Often vascular damage in obese children

Even children can suffer from vascular damage and have an increased risk of heart attack

09/27/2013

Obesity affects not only adults, but now more and more children. Mostly, unhealthy diet and lack of exercise are the cause of obesity. Experts warn in this context of vascular damage and its consequences, which can occur even in the youngest, if they are overweight. The so-called atherosclerosis (arteriosclerosis) is considered one of the main causes of heart attack, heart failure and stroke. In the run-up to the German Conference on October 12, 2013, organized by the German Society for Vascular Surgery and Vascular Medicine (DGG), experts will explain the serious consequences of the disease.

Overweight can cause vascular damage such as arteriosclerosis in children
„Giovanni Torsello, Vice President of the DGG, explains that about 70 percent of obese children have risk factors for cardiovascular disease at an early age, as evidenced by studies on the blood vessels of obese children, which are essential in obese children Thickening is the process but reversible, the vessel walls of the children are then thinner again. „Children and adolescents should therefore be encouraged to adopt a healthy lifestyle, "says Torsello.

The vessel walls become thick in overweight children because more and more fat and lime are deposited in the form of so-called plaques on the inner walls of the arteries. The blood vessels conduct the blood from the heart to the organs, tissues and muscles. Due to the deposits, the vessel wall becomes more and more rigid and thicker. At the same time, the diameter of the arteries narrows. As a result, there are circulatory disorders that lead in the worst case - in case of obstruction by a plug of platelets - the complete vascular occlusion, an infarction.

Atherosclerosis can affect any artery. However, there is a particular danger if the circulatory disturbances occur in the cerebral veins and in the heart. They are considered the main cause of stroke and heart attack. About half of all deaths worldwide are attributed to vascular calcifications. As part of the ACTION campaign (Arteriosclerosis - Circulation and Training Information Network), the DGG draws particular attention to this topic.

60-year-old male smokers with hypertension have the highest risk of a fatal heart attack
Torsello points out that, regardless of age, a healthy diet and exercise and abstinence from nicotine are important measures to prevent atherosclerosis. „Even for long-term smokers it is worth stopping“, explains the head of the Department of Vascular Surgery at the University Hospital Münster. The highest risk individuals at risk of a fatal heart attack within ten years are 60-year-old male hypertensive smokers. „Therefore, regular monitoring of blood pressure is one of the recommended preventive measures, "advises Torsello, because many years of high blood pressure causes no discomfort, many sufferers do not even know that they have the disease.

Among the common vascular diseases is also the peripheral arterial disease (PAD), which manifests itself in the legs. Partly severe pain means that sufferers have to take breaks while walking and stop. Therefore, this circulatory disorder is also referred to as intermittent claudication.

People should have their vessels regularly examined by ultrasound from the age of 60 years. The carotid artery should also be part of the examination, because a narrowing (carotid stenosis) can cause a stroke. „Above all, people with increased risk should use every form of early detection and prevention of vascular damage, "advises the physician.