Pediatric Heart Health Education

What Is Cardiovascular Disease?

Cardiovascular disease refers to damage in your child’s heart muscle. It is either present at birth, or caused by a build-up of fat cells that partially or completely close off your child’s arteries. These blockages cut off important blood flow to the heart, damaging its muscle.

Several heart conditions fall under the umbrella of heart disease. But in children, there are two common forms of heart disease:

  • Congenital heart disease is any heart problem a child is born with. These problems develop before the child is born. Certain factors, like smoking during pregnancy, can contribute to congenital heart disease in a child. But sometimes, there is no way to prevent congenital heart disease. However, it can be treated and managed. Our specialists are experts at helping children with congenital heart disease live full, active lives.
  • Acquired heart disease develops over time. It is often a result of unhealthy eating habits and an inactive lifestyle. Acquired heart disease is very common among adults in the United States, and is starting to affect more and more kids. Acquired heart disease is preventable. That’s why it’s important that your child establishes healthy eating and exercise habits early in life.

What are the symptoms of Cardiovascular Disease in children?

Your child may not show signs or symptoms of heart disease, but your child’s doctor can check for it. For example, your child’s doctor can check for high blood pressure and high cholesterol, which can cause acquired heart disease.

However, kids don’t always have signs and symptoms of high blood pressure and high cholesterol. It's important to have your child’s blood pressure and cholesterol checked routinely. Results from these tests can help your child’s doctor determine whether your child has or will develop heart disease.

Your child’s doctor may also want to record the sound of your child’s heart or take images of it to check for any disease or defects. All of these tests are non-invasive, meaning they do not hurt but they may make your child uncomfortable or require that they stay still for extended periods of time.

What causes Pediatric Cardiovascular Disease?

Certain risk factors may lead to heart disease for your child. If your child has risk factors for heart disease, they should have their blood pressure and cholesterol checked routinely. The most common youth risk factors for acquired heart disease include:

  • Obesity
  • Physical inactivity
  • High blood pressure
  • High cholesterol
  • Smoking or vaping
  • Chronic health issues, such as diabetes, kidney disease, inflammatory diseases (such as arthritis or IBS), and Kawasaki’s disease
  • Some childhood cancer treatments

Sometimes children with heart problems need surgery to correct their heart issues. Occasionally, complications from these surgeries can lead to heart disease in children. But these complications can be managed, too.

What can I do to lower my child’s risk of Heart Disease?

Establishing healthy habits early in life is the best way for children to avoid heart disease both in childhood and later in their adult life.

The best way to instill healthy habits in your child is to do them all as a family. When your whole family is eating well, maintaining an active lifestyle, and avoiding smoking, your child will be more motivated and supported to develop habits that help keep their heart healthy.

Exercise

Your child should try to move their body for about 30 minutes 3–4 times each week. You can help by encouraging your child to try different group sports or outdoor activities with their peers. YouTube also offers countless free, fun, kid-friendly workouts that can keep your child moving at home. Incorporating movement while watching TV is also an option. Jumping jacks or marching in place during commercials can help get your child moving on a regular basis.

Exercise

Your child should try to move their body for about 30 minutes 3–4 times each week. You can help by encouraging your child to try different group sports or outdoor activities with their peers. YouTube also offers countless free, fun, kid-friendly workouts that can keep your child moving at home. Incorporating movement while watching TV is also an option. Jumping jacks or marching in place during commercials can help get your child moving on a regular basis.

Avoid smoking

Both smoking and vaping contribute to heart disease. Explaining the risks involved with this habit and helping your child avoid it is a great way to lower their risk for developing heart disease.

If you have questions or need more ideas, ask your pediatrician how to lower your child’s risk of heart disease.

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