High cholesterol levels becoming more common in children

High cholesterol can increase the risk of heart disease but can easily be reversed with lifestyle changes.

In some cases, high cholesterol can be caused by a genetic mutation.

UW Health doctors say it is important to get your child screened for high cholesterol because it can save your child and your other family members.

"By finding this in the child, what we can do is offer testing to family members so that other family members can find out they have this condition and get the appropriate treatment," said UW Health Kids Cardiologist Dr. Amy Peterson.

Kids often show no signs or symptoms of high cholesterol.

Peterson says kids ages nine through 11 and 17 through 21 should get their cholesterol levels checked.

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