Chapter 4 - Heart Health and Children

Abstract

The problem of the early development of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors is negatively affecting the nation's health and placing a tremendous burden on the economy. Early identification and reduction of risk for CVD in children and adolescents has the potential to reduce the burden of adult cardiovascular disease. Improvements in the current status of health among US children in the areas of tobacco smoke exposure, diet, physical activity levels, serum lipid and blood sugar levels, and blood pressure have the potential to decrease the future proportion of American adults affected by CVD. By identifying cardiovascular risk factors early in life, primary health-care providers have opportunity to educate parents about lifestyle choices that promote heart health. The objective of this review is to provide current evidence and best practices for the identification of children at risk for the development of CVD. Updated information regarding lifestyle changes, parental roles, and prevention strategies for heart health is provided. The review concludes the importance of optimizing long-term heart health beginning in childhood by limiting exposure to tobacco smoke, improving diet and exercise habits, improving child weight, and monitoring child blood pressure, cholesterol, and glucose levels. Activities that prevent (primordial prevention) or reduce (primary prevention) the development of modifiable CVD risk factors, are centered in the family unit, and the primary care providers that identify and treat them (secondary prevention). Families, health-care systems, and community all have significant roles to play in CVD prevention and risk reduction in children.