Kids on Potent Drugs

Kids with high cholesterol? Doesn't that sound crazy? I would imagine there are steps parents can take to prevent the kids from going on statins. I don't think any parent wants their child on medication for the rest of their lives. That's a scary thought!

FROM CNN: The high rate of childhood obesity in the U.S. has prompted some pediatricians to start screening kids for high cholesterol. 

Take a deep breath. Maddie Zacks is only 9 and she's already been tested twice because of a family History of heart disease. What we're looking for is the results of your lab. Pediatricians like Dr. Jennifer Shu recommend the blood tests for certain Youngsters ages 2 to 10.

The children who are most concerning are those who are already overweight or Obese or if they have family history of early heart disease. If a child's cholesterol is high, what do you do about it?
Doctors point to lifestyle changes such as daily exercise and eating a healthy Diet.
As a last resort, a small percentage of children might be prescribed a Cholesterol-lowering drug called a statin.

Putting a child or even a teenager on a statin is a major step because that individual may require statin therapy for the rest of their life. Something maddie doesn't have to worry about after getting some good news. Your total cholesterol is awesome, it is 148. Is that average?It is better than average, you're a super star.

-NewsAnchorMom Jen