Heart disease is increasing at an unprecedented rate, especially among young adults. But heart diseases do not spare even small children. To understand the cardiovascular risks, HT Lifestyle spoke to Dr Chandan Saurav Mahapatro, Consultant, Interventional Cardiology at Manipal Hospital, Hebbal, Bengaluru. While one might think that heart problems might be a middle-aged concern, Dr. Mahapatro highlights a worrying reality and says, “Heart problems are not age related. Even children are affected by serious heart problems.”
As explained by the cardiologist, heart problems in children are classified into congenital heart defects and lifestyle induced heart problems. As a parent, it is important to know about these categories and signs to seek immediate medical care.
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Congenital Heart Defect (CHD)
The first category of heart problems in children is congenital heart defects. Describing the causes, the cardiologist shared, “These are structural defects in the heart and are present at birth. These conditions are not usually caused by lifestyle or parenting choices.”
Genetics play a big role in shaping congenital heart defects. “These are most often caused by genetic issues, or by issues during fetal development, such as maternal illness (rubella), certain medications during pregnancy, poorly controlled diabetes, alcohol use, or family history,” Dr. Mahapatro said.
Health issues or lifestyle factors that the mother may experience during pregnancy can affect the development of the fetus, leading to structural defects in the heart. Here structural defect means a physical problem in the anatomy of the heart, how the heart is formed. When the heart’s shape or structure is not normal, blood flow or basic functions may be affected.
But severity in the early years is rare, as only 1 percent of infants with CHD require surgery within the first year of life, according to cardiologists. Mild cases require only medications and medical care.
Dr Mahapatro explains some of the common warning signs of CHD that parents should know, “Some of the warning signs of CHD include rapid breathing, bluish discoloration of the skin (cyanosis), difficulty in feeding, stunted growth and low weight gain.”
Lifestyle induced heart problems
The second category is lifestyle-induced heart problems. “Lifestyle-induced cardiovascular problems develop over time, often a result of modern lifestyles. Poor eating habits, lack of physical activity, increased childhood obesity and even stress can contribute to high blood pressure, cholesterol problems and early signs of heart disease in young people,” said Dr Mahapatro.
In other words, not all heart problems are inherited or present from birth; Some develop due to poor lifestyle choices.
While CHD requires immediate care, lifestyle-induced heart problems pose a greater risk in adulthood. “Lifestyle-induced heart problems may not cause immediate concern like CHD; they create a gradual risk, which can lead to serious complications during adulthood,” the cardiologist warned.
He stressed that parents should encourage children to be physically active and eat nutritionally balanced meals to protect heart health.
Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions you may have about a medical condition.
