Bangalore, August 06: Hubballi’s KIMS has conducted a significant study for the first time in the country on the increasing risk of heart attack in children. This research, led by Dr. Ram Kavalagudda, has revealed alarming facts regarding children from 13 states including Karnataka.
347 children aged 8 to 18 years were included in this study. In this, 70 percent of the children were found to have risk factors that can lead to heart attack. Of these, 17 percent of the children were found to have damage to the endothelium, the lining of the heart arteries.
The study report says that increasing obesity in children, lack of physical activity, excessive consumption of junk food, cold drinks, high sugar and salt intake are all the major reasons for this risk.
If appropriate treatment and lifestyle changes are not made, these children are likely to have a heart attack in the next 10-15 years. KIMS will submit this report to the state and central governments.