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At Matthews Internal Medicine, one area we tend to focus on is preventative medicine. Preventing a disease is easier than treating it later, and sometimes all it takes is some simple lifestyle changes to really make a huge difference. Naturally, one ailment we receive a lot of questions about is heart disease. This is one of the leading causes of death for both men and women, and taking the steps to try and prevent it is well worth it.
Some people wonder how early they need to start thinking about preventative medicine and heart disease. For example, we’ve been asked if children can actually end up getting heart disease. If so, there would be very little time to try and prevent it. Let’s take a look at the common risk factors for heart disease and if they can be found in children or teenagers. Then let’s see why that might be the case.
High Blood Pressure
This is one of the leading risk factors for heart disease. High blood pressure, or hypertension, is rare in children but still a serious issue. It likely causes no obvious symptoms, but it could still be raising the child’s risk of developing heart disease later in life.
If there has been a family history of blood pressure, it could be wise to have your child’s blood pressure monitored. There are also other diseases that can cause higher blood pressure, resulting in a condition known as secondary hypertension. In any case, it’s a good idea to talk to a medical professional who can closely track your child’s blood pressure and ensure that you’re taking the right steps for heart disease prevention. Most of the time, some simple lifestyle changes like an increase in physical activity and a decrease in salt intake could help lower your child’s blood pressure.
Cholesterol
High cholesterol levels can be another harbinger of heart disease. While this is still rare in children, it’s a bit more common than high blood pressure is. Plaque buildup in the arteries can start early and cause later issues, including heart disease.
Like high blood pressure, high cholesterol can also be hereditary. Obesity is a risk factor as well. Actually, even high blood pressure can lead to elevated cholesterol levels, giving you two different heart disease risks to deal with. It’s recommended that your child is tested for high cholesterol and then makes some lifestyle changes if they’re diagnosed. More exercise and a diet rich in whole grains can help, as can properly controlling any other risk factor that can be linked to heart disease.
Obesity
Obesity is another risk factor for heart disease. Unfortunately, childhood obesity is becoming a larger problem with more children and teens packing on extra pounds. Talking to a doctor, determining if your child is obese, and making a plan to solve this problem now is a good idea. Otherwise, adult obesity and the increased risk of heart disease could be in their near future.
Schedule an Appointment
While children and teens are unlikely to develop heart disease, it’s never too early to start trying to prevent it. Contacting our preventative medicine experts at (704) 750-2329 can help.