BEIJING, July 8 (Xinhuanet)-- Kids as young as eight should take cholesterol drugs to prevent them from getting heart disease, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommended as quoted by media reports on Monday.

    According to the academy, heart disease begins early in life. High-risk kids are those with a family history of high cholesterol or a family history of premature heart disease. Also included are kids who are overweight or who have high blood pressure or diabetes.

    The advisory rings the alarming bell to some parents who say they don't believe children should be taking drugs to lower their cholesterol.

    The Academy noted there's research showing cholesterol drugs are generally safe for children.

    Under the new guidelines, the drugs would be given to children as young as eight who have too much so-called "bad" cholesterol.

    The academy was also recommending cholesterol testing for children as young as two. The screening test, called a fasting lipid profile, measures a child's levels of "bad" LDL cholesterol, "good" HDL cholesterol, and blood fats (triglycerides).

    Doctors believe that before any drugs are prescribed, children need to make diet and lifestyle changes.

(Agencies)