Natasha Noel, MD, is a pediatric cardiologist who’s been treating children with heart issues for more than a decade.

But in the past few years, Dr. Noel has seen a spike in high cholesterol with several kids she cares for. 

“It’s the diet with respect to fast foods, and the climate, especially in Illinois. Our long winter months mean less physical activity for the kids,” explains Dr. Noel. “There is a greater awareness of this condition, and young adults experiencing sudden cardiac death. It all goes hand in hand.”

With those factors in mind, OSF HealthCare Children’s Hospital of Illinois has opened its first pediatric lipid clinic at its location in Rockford at 444 Roxbury Road. The program is led by Dr. Noel, who is board certified in clinical lipidology.

The clinic specializes in caring for children with cholesterol concerns, focusing on lifestyle changes, nutrition counseling with dietitians, genetic testing and lipid testing as needed. The clinic offers in-person and telehealth visits.

The bottom line, says Dr. Noel, adults aren’t the only ones who experience high cholesterol.

“Children can have high cholesterol as adults, and it could lead to early cardiac disease over time,” says Dr. Noel. “But once found and diagnosed, there is management available. So, I say don't delay (seeking treatment).”

Cholesterol and triglycerides are fats, or lipids, in the blood. Dr. Noel says the body needs lipids and cholesterol, but at high levels it could cause damage, especially heart disease as the years go on.

A simple blood test can determine the child’s cholesterol results. It's recommended that children are screened or have their lipid levels checked between the ages of nine to 11, and then again at 17 to 21. However, Dr. Noel adds that if there are specific risk factors, then screening may occur more often or earlier, sometimes as early as age two. 

Genetic testing is important when it comes to diagnosing a familial lipid disorder.

“Screening is needed to identify that something is wrong and abnormal, because most of these kids are asymptomatic. Genetic testing comes in handy if we suspect something inherited like familial hypercholesterolemia,” says Dr. Noel. “It also helps us guide management as needed.”

Risk Factors 

Risk factors include genetics, diet and physical activity. Obesity, diabetes and lack of sleep can also increase cholesterol levels. If cholesterol problems are untreated, it can lead to plaque in the coronary arteries, which leads to cardiac disease and atherosclerosis (the buildup of fats, cholesterol and other substances in and on the artery walls).

Depending on the cause and severity, the treatment plan includes lifestyle and dietary changes, more physical activity and then medication.

Dr. Noel stresses that abnormal test results don’t always mean a child is ill or requires medication. That’s why she encourages daily physical activity at least three to five days a week. Walking, biking and swimming are some of the activities that can lower a child’s risk of cardiovascular disease.

Diet is another important factor. Parents can help their children by encouraging food low in total fat, limiting saturated fats, avoiding full-fat dairy and eating enough fiber. Vegetables, fruits and whole grains are all great options to increase daily fiber intake.

A primary care provider can perform the initial screening and if there is a concern, a referral will be made to a pediatric cardiologist. “I think most of them are comfortable with us taking over that care, especially if medication is needed,” says Dr. Noel.

For more information on cardiology or other child-related issues, visit the OSF Children’s Hospital of Illinois website. 

 

Interview Clips 

B-Roll 

Are you the type of person who can’t wait to kickstart your day with that piping-hot cup of coffee in the morning? If so, there’s good news for you.

According to a recent study published in the European Heart Journal, one perk of morning coffee is it’s healthier for you than any other part of the day.

Early risers – coffee connoisseurs who pour their first cup of java between 4 a.m. and noon – have a 16% lower chance of dying from any cause compared to non-coffee drinkers.

According to the study, coffee drinkers also had a 31% lower risk of dying from heart disease compared to non-coffee drinkers.

“The study identified that one of the aspects of coffee lowers inflammation, and we have more inflammation in the morning. And so that's why the benefit was shown in this study,” says Nancy Dagefoerde, a nurse practitioner with OSF HealthCare Cardiovascular Institute. “I do agree that that's a good benefit of drinking coffee in the morning.”

The findings were the result of work done by researchers from Tulane University who analyzed dietary and health data from 40,000 adults between 1999 and 2018. The research team studied two groups – morning-only coffee drinkers and all-day coffee drinkers.

