cholesterol numbers is crucial, as they help determine your risk for heart attack, stroke, or other cardiovascular diseases. Cholesterol, a type of lipid, is essential for your body’s functions. It contributes to cell membrane structure, aids the liver in producing bile, and acts as a building block for hormones. According to the Cleveland Clinic, high levels of LDL cholesterol, often referred to as “bad” cholesterol, can increase the risk of heart disease. Conversely, healthy levels of HDL cholesterol, or “good” cholesterol, may protect your heart and arteries and reduce your health risk. While lipids are vital for many bodily functions, having too much LDL cholesterol can lead to plaque buildup in the arteries and atherosclerosis (the narrowing or hardening of the arteries). This raises the risk for various heart and blood vessel problems. Alarmingly, about one in four adults have elevated levels of LDL cholesterol – which is dangerous for health.
Newly Released Guidelines: Focus on Early Intervention
Newly released guidelines from the American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association emphasize the early intervention and “more personalized aggressive targets for reducing ‘bad’ cholesterol.” Medical expert Dr. Natalie Azar explains on TODAY that lower LDL levels over a longer period provide greater protection against heart attacks and strokes, and early baseline cholesterol checks can help provide early treatment options. This includes a baseline cholesterol check as young as age 10, another at age around 19 and every five years after, plus more frequent testing with higher risk factors.
Risk Stratification
New screening guidelines include the PREVENT (Predicting Risk of Cardiovascular Disease EVENTs) calculator that measures one’s 10-year risk of having an event if you’re between ages 30 to 79 and one’s 30-year risk of having an event if you’re between ages 30 to 59. After plugging in information, equations put people into risk categories to include low, borderline, intermediate, and high to help target LDL cholesterol levels.
Newer Helpful Measurement Components
A cholesterol panel is a blood test panel that includes total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and triglyceride levels (a type of fat that is transported in the bloodstream and stored in the tissues). New guidelines recommend that every adult get tested for lipoprotein(a) or Lp(a) at least once in their lifetime. High levels of Lp(a) are typically inherited. Medical experts recommend this test combined with other measures to assess heart disease and stroke risk and guide people toward prevention and treatment.
Sometimes, doctors recommend additional tests. For instance, someone with high triglycerides, metabolic syndrome, or type 2 diabetes may be helped with an Apolipoprotein B or ApoB test that looks at the number of harmful cholesterol particles to gain clearer insight into their health and heart disease risk. A Coronary Artery Calcium Scan (CAC scan) is a noninvasive computed tomography (CT) scan of the heart that may be suggested by a doctor to check plaque, determine your risk of heart attack or stroke, and personalize your treatment. Talk to your doctor about which tests are right for you.
Cholesterol Screening: Knowledge Equals Power
Understanding your cholesterol levels is vital for maintaining overall health. Regular screenings that follow the new recommended guidelines allow you to monitor changes over time and identify any potential risks for heart disease or stroke. By tracking your cholesterol, you can make informed decisions about your lifestyle and medical care. This proactive approach empowers you to take control of your health and reduces the likelihood of developing serious cardiovascular issues. As always, consult your doctor to discuss testing and to address your specific health needs. Remember that some of these tests can be lifesaving, so they should be taken seriously.
Disclosure: This article is purely informational and is not medically reviewed. It is not intended as a medical resource or substitute for medical advice. Please consult your physician for medical information and recommendations.
Oh, great! Now we can “test” kids into statin drugs, too. Over 20% of statin users have adverse reactions, so it’s perfect for getting the little darlings on other drugs that combat the statins. Kind of like Ozempic style drugs. Let’s get all the kids on those, too! Never mind eating right and getting exercise— we’ll just drug them up.
Question. If statins work so well and a large percentage of people are taking them, why is heart disease still the number one killer in America? Asking for a friend.
I agree, gaining knowledge has been very beneficial for me:
“The Great Cholesterol Myth” by doctors Bowden and Sinatra has been an eyeopener.
I learned there are at least 13 LDL types and 10 HDL, so a simple “good/bad” test is about as accurate as flipping a coin. Cholesterol is necessary for my bile production, testosterone, vitamin D and brain health as it makes up 1/4 of the cholesterol in my body. Wiping out cholesterol with a drug is like cutting down all the trees so you won’t have a forest fire.
I also learned that the one out of 13 types of LDL is damaged by stress, sugar, inflammation & oxidation. It is not “bad” by itself.
Since having a serious, life threatening reaction to a statin drug a few years ago, I had to do something to protect myself from physicians who believe statins are the answer for everything. By following the natural remedies in the Cholesterol Myth book, I have been able to double my HDL and lower Triglycerides – I believe the only helpful measurement from the antiquated lipid panel test is the Triglycerides to HDL ratio. I brought mine down to 1.4 from about 4. A ratio of over 5 is dangerous to my heart and 2 or less is ideal.
The cholesterol thing is baloney. This is all to sell statin drugs which can have devastating side effects. These drugs do not have anything to do with preventing heart disease. There are natural solutions for lowering cholesterol, such as eating grapefruit, which is good for lowering high blood pressure, too. And 1/2 of a grapefruit a couple times a week is all you need. There are lots of other foods, too. The CDC once suggested that HDL/LDL level shouldn’t total more than 140 or 130 or even 100! At those levels you may likely develop full on dementia. And your body and brain need both HDL/LDL. The levels should be based on the individual, not the general public as well as diet and even ancestry. My level is under 500. I’m good. At a recent check up, I asked my doctor what MY cholesterol levels should be, knowing what my diet is, etc. She had no answer and I refused getting tested. I’ve done my research and read studies. I didn’t rely on the CDC, WebMD, FDA, or Google. And the main thing I learned was that statin drugs are the most prescribed drugs and biggest money maker in America.( over a trillion $$$).
Disappointed in you, AMAC. Pushing pharmaceuticals (on children, no less) without thorough discernment. Do more research and facilitate and teach healthy habits as a first line defense!
Statins have been on the market for over 35 years. We should have statistics that show decreased CAD and strokes but we do not. Instead we have all time high numbers with a continuous rise in dementia. Cholesterol is vital for brain function. They have sold us a lie and many people are paying the price. I’ve been an RN for 42 years and work in cardiology. The pharmaceutical industry would love the article.
Monitoring cholesterol is NOT vital to health. This article is outdated and filled with false information. There are many other markers more important, such as fasting insulin, fasting glucose, triglyceride levels, and HDL. Low cholesterol is associated with a higher all-cause mortality than high cholesterol is. 50% percent of people who are admitted to the hospital for heart attack have low or normal cholesterol. The cholesterol myth is a pharma enrichment program using humans as cash cows.
All this “knowledge” yet nothing on The Cholesterol Controversy! Notice has the word “may” appears in this! Funny how nobody was being warned about cholesterol before drugs to “treat” it were created. And then how many years we heard we needed to lower it before we finally heard about the “Good Cholesterol”?
My cholesterol has plummeted for me, I haven’t changed my diet whatsoever. I contribute that to statins. I’ve never had a problem with taking them. I believe they are beneficial to me being an ex chef. I feel much better taking them. And the low numbers, not too concerned about side effects. I have COPD. Which is worse. Everyone has differing opinions, outcomes, and side effects. I choose to embrace the medication.