Overview

What is Pediatric Atherosclerosis?

Atherosclerosis occurs when the arteries harden and narrow due to plaque made of fat and cholesterol. This condition increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, and cardiac arrest. Just like adults, children can have atherosclerosis, but it often doesn't show symptoms in kids as it does in adults.

Arteries are tiny tubes that carry blood from the heart to the rest of the body. When these tubes narrow, they don't transport blood as well. The plaque buildup can lead to various heart health problems.

The good news is that, for most children with atherosclerosis, the damage to their arteries is mild. With treatment, the progression of the disease can slow down or even improve.

How common is atherosclerosis in children?

It occurs in adolescents more than in adults and is quite a common disease.

What are the symptoms of atherosclerosis in children?

Since it usually does not have symptoms in its initial stages, atherosclerosis is often referred to as a "silent disease".

The specific symptoms of atherosclerosis in children are:

• Chest pain, or angina, shortness of breath, tiredness, feeling faint or dizzy, pain in the arms, neck, jaw, back.
• Leg pain, cramping, or weakness when walking (claudication), impassiveness or chinking in the legs or bases, blisters that do not heal well.
• High blood pressure, order failure (in severe cases).

What Causes Paediatric Atherosclerosis?

Paediatric Atherosclerosis develops due to several conditions. The most important culprits are listed below-

• High triglycerides & cholesterol: Triglycerides and cholesterol are types of fat in the blood that help convert food into energy. However, having high levels of them can lead to plaque buildup, which can clog arteries.
• Obesity: Certain factors can increase blood pressure and blood sugar levels. They can also raise cholesterol, inflame the arteries, and cause other heart and vascular problems.
• Depression and Bipolar Disorder: Depression and anxiety can lead to heart disease. They can change how your heart beats, raise your blood pressure, affect blood clotting, and impact insulin and cholesterol levels.
• Chemotherapy: Some chemotherapy treatments can harm the heart and blood vessels.
• Chronic Kidney Disease: This disease is linked to cardiovascular diseases.
• Kawasaki disease: It causes inflammation of blood vessels throughout the body.
• High Blood pressure: It is also known as Hypertension, damages the lining of the arteries and makes them susceptible to plaque.
• Diabetes: High Sugar levels in the blood can damage blood vessels.
• Smoking and Second-hand smoke: damages the lining of the arteries, making them susceptible to fatty buildup.
• Family history: Heart disease can run in families.
• Heart transplant: This procedure can lead to problems with the heart and blood vessels.

What is the diagnosis for Paediatric Atherosclerosis?

Pediatric atherosclerosis can be challenging to detect in young children as damage accumulates over time. Doctors evaluate children for risk factors by:

• Testing blood for triglyceride and cholesterol levels.
• Inquiring about the family history of heart problems.
• Suggesting genetic testing.

Some children might not be diagnosed until their teenage years, when the condition has already impacted their arteries and heart. For diagnosed children, cardiac imaging may be recommended to assess treatment effectiveness.

Many children with atherosclerosis may not exhibit symptoms. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential to prevent future health issues and potentially slow or reverse damage.

How is Paediatric Atherosclerosis treated?

Our goal is to help lower your child’s cholesterol levels to treat pediatric atherosclerosis. This will likely include:

• Healthy Lifestyle Habits: Following a healthy diet can help lower your child’s cholesterol by reducing the amount of fats that enter their bloodstream. Regular exercise will help your child use up any fats that do enter their bloodstream before they build up into plaque. Our nutrition experts will work with your child to create a meal plan that suits their tastes and routine.
• Statins: These are medications that can be prescribed by a doctor or bought over the counter. They help lower cholesterol and reduce swelling in your child’s arteries. Statins usually have no or very few side effects when used long-term. They are an effective way to promote your child’s health, and your child can safely take these medications into adulthood.
• Treatment Plan: Our specialists will work with your child to create a customized treatment plan that meets their needs and preferences, increasing the chances of success. We will see your child every 6 months for the first year of their care. After that, we will schedule annual visits to ensure the treatment is working effectively.

Can early atherosclerosis be reversed in children?

Yes. The child will always have to take the medications, however, treating kids early on in childhood offers a chance to reverse the disease over time and eventually stop it from causing any damage to your child's heart and arteries.

But if we can treat kids before plaque forms, we are potentially able to completely reverse the disease. Once that plaque starts forming in your child's arteries because of atherosclerosis, it becomes much harder to break it down and reverse that progression.

Why Tender Palm Super-Speciality Hospital for Pediatric Atherosclerosis?

Tender Palm Hospital has most experienced team of Pediatric Cardiologists, Pediatric Cardiac Surgeons and diagnostics with latest and International standard infection control measures in Lucknow, India. Pediatric cardiac science centre team has decades of experience in successfully treating Pediatric Atherosclerosis.

To seek an expert consultation for Pediatric Atherosclerosis in Lucknow, India

Call us at +91-9076972161
Email at care@tenderpalm.com

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