Risk Factors For Childhood Heart Disease

Heart disease is not a major cause of death among children and teenagers, but it is the largest cause of death among adults in the United States. Promoting a healthy lifestyle at a young age can improve your child’s chances of staying a healthy adult and prevent heart disease in their future.
 
Researchers have found certain “risk factors” that play an important role in a person's chances of developing heart disease. Most of the risk factors that affect children can be controlled early in life, lowering the risk of heart disease later.
  
Children and teens can reduce their chance for heart disease by changing or controlling the following “risk factors:”

• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Obesity
• Physical inactivity
• Smoking

Prevention is the best way to avoid a heart problem later in life.