Heart disease refers to several types of heart conditions, including coronary artery disease (CAD) and heart attack (CDC, 2021). The risk factors for heart disease include high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, smoking, diabetes, unhealthy diet, excessive alcohol use, obesity, and physical inactivity. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) living a healthy lifestyle will help keep your blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels normal and lower your risk for heart disease and heart attack.

Depending on the child’s stage of development, here are some key words you can use when explaining heart disease to children:
• Heart – a body part in the chest that pumps blood through your body
• Heart attack – when a blockage stops the blood from flowing to a part of the heart
• Arrhythmia – when the heart beats too fast or too slow

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the symptoms of heart disease include:
• Heart attack – chest pain or discomfort, upper back or neck pain, indigestion, heartburn, nausea or vomiting, extreme fatigue, upper body discomfort, dizziness, and shortness of breath
• Arrhythmia – palpitations
• Heart failure – shortness of breath, fatigue, or swelling of the feet, ankles, legs, abdomen, or neck veins

Heart Disease Facts from the CDC
• Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States.
• 1 in 4 deaths are due to heart disease.
• The most common type of heart disease in the United States is coronary artery disease (CAD).
• Nearly 47% of Americans have at least one of the three main risk factors of heart disease (high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, and smoking).

Resources

  1. Websites
    • https://www.heart.org/
    • https://theheartfoundation.org/
    • https://sitecoreprod.goredforwomen.org/en
    • https://world-heart-federation.org/
    • https://millionhearts.hhs.gov/
  2. Books
    • Reverse Heart Disease Now: Stop Deadly Cardiovascular Plaque Before It’s Too Late by Stephen Sinatra
    • Prevent And Reverse Heart Disease: The Revolutionary, Scientifically Proven, Nutrition-Based Cure by Caldwell B. Esselstyn Jr.
  3. Applications
    • PulsePoint Respond
    • Cardiio: Heart Rate Monitor
    • Kardia
    • Blood Pressure Tracker+

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References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2021). About heart disease. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/about.htm.