Cardiovascular Health! (Kid Version)
Your heart is a muscle in your body that works so hard to keep you moving! If you put your hand over the left side of your chest, you could probably feel it beating! What would happen if your heart got sick? How would your heart be sick in the first place?
These problems fall under the category of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Cardio- comes from the Greek word for heart, and -vascular represents blood cells and blood vessels. Some examples of CVDs are:
Heart attack- happens when the artery giving your heart air and blood gets blocked, making your heart have trouble beating. The symptoms for it will vary between people, and women often ignore it more than others. The most common symptom is chest pain.
Arrhythmia- is a condition where the heart beats at a different rate. Symptoms may include fluttering in the chest, chest pain, fainting, dizziness, or no symptoms at all.
Stroke- happens when a part of the brain does not get enough blood due to a clot or blood vessel. The symptoms of this are sudden numbness, trouble walking, or trouble with speaking.
Heart muscle disease- the medical term being cardiomyopathy, is where your heart acts like a stone. Some symptoms include swelling in the feet and ankles, dizziness, fatigue, and shortness of breath.
Many of these are caused by unhealthy eating, not exercising, and stress. Even though CVDs can be scary, there are many things you can do to prevent them and maintain a strong heart! Eat healthily and exercise daily to keep your heart and cardiovascular system working.
A balanced diet with fruits, vegetables, dairy, protein, and grains is one of the best ways to keep your heart physically fit. It is also important to limit junk food or fast food. Exercise strengthens your heart, too, which is why experts recommend 60 minutes of activity most days a week. By keeping up a healthy daily routine, you can ensure a strong heart for many years to come!
To Parents:
This article introduces children to the idea of CVD. We may overlook their need to learn about this, but it is vital to educate them. We hope that, even after they read this article, they will research and learn more about the heart and how they can keep themselves healthy. Teach your children about health and encourage them to get a healthy lifestyle, whether by eating three balanced meals a day or play a sport with them. Look for more articles from the Colors for Coats team at Masuk. Thank you!
Words:
Artery- Muscular-walled tubes that carry blood
Clot- A thick mass of blood
Blood Vessel- Tubes through which blood moves in the body
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