Rise in Cardiovascular disease in children
An article written in US Pharmacist discusses the rise of cardiovascular disease in children. I hope this is a shocking statement. It needs to be a shocking statement because it is scary to think that the children of the next generation will be dying of adult diseases before they reach adulthood. The risk factors for cardiovascular disease that we physicians are starting to see in children are overweight and obesity, metabolic syndrome and diabetes. Obesity and metabolic syndrome both have links to abnormal lipid profiles (increases in triglycerides and LDL cholesterol “bad cholesterol” and decrease in the HDL cholesterol “good cholesterol”). The increase in abnormal cholesterol creates fatty streaks in children and progresses to blood vessel disease in adulthood. These fatty streaks can lead to deadly diseases like heart attacks and strokes.
What does all this mean for our children? It means that we have to start with health-based interventions now. Overweight, obesity, metabolic syndrome, diabetes and fatty streaks are all problems that can be prevented and managed through behavioral changes and lifestyle. We have to teach our children that eating healthy and exercise are part of a balanced enjoyable life.
