Preventing Heart Disease in Children: Tips for Maintaining Heart Health from an Early Age

Heart disease is no longer a problem only experienced by adults. More and more children are experiencing heart health problems, and this is a serious concern for parents and medical personnel. Therefore, it is important for us to know how to prevent heart disease in children from an early age. In this article, we will provide tips that can help maintain children's heart health.

1. Provide a healthy diet
A healthy diet is very important to maintain children's heart health. Make sure children get foods rich in fiber, vitamins and minerals. Avoid foods that contain excess saturated fat, sugar and salt. Provide foods that contain omega-3, such as fish, nuts and seeds. Apart from that, make sure children eat fresh fruits and vegetables every day.

2. Regular physical activity
Regular physical activity is very important for keeping children's hearts healthy. Invite the children to play outside, bike or swim. Limit time spent watching television or playing video games. Encourage children to exercise for at least 1 hour every day. Physical activity will help maintain a healthy weight, improve blood circulation, and strengthen the heart muscle.

3. Avoid passive smoking
Passive smoking can cause various health problems, including heart disease. So, make sure children are not exposed to cigarette smoke. If you or a family member smokes, do so outside the house or in a separate area. Don't let children be around people who are smoking.

4. Pay attention to sleep quality
Adequate and quality sleep is very important for children's heart health. Make sure children get enough sleep every night. Encourage them to sleep for 8-10 hours every day. Avoid the habit of watching television or using gadgets before bed, because this can interfere with sleep quality.

5. Limit consumption of sugar and fizzy drinks
Consuming excess sugar and fizzy drinks can increase the risk of heart disease in children. Limit consumption of sweet foods and fizzy drinks, and replace them with water or low-fat milk. Provide healthy snacks, such as fruit or nuts, as an alternative.

6. Regular health checks
Regular health checks are very important for early detection of heart health problems in children. If there is a history of heart disease in the family, immediately consult a doctor to ensure the child's heart health. In addition, make sure children get the necessary vaccinations to prevent infectious diseases that can affect heart health.

Preventing heart disease in children is a shared responsibility between parents and society. By following the tips above, we can help maintain children's heart health from an early age. Remember that prevention is always better than cure.

 

 

 

 

 

Reference :

fk.ui.Penyakit Jantung pada Anak(2022)
Universitas Gadjah Mada. Menjaga jantung dini sangat diperlukan(2021)
University Rochester medical center. Heart Disease Prevention Starts in Childhood