Newswise — New York City, NY (September 22, 2011) – The first weeks of school are stressful enough on children, but how much more so for children with underlying heart problems. Parents of children who have been diagnosed with cardiac problems such as a heart murmur or irregular heart beat, or whose family has a history of heart problems, should be specially vigilant. The following information from the Pediatric Heart Center of The Children’s Hospital at Montefiore should be considered by parents of children at risk for heart disease:
Annual Physical: Avoiding Sudden Cardiac Death on the Playing FieldSudden cardiac death or SCD is the leading cause of death in athletes and remains one of the most devastating medical events in sports. Though the condition is rare, occurring in only 2 out of 100,000 children each year, it is the leading cause of death in young athletes. SCD may be due to a genetic predisposition or undiagnosed congenital heart disease, heart arrhythmia or abnormalities in the coronary arteries. Pediatricians recommend that every child have an annual physical prior to participating in strenuous exercise or competitive sports. If any heart irregularities are detected, a pediatric cardiologist should be consulted for an electrocardiogram (EKG) or an Echocardiogram, which uses sonar to diagnose congenital heart problems. Daphne Hsu, MD, Chief of Pediatric Cardiology at The Children’s Hospital at Montefiore, has been an advocate for increased cardiac testing of young athletes to prevent sudden cardiac death on the playing fields.-Daphne Hsu, MD, Chief of Pediatric Cardiology, The Children’s Hospital at Montefiore
CardioGeneticsMontefiore Einstein Center for CardioGenetics offers screening, counseling and treatment to patients who may be at risk for inherited diseases that can trigger Sudden Cardiac Death, as well as other genetic diseases that cause arrhythmias. In fact, about 30% of sudden cardiac death is caused by a single defective gene which causes a disruption of the electrical system of the heart. The program is directed by cardiologist Christine Walsh, MD and geneticist Robert Marion, MD, of The Children’s Hospital at Montefiore, one of only a handful of programs in the world studying the hereditary markers that can cause sudden cardiac death. -Christine Walsh, MD, and Robert Marion, MD, Co-Directors of the Montefiore-Einstein Center for CardioGenetics
Living with a Heart MurmurHeart Murmurs - an extra or unusual sound heard during a heartbeat -- are extremely common findings in infants and children. About 95 percent of heart murmurs are "innocent" and have no effect on a child's health. About 5% are abnormal murmurs resulting from congenital heart defects or heart muscle functional problems. Doctors can detect a murmur through a stethoscope and based on that evaluation can determine if the murmur is abnormal or innocent. If innocent, the child can be as active as other children. If the murmur is abnormal the child should be evaluated by a pediatric cardiologist. The Montefiore Einstein Pediatric Heart Center at The Children’s Hospital at Montefiore, recognized as one of the best children’s hospitals in America, has the ability to diagnose and treat any acquired or congenital children’s heart abnormality.-Leo Lopez, MD, Director of Non-Invasive Imaging, Pediatric Cardiology, The Children’s Hospital at Montefiore
Automated External Defibrillators: A Matter of Life or DeathAn Automated External Defibrillator (AED) is a lifesaving tool that every school teacher and coach should have access to in case of an emergency. If a child suffers a life threatening arrhythmia or cardiac arrest during school or on the playing field, the mobile technology can help shock the heart muscle to restore a normal heart beat. It is important to check if your school and child's coach have access to an AED and are trained to use it to treat your child in case they suffer a cardiac event. Several states have laws about AEDs in school. New York State, for example, requires schools to have access to an AED. The technology is even required to be present at extracurricular activities at schools and at athletic events on and off school grounds in New York. -Daphne Hsu, MD, Chief of Pediatric Cardiology, The Children’s Hospital at Montefiore
Pediatric CPRCardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is a combination of rescue breathing and chest compressions delivered to victims thought to be in cardiac arrest. Would you know how to perform Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation on a child or infant if it was necessary? Cardiac arrest due to heart failure in a child rarely happens but is more likely due to an injury such as poisoning, smoke inhalation, or head trauma, which causes the breathing to stop first. The brain may sustain damage after blood flow has been stopped for about four minutes and irreversible damage after about seven minutes. How can you tell if a child's airway is blocked or if they are experiencing cardiac distress? What are the different types of cardiac disturbances and what should you know to properly respond? What techniques should be used to for each age group? The Children’s Hospital at Montefiore works with the American Red Cross and the NYC Fire Department to encourage parents to take Pediatric CPR courses.-Scott Ceresnak, MD, Pediatric Cardiologist, The Children’s Hospital at Montefiore
Montefiore Medical CenterAs the University Hospital for Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore is a premier academic medical center nationally renowned for its clinical excellence, scientific discovery and commitment to its community. Recognized among the top hospitals nationally and ranked sixth out of 180 in the New York metropolitan area by U.S. News & World Report, Montefiore provides compassionate, patient- and family-centered care and educates the healthcare professionals of tomorrow. The Children’s Hospital at Montefiore is consistently named in U.S. News ’ “America’s Best Children’s Hospitals,” and is second among those in the New York metro area. With four hospitals, 1,491 beds and 93,000 annual hospital discharges, Montefiore is an integrated health system seamlessly linked by advanced technology. State-of-the-art primary and specialty care is provided through a network of nearly 100 locations across the region, including the largest school health program in the nation and a home health program. Montefiore derives its inspiration for excellence from its patients and community, and continues to be on the frontlines of developing innovative approaches to care. For more information please visit www.montefiore.org and www.montekids.org.
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