In addition to treating kids and teens with heart problems, we also work to prevent heart disease. We do this through preventative cardiology programs like the Lipid Clinic, where we help kids and their families make choices that lead to happy, healthy and productive lives.
About the Lipid Clinic at Children's Hospital Colorado
The Lipid Clinic is a heart disease prevention program. The goal of the Lipid Clinic is to help prevent children from developing heart disease and diabetes. We work with kids and teens at risk for these diseases by helping them identify and manage high cholesterol and high triglycerides (buildup inside the heart’s arteries known as “lipids”).
What are lipid disorders?
Lipid disorders are problems that affect the way cholesterol is produced, used, carried in the blood, or disposed of by the body. People with lipid disorders usually have very high "bad" cholesterol levels (known as LDL), very low “good” cholesterol levels (known as HDL), and/or high triglyceride levels. People with lipid disorders are at risk of developing heart disease and diabetes – which is why prevention is so important.
How does the Lipid Clinic help make healthier hearts?
We believe that if we can help kids be healthier now, they will have a chance for a healthier future. To treat kids at risk for heart disease and diabetes, we start by encouraging healthy lifestyle changes like increasing exercise, improving diet and managing weight.
In general, we consider medication only when lifestyle changes are not successful. Medication may be needed for some patients, particularly those with a strong family history of abnormal cholesterol or triglycerides in the blood.
Do all kids need lipid screening?
At Children’s Hospital Colorado, we recommend screening all kids and adolescents who have a family history of heart disease or lipid abnormalities. We also recommend screening for children who have other risk factors such as obesity, hypertension or diabetes.
What to expect during your visit to the Lipid Clinic
At your first appointment, we’ll start by retesting your child’s lipid profile labs. We’ll then review the information you will receive prior to the visit, including a family history questionnaire and your child’s three-day food diary.
How long will it take?
After we finish your child’s tests at the first appointment, your family will spend about one hour with a pediatric cardiologist and one hour with a dietitian. You should plan on your first visit taking about 2½ hours.
Follow-up visits usually last 30 minutes to an hour. The amount of time between visits varies depending on your child’s lipid levels, medication and other medical concerns.
Location and referral information
The Lipid Clinic is located at Children’s Hospital Colorado's Outpatient Cardiology Clinic at the Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora, Colorado. Please note that a referral by your child’s primary care doctor is required. We will also need all lab results and your child’s most recent physical exam records prior to making your first appointment.
Learn more about your visit to the Heart Institute.