The American Academy of Pediatrics has renewed the debate over heart tests for kids on Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder medication by announcing a new policy that most kids don't need a special cardiac screening.

"The pediatricians' group says advice earlier this year from the American Heart Association recommending EKGs was overzealous because these rare deaths are more common in the general population than among children on stimulants."

Approximately four million U.S. children have been diagnosed with ADHD, and about half of these children are being treated with stimulant medication. The academy agrees that children should get a thorough physical exam and their family history should be checked for heart problems, but feels EKGs are unnecessary in most cases. Source: Chicago Sun-Times

Labels: pediatricians, heart_test, stimulants

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In the wake of a recent statement by the American Heart Association that kids on ADHD medication should get an EKG to rule out heart problems, doctors on both sides of the argument have voiced their opinions. While some agree with the recommended preventative measure, others aren't so sure.

"...some physicians have balked at the EKG recommendation, saying that half of the children who died [due to ADHD medication-related heart problems] took unintentional overdoses of the drugs. And even the American Heart Association points out that ADHD medications haven't been shown to cause heart conditions or sudden cardiac death."

While the medications don't cause heart conditions, they can aggravate existing conditions. Parents need to determine what they think is best for their child and act accordingly. Source: Orlando Sentinel

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Labels: medications, heart_test

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Last week, the American Heart Association released a statement recommending that children with ADHD be given a heart test before they're prescribed any stimulant medication like Ritalin. The statement came after the AHA concluded a study which found that stimulant medication can increase cardiac risks in children with existing conditions.

"Pediatric cardiologist Darshak Sanghavi from the University of Massachusetts Medical School in Worcester said he doesn't fully agree with the AHA recommendation... '(With the AHA announcement) people have brought up this worry that ADHD medications such as Ritalin and Adderall increase the risk of heart problems,' he said Thursday in a phone interview."

While Ritalin and Adderall won't cause heart problems, they can aggravate existing heart issues, which is why the AHA released its statement. Source: Sentinel and Enterprise

Labels: medications, heart_test, stimulants

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