Yes — high cholesterol is not just an older person's disease. Children and young people can suffer from it especially with genetics or obesity.
Causes of High Lipids in Youth:
- Familial Hypercholesterolemia (FH): Genetic condition affecting 1 in 250 people — causes very high LDL from birth.
- Childhood obesity: Has risen significantly in Jordan — fast food and soft drinks.
- Sedentary lifestyle: Phone screens and gaming instead of outdoor play.
- Hypothyroidism: May cause high lipids in young people.
Why Early Detection Matters:
- Atherosclerosis begins in the 20s — silent accumulation for years.
- Early detection = early intervention = protection from heart attack in the 40s.
- FH without treatment: heart attack risk in 30s or 40s.
When to Test Children:
- Ages 9-11: First test.
- If a parent has cholesterol above 240.
- If the child has obesity.
At BEIT TARIQ Center, we test lipids for the whole family when elevation is discovered in one member.