There’s a very good reason to test preadolescents’ cholesterol levels, Elizabeth Tracey reports

Podcast: Download (Duration: 1:04 — 1.5MB)

Subscribe: RSS

Did you know that one in five adolescents have cholesterol levels that are too high, some of them very high indeed? Those at the highest levels may have a genetic disorder called familial hypercholesterolemia, and when it’s caught early it can be successfully managed. Seth Martin, a cardiologist at Johns Hopkins and one author of new guidelines on cholesterol management, explains.

Martin: Familial hypercholesterolemia is such a key example of something that we don't want to miss. Unfortunately this is typically picked up, if it ever is picked up, it's picked up much later in life like the mid 40s is a typical age where familial hyperkalemia is diagnosed. When the diagnosis can be made early in life it can completely change the trajectory of someone's health.  You can stop the disease in its tracks, prevent someone from having early coronary atherosclerosis and early risk for heart attacks and other cardiovascular events.    :33

At Johns Hopkins, I’m Elizabeth Tracey.