Atherosclerosis is the dangerous condition of hardened, narrowed arteries that is to blame for heart attacks and strokes. There are several key risk factors for developing atherosclerosis including high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and diabetes. Usually individuals are at increased risk in their adult years, but a new report to be presented at this coming American Heart Association meeting states that today children are showing signs of atherosclerosis.
How is it that children, even those as young as 5 years of age, are showing signs of narrowed arteries? The primary reason may lie with the epidemic of young people who are overweight or obese.
Children and teenagers today are overwhelmed with commercials and advertisements for processed and fast foods that are usually high in calories and fat and low in nutrients. As the standard diet has changed from the four food groups to fast food and soft drinks, many young Americans are obese.
With this rise in obesity there has also been a rise in the number of children and teenagers diagnosed with conditions usually first seen in later decades. Conditions such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and Type 2 diabetes are now being diagnosed in 10 year olds.
The report mentioned above is based on data gathered from more than 3,600 children age 5 thru 18 who underwent evaluation for blood vessel narrowing and heart disease risk factors.
Canadian researchers used the data to determine any signs that point to atherosclerosis in children with and without risk factors for heart disease.
Those children who were either overweight or obese, or who had high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or diabetes were more likely to show signs of narrowed arteries than children without risk factors.
The findings prompted the researchers to conclude that parents need to pay closer attention to the diet of their children and encourage healthy food choices and daily exercise to combat the development of heart disease and atherosclerosis.
Healthcare providers should also monitor dietary habits of children more carefully, and when needed order diagnostic testing when needed. This includes checking cholesterol in children and teenagers at risk, and those with a significant family history of heart disease.
Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on November 14, 2006 09:20 PM
