Although heart attacks are scary for all age groups, the rate of occurrence in young people and children has increased compared to the past. In this content, we explained the causes and symptoms of childhood heart attacks and what can be done to prevent them, in the light of the information we received from doctors.
Our heart constantly pumps blood. Meeting the nutritional and oxygen needs of the cells in our body is very important for organs and tissues to perform their functions. Therefore, the heart, as we all know, it is a vital organ A heart attack occurs when blood cannot be pumped to the heart.
Although heart attacks were previously associated with old age, unfortunately, the age at which heart attacks occur has now dropped considerably. Even seen in childhood Most sudden deaths are caused by heart diseases stems from. So what exactly are the reasons why children have heart attacks?
The causes of heart attacks in children may vary depending on age group.
Prof. Dr. According to Mustafa Koray Lenk, it is more common in children under the age of two. heart-related structural disorders can be seen. Afterwards, conditions in which the heart muscle weakens or thickens, rhythm disorders and genetic diseases may occur.
Failure to check-ups in children with congenital heart abnormalities may increase the risk of heart attack.
If a child has a congenital heart abnormality, anatomical disorders in the heart and vascular structures If there is any heart disease, it is necessary to check it regularly.
Also, if there is a history of heart disease or heart attack in your first-degree family, If blood lipids are high in the family and the child (triglyceride, cholesterol), which may increase the risk of heart attack in children. Routine checks are vital in this context.
Young athletes should pay extra attention.
Because of an abnormal gene, the child’s heart muscle may become thicker and harder to pump blood. to work hard it is difficult. Over time, an irregular heart rhythm develops. This condition, called “hypertrophic cardiomyopathy”, can cause sudden heart-related death in children and young athletes. For this reason, it is beneficial for children to have their heart checked before starting any sport.
The body’s immune system can also damage the heart muscle.
Rarely, some children have infections due to a viral infection, the common cold, rhinovirus, enterovirus, or coronavirus. having an immune response myocarditis (a type of inflammation of the heart muscle) may develop.
This is approximately every year one or two in a hundred thousand children is seen. As the immune system tries to fight the infection, it can damage the heart and unfortunately result in sudden death.
The role of diet on heart attack cannot be underestimated.
According to remarkable data for our country, the region where deaths due to heart attacks are most common is the Black Sea, and the region where they are least common is the Mediterranean. So what does this data tell us? Differences in nutrition. Animal foods and fats such as butter, frying and meat products made with these oils against the Black Sea, the region where it is consumed the most; The region where olive oil and vegetable products are consumed the most is the Mediterranean.
In addition, heart diseases, which have been found to increase rapidly in industrialized countries where refined products are consumed the most, are another evidence. Here are all these signs, unbalanced and malnutrition It shows that it is one of the main causes of heart diseases. If we do not feed children consciously, heart attacks may occur at an early age.
Other causes of heart attack in childhood are as follows:
- severe anemia
- Genetically transmitted Mediterranean anemia
- Malnutrition becomes evident in situations that increase the oxygen requirement of the heart muscle, such as exercise
So how do we know if a child is having a heart attack?
- chest pain
- fainting during exercise
- rapid breathing
- Anorexia
- arrhythmia
- Shortness of breath
- Pain in left arm
How to prevent heart attack in children?
- nutritious foods, balanced with fruits and vegetables eating meals.
- Doing thirty minutes of physical activity daily.
- Establishing a good sleep routine.
- Going for an annual checkup.
- In family history To find out if you have heart disease.
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