Can Kids Have Heart Attacks?

Like any other elementary school kid, Jane was playing with her friends when she suddenly fell to the ground and became unconscious. Without wasting any second, a staff member performed CPR upon finding that Jane was experiencing chaotic heartbeats and wasn’t breathing too well. The 911 dispatcher guided the teacher until help arrived. Meanwhile, the staff was able to get the area sheriff involved, who continued the process along with a defibrillator to get Jane conscious. Although Jane was taken away by the ambulance and had a long road to recovery, lifesaving CPR improved the outcome. This is a perfect example of receiving the necessary training, acting promptly, and saving someone’s life.
The number of American adults living with heart conditions has always been widely reported. But we do not realize that cardiovascular problems can affect little hearts too. Over 40,000 infants are born with birth defects of the heart, out of which almost 25% require invasive treatments right in the first year.  The condition is no better for older kids, and heart-related issues, especially heart attack and heart failure, are becoming commonplace. To find more information about children’s heart risks check out the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.