Ask Brian Duncan, M.D., what parents can do to help their children grow up with strong, healthy hearts, and the pediatric cardiac surgeon doesn’t miss a beat. "Teach them to make good choices now," he says. "It’ll keep them healthier later on."
To foster a commitment to health that lasts long into adulthood, Dr. Duncan offers the following tips:
Help your child develop a healthy lifestyle.
"Many heart problems come about because of lifelong bad habits," Dr. Duncan says. "Parents need to understand what a healthy lifestyle means for their individual child. That means taking into account factors ranging from family history to all aspects of the child’s growth and development."
Help your child develop a love of exercise and activity
"Lead by example," Dr. Duncan says. "Being active helps control weight, regulate blood pressure and raise the levels of good cholesterol in the body. If your kids grow up seeing you participating in and enjoying things like walking, jogging and playing softball, they will tend to take part in and enjoy these healthy activities, too." The American Heart Association recommends at least an hour of moderate to intense physical activity every day to promote cardiovascular health.
Teach your child to eat "heart smart."
"Parents don’t have to ban foods that are high in fat," Dr. Duncan says, "but they should be eaten only in small amounts and as part of a balanced diet that stresses fruits and vegetables." Multivitamins are a good idea for most children, he adds, "But they can’t make up for unhealthy eating habits."
Although undiagnosed heart disease is rare in teens, it does happen, Dr. Duncan says. For that reason, it’s important that school-age athletes get required physicals and complete their school’s pre-participation questionnaires before they join school sports programs.
Signs that may indicate potential heart issues for young athletes include dizziness, sensations of rapid or irregular heartbeat, chest pain and lethargy, or an overall lack of energy. "Even in these cases, it’s more likely there will be some other cause besides serious heart disease," Dr. Duncan says.
"With proper care," he adds, "kids will grow up with hearts that will serve them well throughout their childhood and beyond."
Web Extra! Healthful Snacks for Kids
No need to skimp on nutrition, even when time is short. Treat your kids to these nutrition-packed snacks when they’re on the go. Listen to or download this podcast.
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This information is provided by the Cleveland Clinic and is not intended to replace the medical advice of your doctor or health care provider. Please consult your health care provider for advice about a specific medical condition. This document was last reviewed on: 9/1/2007
