Is Your Child At Risk For High Cholesterol?

If your child feels extremely tired by the end of the day, you may send them to bed early at night to help them sleep better. But if your child still feels tired in the morning and throughout the day, even after they achieve a good night's sleep, ask a pediatrician to check your child's cholesterol levels. High cholesterol can even affect children over time. Learn more about high cholesterol in children and how a child doctor can help your loved one below.

Can Children Develop High Cholesterol?

Adults aren't the only people to experience problems with their cholesterol levels over time. Children can also experience issues with their cholesterol levels. Cholesterol is a yellowish waxy substance found in different types of food. Cholesterol isn't bad until it builds up inside the heart's arteries. Once cholesterol builds up inside the arteries, it hardens and prevents blood from moving through them. 

Like adults, children can develop high cholesterol problems if they consume a diet high in fatty and greasy foods. Children can also develop high cholesterol problems if their parents or grandparents suffer from it as well. Children who weigh more than they should weigh for their age, body size, and height may also experience a higher level of cholesterol in their blood vessels. 

Cholesterol can create blockages in the blood vessels in the heart and body. The blockages can prevent oxygen-rich blood from reaching the body's organs and tissues, including the brain and lungs. Children and adults can feel more tired than usual if their bodies don't receive enough oxygen. 

If you suspect or think your child has high cholesterol problems, reach out to a pediatrician today.

Can a Pediatrician Help Your Child?

A pediatrician will need to examine your child's heart to see if it contains too much cholesterol in it. A doctor can use special tools to monitor the condition of your child's heart. If your child's heart struggles to push blood through the body, a child doctor may order other tests for them.

Some pediatricians use blood tests to find high levels of cholesterol in their patients. The tests look for signs of fat in the blood supply. The blood vessels in your child's blood may also be compromised by cholesterol. 

If your child suffers from high cholesterol, a child doctor will assign them a special diet and exercise plan to lower it. Your child may need to consume more carrots and leafy green vegetables at mealtimes, for example. Your loved one may also need to engage in an afterschool exercise program to strengthen their heart and blood vessels. A pediatrician will go over your child's treatment plan during their child care visit.

Learn more about cholesterol in children and how to treat your child by contacting a pediatrician today.


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