St. Christopher's Hospital for Children Offers Tips for a Healthy Heart

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. Decreasing the possibility of falling victim to heart disease can start at an early age and February's American Heart Month is a great time to start. Parents can help their children stay active, eat healthy, and become aware of healthy heart habits that may reduce the risk of any future problems.

Physical activity is beneficial for a healthy heart. "Keeping your children active may decrease the risk of obesity and cardiovascular disease," says Dr. Anna O'Riordan, a pediatric cardiologist at St. Christopher's Hospital for Children. "It can build strong muscles and bones as well as reduce body fat." The American Heart Association (AHA) offers several tips for keeping children physically active:

• Every child is unique; parents should encourage physical activities that each child enjoys.
• Offer alternatives to common sports like riding bikes, swimming, gardening, or even walking the dog.
• Parents should be positive role models and practice healthy habits.
• Make exercising a fun family event.
• Limit TV, video game and computer time.

Another key to a healthy heart is establishing healthy eating habits at a young age. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), it's estimated that 10 percent of two-to-five year olds and more than 15 percent of children between the ages of six and 19 are overweight. "In addition to having health problems during their youth, these children have been found to have the risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease, which can affect them as they get older," Dr. O'Riordan says. "Encouraging children to eat a well-balanced meal will have positive long term effects." Dr. O'Riordan recommends parents follow these tips from the CDC and AHA:

• Always make fruit and vegetables available.
• Reduce portion sizes.
• Switch to whole-grain products.
• Drink plenty of water and cut out soda and juices.
• Choose lean meats.
• Limit the candy, snacks and fast food. Use these foods to reward good behavior.
• Talk with your child's doctor about the risk factors of cardiovascular indicators including body mass index (BMI), blood pressure and cholesterol.

For more information on American Heart Month and healthy hearts, visit the American Heart Association website at www.americanheart.org or the Center for Disease Control website at www.cdc.gov.

St. Christopher's Hospital for Children is a 189-bed pediatric hospital dedicated to the physical and emotional well-being of children located in Philadelphia. A leader in pediatric care since 1875, St. Christopher's nationally recognized programs provide exceptional care to children from throughout the Greater Philadelphia area and around the world. Through academic affiliations with Drexel University College of Medicine and Temple University School of Medicine, the hospital's 270 leading pediatric specialists offer clinical expertise in a wide range of advanced pediatric specialties.

St. Christopher's has a Level I Pediatric Trauma Center and its Burn Center is the only dedicated pediatric burn center in the Philadelphia area. In addition, its Sleep program is accredited by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. St. Christopher's Cystic Fibrosis Center is accredited as a Care Center by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and the hospital has one of only ten sickle cell programs in the country that has earned the designation as a Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center by the National Institutes of Health.