Researchers focused on patterns of drinking coffee throughout the day rather than the amount of coffee consumed. Dagefoerde recommends drinking no more than two or three cups a day.

Another important aspect of coffee is how it’s made. Past studies have shown evidence of a link between coffee brewing methods, heart attacks and longevity. For example, unfiltered coffee that’s boiled contains higher amounts of chemicals that can raise triglyceride levels and low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels.

“Filtered coffee is more beneficial. Boiled can actually be more harmful. There are many compounds in coffee that are beneficial to health in general,” says Dagefoerde. 

But a cup of brew isn’t everything when it comes to heart health. Dagefoerde says there are other things you should be doing including exercising, treating your blood pressure and cholesterol.

“Coffee can lower inflammation, increase your metabolism and decrease the absorption of fats,” she adds. “But you definitely want to work on all your risk factors, not just drinking coffee.”

It’s better to drink black coffee, but if you take it with sugar or cream, make sure you are using the ones that are as healthy as possible such as unsweetened almond milk, raw honey or cinnamon. Cream adds 50 calories and three grams of saturated fat per tablespoon. And a teaspoon of sugar contains 16 calories, which adds up quickly.

Dagefoerde says while the studies are encouraging, it doesn’t mean you should race to your local coffee shop and start guzzling mugs of java purely for the health benefits.

“Coffee is popular in our nation, and in many countries. And the social aspect is nice too,” she says. “But don’t overdo it, and just know the risks if you do.”


 

Interview Clips 

B-roll

Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States. That’s from a new study in Circulation, a journal published by the American Heart Association (AHA).

According to the AHA, 941,00 people died from heart disease in the U.S. in 2022. Cancer deaths are second followed by accidental deaths.

Nancy Dagefoerde is a nurse practitioner with OSF HealthCare Cardiovascular Institute who closely monitors these trends. While the findings weren’t surprising, Dagefoerde says it’s a great reminder to patients and clinicians that heart health remains a top priority.

“It gives us information to talk to our patients about and for the public to see things that they might want to work on,” she says. “I think many people are concerned about other illnesses like cancer, but then we have these reports that tell us heart disease is still leading cause of death.” 

There are several risk factors for heart disease. The greatest risk is genetics, followed by threats that are preventable such as diabetes, high cholesterol and blood pressure, stress, lack of exercise and obesity. Nearly 47% of U.S. adults have high blood pressure, 57% have Type 2 diabetes or prediabetes and 42% have obesity.

And the risks impact all ethnicities, but some more than others.

“For example, many Hispanics are higher risk for diabetes,” says Dagefoerde. “African American women tend to have higher risk for obesity and hypertension. So, we really need to target those risks and realize that these are some things that we can work on to prevent that risk.”

There is, however, some good news.

High cholesterol rates have declined over the past few years. Dagefoerde credits that to more awareness about diet and lifestyle factors, as well as medications used to control cholesterol. And smoking rates are also on the decline. That includes both cigarettes and e-cigarette use.

“I was pleased to see that the smoking rates and vaping rates were down, and not only for adults but teenagers,” she says. “As for cholesterol, we have good treatment plans that are being utilized. Those are two very important things that are exciting.”

While there has been some progress, experts warn that if recent trends continue, hypertension, obesity and diabetes will reach staggering numbers. This will greatly impact people’s health as they age.

Dagefoerde adds that 80% of heart problems can be prevented. It starts by working on lifestyle issues – diet, exercise, sleep, no smoking and limit your alcohol consumption. It starts by educating yourself and working with your doctor to develop a plan.

“Bottom line, know your numbers, know your risks,” Dagefoerde says. “If you have a family risk, then you're going to be more diligent with working on your risk factors. And when I say know your numbers, you want to know your blood pressure, your blood sugar and your cholesterol levels. Those are some things that you and your health care provider can work on and when they make recommendations, listen to them, ask questions and work together on a good treatment plan that you're comfortable with.”

Because heart disease remains the number one killer, more reason everyone should know how to do CPR and be prepared to know where defibrillators are when you’re at a public event. Download the PulsePoint app to see where defibrillators are located.

For more information on heart and vascular services, visit the OSF HealthCare Cardiovascular Institute website.

Interview Clips