Bernard Allen
Question:585 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will carry out blood tests on school-going children which would detect high levels of cholesterol. [1355/01]
Written Answers. - Blood Tests.
Bernard Allen
Question:587 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children if he proposes to introduce a scheme whereby children and teenagers can be screened for early signs of heart disease. [1357/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 585 and 587 together.
"Building Healthier Hearts", the cardiovascular health strategy report, contains 211 recommendations aimed at reducing the incidence of cardiovascular disease in Ireland over the coming years. The report is being implemented in a planned and structured manner. The purpose of screening of school-going children or of adolescents would be to detect individuals with familial hypercholesterolamia, the major genetically-determined cause of raised cholesterol. When detected, the National Centre for Inherited Metabolic Diseases in Temple Street Children's Hospital provides specialist treatment services. At present, familial hypdercholesterolaemia is detected opportunistically when adults present for health screening or with symptoms. The advisory forum on cardiovascular health will consider the issue of screening of children and young people for this condition in the context of developing approaches to the assessment of high risk of cardiovascular disease in the general population.