NHLBI integrated pediatric guidelines: battle for a future free of cardiovascular disease

Justin P Zachariah1, Sarah D de Ferranti

  • 1Department of Cardiology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02445, USA.

Future Cardiology
|December 25, 2012
PubMed

Insights

New guidelines focus on preventing atherosclerotic disease in children and adolescents through lifestyle changes and early risk factor identification. These controversial recommendations emphasize childhood as a key area for cardiovascular disease prevention research.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Health
  • Pediatric Medicine
  • Preventive Cardiology

Background:

  • Atherosclerotic disease prevention is crucial in pediatric populations.
  • Existing guidelines provide a framework for cardiovascular risk reduction in children and adolescents.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To summarize the evidence base for cardiovascular disease prevention in pediatric age groups.
  • To explore key facets, controversies, and future research directions of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute guidelines.

Main Methods:

  • Review of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Expert Panel on Integrated Guidelines.
  • Analysis of recommendations for lifestyle modification and risk factor treatment in children and adolescents.

Main Results:

  • Guidelines advocate for universal healthier lifestyles and identification/treatment of pediatric cardiovascular disease risk factors.
  • Recommendations include lifestyle modification and, rarely, pharmacotherapy.

Conclusions:

  • Childhood represents a critical frontier for cardiovascular disease prevention.
  • The guidelines, while controversial, stimulate important research in preventive cardiology for youth.

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