Our heart is constantly pumping blood. Meeting the nutritional and oxygen needs of the cells in our body is of great importance for the organs and tissues to fulfill their functions. Therefore, as we all know, the heart 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 dropped significantly. Even seen in childhood Most sudden deaths are caused by heart disease descended from. So what exactly are the reasons why children have heart attacks?

The causes of heart attacks in children can vary depending on the age group.

Prof. Dr. According to Mustafa Koray Lenk, it occurs more often in children under two years of age. heart-related structural disorders can be seen. Subsequently, conditions may occur in which the heart muscle weakens or thickens, arrhythmias and genetic diseases occur.

Failure to perform check-ups in children with congenital heart defects can increase the risk of a heart attack.

If a child has a congenital heart defect, anatomical disorders in the heart and vascular structures If there is a heart condition, it is necessary to monitor 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 child (triglycerides, cholesterol), which may increase the risk of heart attack in children. Routine checks are crucial in this context.

Young athletes must pay extra attention.

Because of an abnormal gene, the child’s heart muscle may become thicker and make it harder to pump blood. hard work 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 helpful 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. have an immune response myocarditis (a type of inflammation of the heart muscle) may develop.

This is about 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 lead to sudden death.

The role of nutrition in a heart attack cannot be underestimated.

According to remarkable data for our country, the region where deaths from heart attacks are most common is the Black Sea, and the region where they are least common is the Mediterranean Sea. 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 most consumed; The region where olive oil and vegetable products are most consumed is the Mediterranean.

Furthermore, heart disease, which has been found to be increasing rapidly in the industrialized countries where refined products are most consumed, is another evidence. Here are all these signs, imbalance and malnutrition It shows that it is one of the leading causes of heart disease. If we do not consciously feed children, heart attacks can occur at an early age.

Other causes of heart attack during childhood include:

• severe anemia
• Genetically transmitted Mediterranean anemia
• Malnutrition manifests itself in situations where the oxygen demand of the heart muscle increases, such as during exercise

So how do we know if a child is having a heart attack?

• chestpain
• fainting during exertion
• breathing quickly
• Anorexia
• arrhythmia
• Shortness of breath
• Pain in left arm

How to prevent a heart attack in children?

• nutritious food, in balance with vegetables and fruit eating meals.
• Do thirty minutes of physical activity every day.
• Build a good sleep routine.
• Go for an annual check-up.
• In the field of family history To find out if you have heart disease.

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