Heart Disease Can Begin in Childhood

In this era of video games and VCRs, children are spending more time playing games on screen and less time playing games in the yard. This increasingly sedentary lifestyle, combined with poor eating habits, puts children at risk for long-term health problems, especially cardiovascular disease.

The National Center for Health Statistics says cardiovascular disease is the number one killer of both men and women in the United States. Cardiovascular disease, which includes heart disease, stroke and other illnesses involving the heart and circulatory system, accounts for about 950,000 deaths each year, representing more than 40 percent of total deaths from all causes. Together, heart disease and stroke cost the state more than $9 billion a year, which totals more than $500 per Texan.

Though biology plays a role in the development of cardiovascular disease, behavior is even more influential. The physicians of the Texas Medical Association are concerned that even as health officials bombard the public with information about cardiovascular disease, people continue to engage in high-risk behaviors. A number of recent studies have revealed that Americans are smoking more, eating more and exercising less.

These risky behaviors often begin early in life, with children developing habits that result in serious health problems when they are adults.

"The process that leads to cardiovascular disease can begin as young as age three," says TMA President Dr. Jim Rohack, who is also a cardiologist. "Based on the food they eat and their level of exercise, children can develop plaque in their arteries at a very young age. However, good diet and exercise can prevent, or at least delay, the onset of cardiovascular disease. It's never too early to start."

The physicians of the TMA urge parents to help their children develop good habits and become heart-smart while they are young.

Encourage children to eat a variety of foods from the four food groups: grains, vegetables and fruits, milk products, and meats or nuts. Provide them with healthy foods, use salt and sugars in moderation and reduce the amount of fat and cholesterol in their diets.

Children need to be active at least 30 minutes a day, either through sports or play. Encourage your child to participate in physical activities, including walking, running, swimming, bicycle riding, dancing, and team sports. Not only will these activities keep your child in shape, but he or she also will develop skills that carry into adulthood.

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©2006 Texas Medical Center

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