Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Children

Abstract

Cardiovascular morbidity and mortality are still increasing in developed countries with emphasis on the obesity epidemic. Children and young adults are no exception. With modern lifestyle, traditional cardiovascular risk factors, such as hypertension, obesity, dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, kidney damage, are increasingly present in children leading to premature cardiovascular events in adult life. Cardiovascular risk factor can accelerate naturally progressing atherosclerosis, which should be prevented to facilitate quality and longevity of life. Primary and primordial prevention in the pediatric population are of utmost importance. However, if a cardiovascular risk factor is already present, frequent monitoring of possible development of other cardiovascular risk factors and evaluation of end organ damage should be implemented to intervene in time.

How Do Minerals, Vitamins, and Intestinal Microbiota Affect the Development and Progression of Heart Disease in Adult and Pediatric Patients?

“…Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) continue to be a global health challenge, accounting for a significant number of deaths worldwide [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]. It is noteworthy that while symptoms of CVD typically manifest in adulthood, risk factors associated with the disease often emerge during childhood and adolescence [ 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 ]. Various factors contribute to the development of CVD, including family history [ 10 ], age and gender [ 11 ], high blood pressure [ 12 ], high cholesterol [ 13 ], smoking [ 14 ], diabetes [ 15 , 16 ], obesity and overweight [ 17 , 18 , 19 ], physical inactivity [ 20 ], unhealthy diet [ 21 ], and stress [ 22 , 23 ].…”