Children and Heart Disease: What's Wrong With This Picture?
As more children become obese, pediatric heart disease is becoming more common.
Questions to Ask Your Doctor About Childhood Heart Disease
Worried about your child's risk for getting heart disease? Here are some questions you can ask your pediatrician:
• Is my child's weight healthy?
"We've lost track of what is normal weight," says Kimball. Your child's BMI should be calculated beginning at age 2, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. A healthy weight is between the fifth percentile and the 85th percentile, depending on age and sex.
• Should my child's cholesterol levels be checked?
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, children with a family history of high cholesterol or heart disease, children with risk factors such as obesity or diabetes, and children whose family history is unknown should all be screened for high cholesterol. Screening should be done after age 2 but before age 10.
• What is my child's blood pressure?
This is especially important to know, Kimball says, if your child is overweight. "Obesity begets hypertension," he says.
• Should I test my child for diabetes?
An overweight child is at risk for type 2 diabetes, which, left untreated, can lead to multiple health problems, including heart disease.