Four steps to prevent heart disease in children's future
Caring for yourself today means investing in the future. The prevention of long-term illnesses should be exercised on a day-to-day basis and from a younger age. In fact, parents can help their children maintain a good health in the long term and make the little ones enjoy a high level of well-being once they reach adulthood.
On the occasion of World No Tobacco Day, celebrated on May 31, the Spanish Association of Pediatrics, AEP, made an appeal to families to take care of the cardiovascular health of children in the long term. For this purpose, they indicate four simple steps so that children can develop in an environment that allows them to achieve this well-being in their future.
Exercise and good environment
These are the four steps suggested by AEP to achieve good long-term cardiovascular health:
1. Perform physical exercise. Pediatricians recommend physical activity and aerobic exercise for at least 30 minutes (60 in the case of children.) Among the options to do, you can include brisk walking, running, cycling or something as simple as climbing. stairs instead of the elevator, the whole family can look for a practice that they like and turn it into a routine.
2. Healthy nutrition. Bet on a healthy diet that is rich in fruits, vegetables, vegetables and legumes. As for drinks, water is the best option compared to soft drinks with high sugar levels. It is advisable to avoid foods with excessive fats, sugars and salt.
3. Consumption of tobacco and alcohol and other drugs. Both tobacco and alcohol are related to heart disease. In the case of smoking parents, it is recommended to reduce the presence of cigarettes at home and, especially, in reduced environments such as the car or a room where minors are present. In the case of adolescents, it is essential to warn of the dangers they face.
4. Contribute to mitigate air pollution. Air pollution is related to 19% of all cardiovascular mortality, that is, up to a quarter of myocardial infarctions. Using public transport where possible, participating in initiatives to increase green areas will help to improve this context.
Damián Montero