Heart Facts | High Cholesterol Levels in Teens leads to greater chance of heart disease

High Cholesterol Levels in Teens leads to greater chance of heart disease

Posted on January 23, 2010
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The association between high cholesterol levels including high triglyceride, high low density lipoprotein and high total cholesterol is well known. What was not as well known was the fact that many teenagers have cholesterol levels that increase their risk to heart disease, with one in five at risk.

Worryingly even those teenagers as young as 12 were affected by the abnormal lipid profile, and those of normal body weight also had an abnormality on one or more lipid parameters. However the percentage increased from 14% to over 22% in those who were overweight and as high as 42% in those who were in obese. Such obesity in the young has been associated with disorders such as diabetes and high blood pressure which were normally more common in middle aged.

Obesity management and prevention is the number one way to ensure high cholesterol levels do not occur. However when obesity is present the two best ways to reduce high cholesterol levels are through a balanced healthy diet and at least 5 periods of aerobic exercise a week. Statin use in teenagers is not encouraged due to the large range of side effects associated with long term statin use. Without weight loss and reducing cholesterol levels the chances of diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease are greatly increased.

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