Children may inherit high cholesterol from parents, so early diagnosis is vital

For kids with familial hypercholesterolemia, even if they eat healthfully and live an active life, they are still at risk for developing early heart disease. — ANDREI RAHALSKI/Dreamstime/TNS

MANY parents think of high cholesterol as a health concern that only affects adults. But did you know that around 1 in 250 children have elevated cholesterol levels that aren’t related to diet, exercise or lifestyle?

These kids have a genetic condition called familial hypercholesterolemia, or FH. Even if they eat healthfully and live an active life, they are at risk for developing early heart disease.