If your kids are on ADHD meds, you need to read the latest news from the American Heart Association.
The group is recommending children be screened for heart problems before getting drugs such as Ritalin to treat hyperactivity and attention-deficit disorder. That's because stimulant drugs can increase blood pressure and the heart rate.
They story says for most children, that isn't a problem. But the story goes on to say that "those with heart conditions, it could make them more vulnerable to sudden cardiac arrest - an erratic heartbeat that causes the heart to stop pumping blood through the body - and other heart problems."
Does this scare you? Will you be calling your doctor this evening or in the morning?
Apparently about 2.5 million American children take ADHD medication, such as Ritalin, Adderall and Concerta, to help them stay focused and control their behavior.
Arizona Moms Editor Yvette Armendariz shares stories about raising her kids and tips for busy parents in her Time-starved (goddess) Mom blog. She and her husband are raising two children, ages 8 and 11.
WOW... I'm going to send
WOW... I'm going to send this to my friend, her son takes this for adhd.. Thanks for sharing!
Elizabeth is a discussion leader for arizonamoms she writes about everything from her needing mommy advice to crazy and silly stuff that happens. She lives in the West Valley with her husband and 3 children.
I have to say I'm concerned.
I have to say I'm concerned. Kids rarely get their blood pressure taken (so parents don't have a baseline of what's normal) and they don't think of headaches as a potential sign of high blood pressure.
I was lucky my pediatrician took several reads - but not every time we visited. Now we get it every time because of his blood pressure spike after his surgery last summer. It returned to normal, but higher levels.
Then we put him back on Concerta for school and it spiked up again, so after much discussion with his doctors, we have him on a medicaiton to reduce his blood pressure. He needed the Concerta to help him avoid daydreaming in class (he's ADHD-inattentive, and believe me I was reluctant to medicate him until all my questions seem sufficiently answered) - the calls from school are so much less stressful.
I think this ADHD story should alert parents that they need to ask a lot of questions when they seek medication. I'm going to ask more at my son's long-scheduled appointment tomorrow.
Arizona Moms Editor Yvette Armendariz shares stories about raising her kids and tips for busy parents in her Time-starved (goddess) Mom blog. She and her husband are raising two children, ages 8 and 11.
When we spoke to my
When we spoke to my pediatrician several months ago about Focalin, another ADHD drug, for my 11 year old, he was aware of these new findings and ordered a battery of tests for my son prior to prescribing.
My son was fine - but as a mother, it was most comforting to know my pediatrician was on top of this information and refused to move forward without confirming there were no existing heart issues. Worth all the time and effort for the peace of mind.