Normal Cholesterol Levels

In Adults

When is the best time to have blood test for cholesterol level?  Is there really a specific age on when to have the blood cholesterol test? Those are just some of the questions that we are probably thinking.  We need to consider different factors, such as history of heart disease and high cholesterol level in the family, our lifestyle and our diet to help us decide when to have one.

Healthcare providers usually recommend blood cholesterol level test:

• Adults should begin as early as 20 years old, especially those who have history of hypercholesterolemia, high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity.
• Suggested that men should have it started at 35 years old.  Considering that men have a higher level of LDL (bad cholesterol) compared to women.
• Women should start having one at the age 45 and older.

Your doctor can decide how frequent you have to do it, depending on your risk factors.

Normal ranges for cholesterol level in adults:

• Cholesterol: 140 to 199 mg/dl
• LDL:  < 100 mg/dl
• HDL:  >60 mg/dl
• Triglycerides:  < 150 mg/dl

In Children

It’s a fact that we allow kids to gobble up foods that has tons of fats and cholesterol.  Our mentality is that they can burn it anyways!  This is our notion that kids can burn the calories from what they ate easily, that is, if they are physically active.  But in this computer age, where everything seems instant and are done fast, even our physical activity is computer generated.

Nowadays, many kids are satisfied with just watching television, playing handheld games, online gaming and not engaging in physical activities anymore.  How could they burn those extra calories that they ate, if they are busy playing in front of the computer?  No wonder that there are cases of children having high cholesterol level, heart problems, diabetes and obesity.

Parents have a major role in influencing and helping kids to live healthy lives and achieve their dreams. But the change should start from us.

CAUSES OF HIGH CHOLESTEROL IN CHILDREN

• Genetics- sometimes having a high level of cholesterol can be inherited.  It is related to all the bad cholesterol that we allowed ourselves to have in our body.  Our genes determined in part on how fast this bad cholesterol can be removed from the body.  We don’t have any control in this.
• Diet- increase intake of saturated fats ( fat from animal) and trans fat ( foods made up of hydrogenated oils).  We can control our intake of fattening foods.
• Overweight-excess from ideal body weight can increase the bad cholesterol level (LDL).  Let’s watch out the weight of our kids.
• Physical Inactivity- being not involved in any physical activity, no chance of burning extra calories.  It will definitely increase bad cholesterol in our children’s body.

CHOLESTEROL SCREENING FOR CHILDREN

Previous studies shows that 10-13% of children and teens have high cholesterol level, at the score of over 200.  New guidelines were just released by National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) regarding the screening of cholesterol in children:

• Cholesterol screening should be done on all ages from 9-11 years old, before puberty.  During this time their bodies naturally experience an increase in cholesterol level.
• Second screening should be done between ages 17-21.
• Parents should encourage a diet low in saturated fat to their kids by age 1.

This new screening procedure is easy for children.  Blood sample should be taken by just pricking the finger.  And the good news is, they don’t need to undergo fasting anymore.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Knowing the root of any problem, can be the pathway to finding a solution.  Who doesn’t want their problems being solved, right? Changes in our lifestyle should be made in order to avoid heart problems in the future.

Here are some suggestions on how to help our kids:

• Bring your children for cholesterol screening within the ages of 9-11 years old.
• Be in a habit of knowing and reading food labels.
• Encourage eating healthy foods, fruits and vegetables.
• Limit fast food trips.
• Involve your children in physical activities.
• Watch your children’s weight.